Patient Care Technician Adult Cardiac Medical Observation Unit PT Day-Ball Memorial

Indiana University Health System•Muncie, DE

About The Position

IU Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician, also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA, to provide bedside care and a positive patient experience in the Adult Cardiac Medical Observation Unit. The role involves anticipating patients’ needs by providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, assisting with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The technician provides clinical assistance to bedside registered nurses by obtaining vital signs and promptly reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse. Patient safety is maintained through appropriate safety measures, including gait belts, bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm’s reach of patients during movement. The position requires compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. It requires current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA or completion of the IU Health PCA education program, with additional life support certifications potentially required according to unit or department specialty and patient care policies. The role also requires knowledge of care appropriate to patients’ ages and developmental levels, patient-care procedures and standards, infection control, and the equipment and software used in the non-licensed role.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
Other advanced life support certifications may be required according to 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 maintain concentration amid frequent 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, or PCI.
Knowledge of infection-control principles and good personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to prevent infection of patients, self, and others.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and meet patients’ bedside needs, including providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, assisting with baths, and providing 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 compassionate bedside care and clinical assistance to registered nurses.