Patient Care Technician Adult Surgical Step-down Unit FT Night - University

IU Health•Indianapolis, IN

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA) provides bedside care and helps create a positive patient experience by anticipating patient needs. Tasks include providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, assisting with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The PCA 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 assessment 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 role requires compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. This is a full-time night-shift position.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program; other advanced life support certifications may be required for some unit or department specialties.
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 despite 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 such as PCA/PCR/PCI.
Knowledge of infection-control principles.
Ability to perform physically demanding and repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.
Knowledge of personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to help prevent infection of patients, self, and others.

Responsibilities

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