Patient Care Technician - Med/Surg - FT Nights

Hackensack Meridian Health•Manahawkin, NJ

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct and indirect care to a specific patient population as part of an interdisciplinary team. Under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, the technician supports patient outcomes, satisfaction, comfort, and safety while building knowledge and skills. The role includes patient care, unit and environmental tasks, communication with patients and colleagues, participation in patient safety and performance-improvement activities, and collaboration on care planning from admission through discharge. The technician performs clinical and support duties such as collecting and documenting vital signs and other clinical data, obtaining specimens and performing venipuncture, conducting EKGs and glucose finger sticks, assisting with hygiene and comfort, helping patients with meals and transport, preparing rooms and equipment, and reporting changes in patient condition to the RN. Care is adapted to patients’ age and individual needs, including cultural, language, developmental, educational, and sensory considerations.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent GED program.
Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, or Patient Care Technician program; a Fundamentals of Nursing program from an accredited nursing school; the HMH PCT Apprenticeship Program; or equivalent medical-background experience such as EMT, Home Health Aide, CMA, MA, PCT, or Nursing Assistant.
Candidates who have not completed one of the listed programs but meet the other requirements may be considered for selection into the HMH PCT Apprentice Program; successful completion results in transfer to the Patient Care Technician role.
Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing patient needs.
Accountability, teamwork, commitment to ongoing education, and ability and passion to deliver high-quality, patient-focused care and service.
AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience or certification in phlebotomy, EKGs, vital signs, and blood sugar checks.
At least one year of PCT or CNA experience in a hospital setting, or eligibility for the HMH PCT Apprentice Program.
CNA, CMA, or PCT certification from a program that includes phlebotomy, EKG, and nursing-assistant coursework in both theoretical and clinical settings.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care appropriate to patients’ physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, age, and other needs.
Promote safe and effective patient outcomes through sound practice, judgment, and timely actions.
Communicate with patients, nursing colleagues, and other members of the health care team about patient status and care provided.
Participate in interdisciplinary care planning from admission through discharge and support safe transitions and continuity of care.
Participate in unit and department performance-improvement activities and patient-safety initiatives.
Welcome patients and verify proper identification bracelets.
Prepare patients for assessment, admission, physical examinations, and procedures.
Respond to opportunities to improve patient satisfaction.
Obtain and document temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, weights, intake and output, and glucose finger-stick results; promptly notify the RN of abnormal results or changes in condition.
Collect, label, process, and transport blood and other specimens using appropriate techniques; perform venipuncture for laboratory tests.
Perform EKGs as directed.
Check that necessary equipment is present, functional, and clean; check and maintain code carts, oxygen, and other emergency equipment as directed.
Apply bandages, slings, compression boots, and hypothermia blankets as directed by the RN.
Assist with patient transportation to departments or units.
Assist patients with meals or feeding as needed.
Check and restock assigned-area inventory as directed and prepare room environments for admissions.
Provide hygiene and comfort care, including bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, incontinence care, and bed making.
Assist patients with dressing and undressing; manage belongings and completed property checklists and monitor the return of clothing to family.
Provide post-mortem care.
Answer call lights promptly and help maintain a safe patient environment.
Identify patient-specific needs and adapt care and communication to patients’ age, culture, language, literacy, developmental level, and hearing or visual needs.
Take initiative to improve job performance and complete other assigned duties or projects.
Adhere to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.