Patient Care Technician Adult Progressive Care Unit PT Night- Ball Memorial

IU Health•Muncie, IN

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA) provides bedside care and supports a positive patient experience by anticipating patient needs. This includes providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, helping with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The technician provides clinical assistance to bedside registered nurses by obtaining vital signs and reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse to support timely 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. This is a part-time night shift position in the Adult Progressive Care Unit at Ball Memorial. The role requires compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment while managing competing priorities and frequent interruptions.

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 a limited time for completion.
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, 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 prevent infection of patients, self, and others.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and respond to patients’ bedside needs, including providing drinks and assisting with meal ordering.
Encourage patients to walk and assist them with baths.
Provide patients with 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, bed and chair alarms, and remaining within arm’s reach of patients when they are moving.
Perform patient care activities in accordance with applicable procedures, standards, and infection-control principles.