Patient Care Technician (Full-Time)

Hackensack Meridian Health • Hackensack, NJ

1d • $22

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as a caregiver for an assigned patient population, providing effective direct and indirect care as part of an interdisciplinary team. Under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, the technician supports patient satisfaction, comfort, and safety while assisting with patient, unit, and environmental tasks and participating in patient safety initiatives.

The role includes welcoming and identifying patients; preparing them for assessments, admissions, examinations, and procedures; collecting and documenting clinical data and specimens; performing venipuncture, EKGs, and glucose finger sticks; assisting with hygiene, comfort, meals, mobility, and transportation; and maintaining equipment and the patient-care environment. The technician communicates changes in patient condition to the RN, contributes to care planning and safe transitions from admission through discharge, and participates in unit performance-improvement activities. Care should be adapted to patients’ ages and individual needs, including cultural, language, hearing, visual, developmental, and educational considerations.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent GED program.
• Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, or Patient Care Technician program; a Fundamentals of Nursing program from an accredited nursing school; or the HMH PCT Apprenticeship Program; alternatively, equivalent medical-background experience such as EMT, Home Health Aide, CMA, MA, PCT, or Nursing Assistant experience.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing patient needs.
• Strong accountability for improving the lives of patients and their caregivers.
• Strong teamwork skills, dedication to ongoing education, and commitment to high-quality, patient-focused care and service.
• AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or certification in phlebotomy and checking EKGs, vital signs, and blood sugar.
• At least one year of PCT or CNA experience in a hospital setting, or eligibility for the HMH PCT apprentice program.
• CNA, CMA, or PCT certification from a program that includes phlebotomy, EKG, and nursing assistant coursework in both theoretical and clinical settings.
• Medical Office Assistant Certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care appropriate to patients’ physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, age, and related needs.
• Use sound practice, judgment, and critical actions to promote effective and safe patient outcomes.
• Communicate ongoing patient status and care provided to patients, nursing colleagues, and other healthcare team members.
• Take initiative to improve job performance and identify opportunities to contribute beyond expected duties.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning from admission through discharge to support safe transitions and continuity of care.
• Participate in unit or department performance-improvement activities.
• Welcome patients and verify proper identification bracelets.
• Prepare patients for assessment, admission, physical examination, and procedures.
• Recognize and respond to opportunities to enhance patient satisfaction.
• Obtain and document vital signs and oxygen saturation, and promptly notify the RN of abnormal findings.
• Collect intravenous or capillary blood using appropriate aseptic techniques; label and process specimens correctly and transport them to the appropriate area in a timely manner.
• Perform venipuncture for laboratory tests and EKGs as directed.
• Ensure necessary equipment is present, clean, and functional; check and maintain code carts, oxygen, and other emergency equipment as directed.
• Apply bandages, slings, compression boots, and hypothermia blankets according to standards and RN direction.
• Assist with patient transport to departments or units when requested.
• Assist with meal preparation and feeding as needed.
• Check inventory in assigned areas and restock as directed.
• Prepare room environments for admissions.
• Provide hygiene and comfort care, including bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, incontinence care, and bed making.
• Assist patients with dressing and undressing, manage belongings using the property checklist, and monitor return of clothing to family.
• Perform and document glucose finger sticks and collect other specimens as directed.
• Provide post-mortem care.
• Obtain and document patient weights and observe and document intake and output.
• Promote a safe patient environment by responding promptly to call lights and immediately communicating changes in patient condition to the RN.
• Identify the needs of the patient population and adapt care and communication to patients’ age, culture, language, hearing or visual needs, and developmental, educational, or literacy level.
• Perform other assigned duties and projects and adhere to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible full-time and part-time positions of 20 or more hours per week, including health, dental, and vision coverage, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED