Patient Care Technician - Emergency Department (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

23h

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides patient care in the Emergency Department, including assistance with procedures and activities of daily living, physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies, and patient and family instruction under the direction of an RN. The technician reports changes in patient status and provides feedback to the RN. The role requires competency in UPMC nursing assistant responsibilities and additional patient care skills, including point-of-care testing and department-specific advanced skills based on operational needs. The technician communicates and works effectively with the healthcare team, supports patient and workplace safety, follows patient-care and hospital information policies, and documents care according to established procedures. The role also includes clerical and universal unit tasks, timely completion of assigned work, reporting equipment malfunctions, and participating in departmental projects and quality initiatives. Title and starting pay rate may vary based on years of experience.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet one of the following experience or education pathways: one year of general healthcare experience; six months of experience as a UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire, transfer, or promotion for those with less than one year of experience; enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, or related healthcare training program with at least one clinical rotation completed; or completion of a bachelor's degree in a health sciences field.
Successful completion of the UPMC patient care technician class.
Successful completion of eRecord training.
CPR certification based on AHA standards, including didactic and skills demonstration components, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting clearance with renewal.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic qualification, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program.
ACLS certification.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care, assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living, and assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Report changes in patient status and provide feedback to the RN.
Perform UPMC nursing assistant responsibilities, including blood glucose testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, and assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Perform required or assigned technical tasks, which may include phlebotomy, 12-lead EKGs, simple dressings, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scans, straight catheterization, IV catheter removal, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, restraint placement, monitoring and removal, and intra-hospital transportation.
Achieve and maintain competency in, or perform based on department operational need, one or more advanced skills such as phlebotomy or venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia recognition, 12-lead EKGs, and NG tube clamping and removal.
Receive feedback and direction constructively; communicate learning needs; seek assistance with planning and prioritizing; and participate in self-review as requested.
Provide instruction to patients and families under RN direction.
Communicate clearly and effectively with members of the healthcare team and demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Support workplace safety, follow standard precautions and other safety procedures, and comply with policies concerning patient care and hospital information.
Suggest and support departmental changes, take responsibility for assignments, and contribute to department projects and quality initiatives.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete assigned work and clerical functions in a timely manner.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department.
Contribute to universal unit activities, including responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.