Patient Care Technician - FT Day Adult Medical Unit - Methodist

IU Health•Indianapolis, IN

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA) is a non-licensed team member who works under the direction of a registered nurse (RN), providing care to designated patients and supporting the patient care team. The role focuses on delivering a positive patient experience by anticipating needs and assisting with activities of daily living, including providing drinks, helping with meal ordering, encouraging walking, assisting with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The PCA also assists with mobility, continuous observation including suicide prevention, and maintaining clean and orderly patient surroundings. The PCA provides clinical assistance to the bedside RN by obtaining vital signs and promptly reporting abnormalities or changes in a patient's behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse. Patient safety is maintained through appropriate precautions, including using gait belts and bed and chair alarms and remaining within arm's reach of patients when they are moving. The role requires compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, demanding environment.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
Advanced life support certifications may be required depending on 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 concentrate amid frequent interruptions and variable noise levels.
Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in resolving problems.
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.
Knowledge of infection-control principles and of personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to help prevent infection.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.

Responsibilities

Anticipate patients' needs and support a positive patient experience.
Provide activities of daily living, including drinks, assistance with meal ordering and bathing, and clean linens and gowns.
Encourage walking and provide mobility assistance.
Obtain vital signs and report abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Maintain patient safety using measures such as gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and stay within arm's reach of patients while they move.
Provide continuous observation, including suicide prevention.
Keep patient surroundings clean and orderly.
Support designated patients and the patient care team under the direction of an RN.