PCT II/III, Cardiac Stepdown Unit, 40 Hours, Days

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

1d•$20 - $29

About The Position

Under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician and in accordance with unit-specific standards, the Patient Care Technician provides care to meet patients’ personal needs and comfort and assists the healthcare team. The position serves patients, nurses, physicians, and colleagues as an integral member of the patient care team. Advancement to PCT II requires meeting the full competencies outlined by Nursing Professional Practice. PCT III positions add specialty duties and are available to technicians performing unit secretary duties, telemetry or remote video monitoring, or working in designated higher-acuity and specialty settings. On the Cardiac Stepdown Unit, PCT III technicians are cross-trained in phlebotomy, telemetry competencies, and unit clerk duties, and may be assigned to higher-acuity areas. This is a 40-hour-per-week day-shift position, scheduled 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The schedule includes every other weekend and every other holiday. The stated hiring range is $19.74–$28.59 based on a full-time schedule; final compensation depends on scheduled hours, experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. A $3,000 signing bonus may be available to eligible external new hires, subject to rules and restrictions. The work takes place indoors in a patient-care environment and involves standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, and potentially pushing heavy equipment. The role requires hand dexterity, hearing and vision to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient conditions, as well as the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. The work is described as heavy demand.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
Current Basic Life Support certification.
Demonstrated competency attainment at the PCT II level.
Prior inpatient or outpatient care experience, or clinical care training.
Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly and concisely in English.
Medical terminology knowledge.
Computer skills.
Strong interpersonal skills to gather information, build collaborative relationships across the department and organization, and provide exceptional patient service.
Proven problem-solving ability in routine situations and willingness to seek assistance from identified resources when additional direction is needed.
Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergency situations.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; hand dexterity, hearing, and vision sufficient to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient observations.

Responsibilities

Communicate observations and patient changes promptly and clearly to the RN, including changes in skin condition, vital signs, or mental status.
Provide constant observation of high-risk patients when assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
Help maintain a safe environment, use de-escalation interventions, and participate in restraints in accordance with training, education, and direction when needed.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, ambulation, meals, and nourishment.
Move, lift, position, and transport patients using proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
Perform patient safety checks, use directed fall-prevention strategies, and follow restraint policy standards when caring for restrained patients.
Take and record temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry; measure and record patients’ height and weight.
Perform EKGs, point-of-care tests, and bladder scans according to hospital standards; collect, label, and prepare specimens for laboratory transport.
Perform phlebotomy in designated locations.
Respond sensitively to patients’ needs, provide information, and build positive rapport and relationships.
Perform unit-specific procedures, such as changing telemetry batteries, checking equipment status, cleaning equipment between patients, and storing supplies properly.
Assist an RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing patients and equipment, setting up supplies, using sterile technique when indicated, positioning and supporting patients, and cleaning up afterward.
Observe, measure, and record oral food and fluid intake; prepare full-strength tube-feeding solutions and refill bags as directed; empty and record approved outputs; and perform directed ostomy care for established ostomates.
Answer telephones courteously, take and relay messages, and use departmental communication systems such as pagers and intercoms.
Replenish patient and unit supplies and equipment.
Stay current with hospital and unit changes by reviewing communication boards, books, notices, and email regularly.
Perform applicable PCT III specialty duties. Unit secretaries assist with admissions, transfers, and discharges at least five shifts (40 hours) every six months, maintain logs and medical records, organize patient care charts, and enter or retrieve information in electronic medical records. Remote video monitoring technicians continuously observe multiple patients using the monitoring system. PCT IIIs in designated specialty areas may perform associated specialty duties; telemetry-certified and Step-Down Unit PCT IIIs are cross-trained in phlebotomy, telemetry, and unit clerk competencies.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, and health and safety requirements.
Attend meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed, and apply quality improvement in daily work.
Demonstrate respect for diverse views and contribute to a professional, civil, tolerant, and accepting environment.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and perform other related duties as required or directed.