Patient Care Technician PCT - Ortho/Neuro Surgical - FT Days

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works on the 26-bed Ortho/Neuro unit, which provides care for patients undergoing elective orthopedic joint replacement surgeries, neurosurgical procedures, orthopedic trauma during periods of high census, and medical overflow. The unit has two rooms that can be used as negative-pressure rooms and two rooms equipped with bariatric ceiling lifts. Patients and their families receive physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial support. The unit collaborates with the Joints in Motion program to provide comprehensive pre- and post-operative education for total joint patients. The technician supports patients and nursing staff by collecting and reporting basic physiological data, assisting with mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, positioning, and comfort, monitoring intake and output, and promptly reporting changes in patient condition. The role also includes patient communication and orientation, documentation, responding to call lights, maintaining a safe and clean environment, transporting patients, restocking supplies, and completing unit and annual competency requirements. The position requires flexibility to meet department staffing needs.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or a high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level.
No previous experience is required.
Good interpersonal skills.
Physical ability to push and pull patients.
Ability to adapt to changing situations and work assignments.
Ability to accept direction from professional nursing staff and perform basic technical skills and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Basic bilingual language skills are preferred.
Current and active CNA certification, successful completion of the Foundations of Nursing course for RN students, or at least six months of PCT experience within the past two years may qualify candidates to avoid enrollment in the PCT Academy.

Responsibilities

Obtain and report basic patient physiological data, including vital signs, weight, skin condition, color, and urine and stool characteristics.
Use proper body mechanics and assist with positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort needs according to procedure and direction.
Monitor oral intake and urine output and record amounts on appropriate forms.
Promptly identify and report physical or mental status changes to the licensed staff assigned to the patient.
Organize patient care, set priorities, and implement physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the parameters of the job description and report patient responses to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent patient-room rounds and respond to call lights without prompting, taking appropriate action.
Orient patients and their families or significant others to the unit and room, and greet them pleasantly.
Explain procedures and care to patients before beginning.
Accurately and promptly record patient data and forward it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
Become proficient with required IT systems to support clinical staff and accurate documentation.
Answer telephone calls politely, screen and refer calls appropriately, direct patient-care orders to licensed staff, and accurately relay requests.
Place reports, such as X-ray reports, in the patient chart or ensure they are sent to the appropriate units.
Follow Universal Precautions and NGHS hand-hygiene policy; use personal protective equipment appropriately and help maintain a safe patient environment.
Obtain and restock isolation supplies, clean and document equipment, maintain equipment in working order, and promptly report equipment issues to the charge nurse.
Distribute linen and ice and offer refreshments as permitted by the patient's diet.
Replace telemetry batteries as needed.
Transport patients as needed by the unit.
Clean and restock, change sharps containers when two-thirds full, and replace glove boxes and disinfectant wipes in patient rooms.
Prepare rooms for new admissions, including stocking PPE, turning down the bed, and making appropriate supplies or equipment available.
Participate in staff meetings, with no more than two absences per year.
Read and respond to emails in a timely manner.
Exhibit flexibility in scheduling to meet department staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.