Patient Care Technician Adult Surgical Unit FT Day - Ball Memorial

IU Health•Muncie, IN

About The Position

IU Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician (also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA) for the Adult Surgical Unit at Ball Memorial. As a bedside caregiver, the technician provides a positive patient experience by anticipating patient needs, including providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, assisting with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The technician provides clinical assistance to the bedside RN by obtaining vital signs and reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse to support timely detection and treatment. Patient safety is maintained through measures such as using gait belts and bed and chair alarms and staying within arm’s reach of patients while they move. The position requires compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. It also requires knowledge and skills related to patient care, infection control, communication, organization, prioritization, and physically demanding tasks.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
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 and varied 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/PCI.
Knowledge of infection control principles.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.
Knowledge of good personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to prevent infection of patients, self, and others.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and meet patients’ needs, including providing drinks and assisting with meal ordering.
Encourage patients to walk and assist with baths.
Provide patients with clean linens and gowns.
Obtain vital signs and report abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Use safety measures such as gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and stay within arm’s reach of patients when they are moving.
Provide clinical assistance to bedside registered nurses.