Patient Care Technician - ED Observation - UPMC Community Osteopathic

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

UPMC Community Osteopathic is seeking a Patient Care Technician for its ED Observation Unit. The role performs patient-care duties, including assisting with procedures and activities of daily living, documenting care in the medical record, reporting equipment malfunctions, and supporting universal unit activities. The technician communicates with patients, families, colleagues, and other departments, provides feedback to the RN, reports changes in patient status, and gives patient and family instruction under the RN’s direction. This is a casual position with rotating day and night shifts based on unit needs. The schedule requires 36 hours over six weeks, including 16 weekend hours, and one major and one minor holiday per year. Title and starting pay rate may vary based on experience. Medication access is limited to distributing medication to the nurse.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must meet one of the following: one year of general healthcare experience; enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, RN, 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 basic information system training.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
CPR certification based on AHA standards, including didactic and skills demonstration components, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 34 clearance.
Ability to achieve all required competencies.

Nice To Haves

Microcomputer experience.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic qualification, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program.

Responsibilities

Assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living, including bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Perform assigned nursing assistant duties and required patient-care competencies, including point-of-care testing such as blood glucose, weights, vital signs, intake and output, telemetry monitor application and reapplication, HAC and PSI prevention measures, simple dressings, restraints, 12-lead EKGs, bladder scans, and specimen collection.
Achieve and maintain competency in at least one advanced skill based on department needs: peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia, or NG tube clamping and removal.
Assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN; apply, monitor, and remove restraints in accordance with physician or hospital protocol.
Provide feedback to the RN about patient care and report changes in patient status.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete department clerical functions as needed.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments.
Support universal unit activities, including responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.
Follow patient-care, hospital-information, and safety policies and procedures, including standard precautions.
Complete assigned work in a timely and productive manner and take responsibility for assignments and prioritization.
Receive feedback and direction constructively, identify learning needs, seek assistance as needed, and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Maintain professional, respectful, and productive relationships with patients, families, colleagues, and other departments.
Support department changes, projects, and quality initiatives and demonstrate accountability, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.