Patient Care Technician - ED (Hanover)

UPMC•Hanover, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides patient care in the Emergency Department, assisting with procedures and activities of daily living, supporting physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies, and reporting patient-status changes to the RN. The role includes UPMC nursing assistant responsibilities and department-specific clinical tasks, with advanced skills performed based on operational need. The technician communicates effectively with the healthcare team, patients, and families; provides patient and family instruction under RN direction; and may apply, monitor, and remove restraints according to physician or hospital protocol. The role also includes documenting care, completing clerical functions as needed, reporting equipment malfunctions, and contributing to unit activities and quality initiatives. Access to medications is limited to distributing medication to the nurse.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One of the following: one year of general healthcare experience; six months of experience as a UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire, transfer, or promotion for those with less than one year of experience; enrollment in a PT/OT/PA program or related healthcare training program with at least one clinical rotation completed; or a bachelor's degree in a health sciences field.
Successful completion of the UPMC patient care technician class.
Successful completion of eRecord training.
CPR certification based on AHA standards, including didactic instruction and a skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting clearance with renewal.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic certification, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Responsibilities

Assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living, including bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Report changes in patient status to the RN and provide feedback regarding patient care.
Perform nursing assistant responsibilities such as blood glucose testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, and patient-safety and hospital-acquired-condition indicators.
Perform department-identified tasks, which may include phlebotomy, 12-lead EKGs, simple dressings, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scans, straight catheterization, and IV catheter removal.
Perform simple dressings, apply and remove restraints, conduct bladder scans, collect specimens, and support intra-hospital transportation using ticket-to-ride procedures.
Achieve and maintain competency in, or perform as needed, at least one advanced skill such as phlebotomy or venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia, 12-lead EKG, or NG-tube clamping and removal.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments.
Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, and transport patients as part of universal unit activities.
Receive feedback and direction constructively; identify learning needs; seek assistance with planning and prioritizing; and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN.
Communicate clearly with healthcare team members and demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Support workplace safety for patients and self, and comply with patient-care, information, and safety policies, including standard precautions.
Develop and maintain productive working relationships, demonstrating accountability, enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Support departmental changes, projects, and quality initiatives; take responsibility for assignments and contribute to efficient department operations.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete assigned work and departmental clerical functions in a timely manner.
Participate in self-review as requested by the unit director.