Patient Care Technician - Endoscopy Days - 24hrs/wk.

umhealthwest•Wyoming, MI

16h

About The Position

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), the Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to support the unit. This position is in Endoscopy, works days, and is 24 hours per week (0.6 FTE). It is not on-call, and weekends are not required. The PCT assists with patient activities of daily living, comfort, hygiene, nutrition, elimination, and procedures within the stated scope. The role also includes collecting specimens, performing specified tests and measurements, using equipment safely, following infection-control precautions, documenting care as directed by the RN, and communicating with patients and care-team members. Other duties may be assigned to facilitate department efficiency and support ongoing knowledge of department processes.

Requirements

Minimum high school diploma or GED.
Meet at least one of the following: current Certified Nurse Aide (CENA) certification; current enrollment and continued progression in a health science program; or equivalent experience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider certification.
Ability to successfully complete unit-specific core competencies defined in the orientation checklist.

Nice To Haves

For applicants enrolled in a health science program, completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation is preferred. Considered programs include nursing school, pre-PA school, medical school, or a closely related health science program.
Equivalent experience may include Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Medical First Responder, EMT, Nurse Tech, Resident Aid/Assistant, or LPN experience.
Basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and patient confidentiality is preferred.
Experience in an acute care or extended care facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with activities of daily living and comfort, including making beds, turning and positioning, ambulating, dangling, transferring, and performing passive or assisting with active range-of-motion exercises.
Assist patients with hygiene activities.
Provide indwelling urinary catheter care, excluding insertion, removal, and irrigation; change non-sterile dressings; provide ileostomy or colostomy care; and assist with postmortem care.
Assist with nutrition by passing trays, snacks, and drinking water; feeding patients; and measuring and recording dietary intake.
Assist with elimination needs, accurately record intake and output, and empty other drains as designated by the RN.
Collect and label sputum, urine, and stool specimens for laboratory testing; test urine for sugar, acetone, blood, or pH; strain urine for kidney stones; and use a glucometer to test blood glucose levels.
Measure and record vital signs and weight, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, using the specified scales as appropriate.
Use equipment and supplies safely and appropriately, including assisting with incentive spirometry; setting up oxygen flow meters and suction equipment; disposing of suction canisters; and applying or removing the listed therapeutic and support devices.
Help control the spread of infection by using aseptic technique and standard precautions, caring for patients under special isolation precautions, handling clean and soiled linen appropriately, replacing full sharps containers, and cleaning equipment between patients and before return to Central Processing Department (CPD).
Document care as directed by the RN.
Communicate using Vocera, unit paging, telephone, and pneumatic tube systems; answer patient call lights; report observations to the RN; keep the RN informed of care delivered; and maintain patient confidentiality.
Perform other assigned duties, including tasks delegated by the RN in charge to support department efficiency, maintaining knowledge of department processes and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education, and participating in committees, task forces, or work groups as determined by management.