Patient Care Technician

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

13d

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse (RN), supports patients with activities of daily living, and helps maintain a safe, clean environment conducive to patient care and recovery. The role also supports the unit by distributing supplies and equipment, assisting with patient comfort and transport, and completing nursing-assistant duties within the scope of the position. The technician performs patient-care tasks such as point-of-care testing, vital signs, weights, intake and output measurements, specimen collection, Foley care, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, and restraint placement or removal according to applicable protocols. The role includes documenting care, reporting changes in patient status and equipment malfunctions, responding to emergent situations within role scope, and providing one-on-one companionship or supervision when required. The position also contributes to unit operations through communication and teamwork, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, completing clerical tasks, and supporting patient safety practices. The technician is expected to seek feedback, identify learning needs, and take steps to improve knowledge and performance.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Successful completion of the UPMC nursing assistant training program.
Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.
CPR certification based on American Heart Association standards, including didactic and skills demonstration components, 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.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.
Work permit if under 18 years of age.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care as directed by the RN, including bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Maintain a safe and recovery-supportive environment by performing safety checks, keeping patient rooms and department areas clean and organized, cleaning department-specific equipment, changing bed linens, emptying linen hampers, clearing hallways, and returning equipment.
Acquire, distribute, order, and stock supplies and equipment; perform messenger functions and charge or credit supplies as needed.
Set up patient-care equipment within the scope of the nursing assistant position.
Deliver patient nourishments, fill water pitchers, and distribute patient mail.
Perform nursing-assistant core responsibilities, including point-of-care testing and blood glucose checks, weights, vital signs, intake and output measurements, specimen collection, Foley care, and telemetry monitor application or reapplication.
Support prevention of hospital-acquired conditions and patient safety indicators; perform intra-hospital transportation using ticket-to-ride procedures.
Provide feedback to the RN regarding patient care and report changes in patient status.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints according to physician or hospital protocol; provide diversional activities to reduce or prevent restraint use.
Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, and transport patients as part of universal unit activities.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete clerical functions as needed.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department.
Comply with safety policies and procedures, including standard precautions and blood-borne pathogen exposure procedures.
Respond to emergent situations within the scope of the nursing assistant role and provide one-on-one patient companionship or supervision when required.
Communicate clearly and effectively with members of the healthcare team and maintain professional, respectful working relationships.
Support workplace safety for patients and staff and demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Receive feedback and direction constructively, communicate learning needs to the unit director or direct leader, request assistance with planning and prioritizing activities, and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Participate in self-review when requested, suggest and support departmental changes, and take responsibility for assignments.
Limit medication access to distribution of medication to the nurse.
Strictly adhere to policies and practices concerning patient care and hospital-related information.