Patient Care Technician - Post Surgical Unit (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC • Harrisburg, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct patient care under the direction of an RN in the Post Surgical Unit at Harrisburg Hospital. The role supports patients with activities of daily living and promotes a safe, clean environment conducive to recovery. The technician performs nursing-assistant core duties, communicates patient status and care needs to the RN, supports unit operations, and documents care according to established procedures. Access to medications is limited to distributing medication to the nurse.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Successful completion of the UPMC nursing assistant training program.
• Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.
• CPR required within 30 days of hire, following AHA standards that include didactic instruction and skills demonstration.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Act 34 clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under RN direction, including bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning, repositioning, transporting, and other activities of daily living.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized patient-care environment; complete safety checks, clean department equipment, change bed linens, empty linen hampers, keep hallways clear, and return equipment.
• Acquire, distribute, order, and charge or credit supplies and equipment; set up patient-care equipment within the scope of the nursing assistant role and stock patient rooms and unit supply areas.
• Perform nursing-assistant core duties, including blood glucose and other point-of-care testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, and intra-hospital transportation procedures.
• Provide feedback to the RN and report changes in patient status; respond within the nursing assistant role to emergent situations.
• Apply, monitor, and remove restraints in accordance with physician or hospital protocol, and provide diversional activities to reduce or prevent restraint use.
• Provide one-on-one companionship and supervision when required.
• Support patient safety and prevention of hospital-acquired conditions and patient safety indicators; comply with safety policies, standard precautions, and blood-borne pathogen exposure procedures.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with the healthcare team, establish respectful working relationships, and demonstrate accountability, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
• Receive feedback and direction constructively, identify learning needs, seek assistance with planning and prioritizing, and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
• Support universal unit activities, including answering call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, delivering nourishments, filling water pitchers, distributing patient mail, and transporting patients.
• Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and support changes that improve department operations.
• Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete clerical functions as needed.
• Strictly adhere to policies and practices relating to patient care and hospital information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED