Patient Care Technician Adult Coronary Critical Care Unit PT Rotating - Methodist

Indiana University Health System•Indianapolis, IN

21h

About The Position

IU Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician, also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA, to provide bedside care in the Adult Coronary Critical Care Unit at Methodist. The role focuses on delivering a positive patient experience by anticipating patient needs, including providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, helping with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The technician provides clinical support to bedside registered nurses by obtaining vital signs and promptly reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse. Patient safety is maintained through appropriate safety measures, including gait belts, bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm’s reach of patients while they move around. The position requires current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of that certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program. Additional advanced life support certifications may be required depending on unit or department specialty and patient care policies. The role requires knowledge of age- and developmentally appropriate care, current patient care procedures and standards, infection control, and the procedures, equipment, software, and standards applicable to non-licensed patient care roles. The technician must be able to communicate effectively, exercise judgment and initiative, prioritize and organize a high workload, maintain concentration amid interruptions and variable noise, and perform physically demanding repetitive movements. Basic reading and math skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of hygiene and aseptic techniques are also required.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
Additional advanced life support certifications may be required according to unit or department specialty and patient care policies.
Knowledge of care appropriate to the age and developmental level of patients served.
Up-to-date knowledge of procedures and standards related to patient care activities.
Proficiency in interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to maintain mental awareness and withstand a high level of tension and stress.
Ability to maintain concentration amid frequent interruptions and variable noise levels.
Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in resolving problems encountered.
Ability to set priorities and manage a high workload within limited time.
Knowledge of procedures, equipment, software, and standards related to patient care activities performed by non-licensed roles such as PCA, PCR, or PCI.
Knowledge of infection control principles and personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to prevent infection of patients, self, and others.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and meet patients’ bedside needs, including providing drinks and assisting with meal ordering.
Encourage patients to walk and assist with baths.
Provide clean linens and gowns.
Obtain vital signs and provide clinical assistance to the bedside RN.
Report abnormalities or changes in a patient’s behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse for prompt assessment and treatment.
Use safety measures such as gait belts, bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm’s reach of patients when they are moving around.
Follow applicable patient care procedures, standards, infection control principles, and aseptic techniques.