Patient Care Technician - PRN Days - 5E Acuity Adaptable - Bloomington

IU Health•Bloomington, IN

11d

About The Position

As a bedside caregiver, the Patient Care Technician (also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA) provides a positive patient experience by anticipating patients’ needs. This includes providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, helping with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The role provides clinical assistance to the bedside registered nurse by obtaining vital signs and reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse so that issues can be detected and treated promptly. The technician helps keep patients safe by using measures such as gait belts, bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm’s reach when patients are moving. The role calls for compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. It requires current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or completion of certification at the end of the IU Health PCA education program. Other advanced life support certifications may be required depending on unit or department specialty and patient-care policies. The position involves physically demanding, repetitive movements and the ability to work under stress, maintain concentration amid interruptions and variable noise, exercise judgment, set priorities, and manage a high workload within limited time. IU Health describes opportunities for professional growth, including advanced clinical training, leadership development, promotion opportunities, and cross-training. The posting identifies this opening as PRN days in 5E Acuity Adaptable in Bloomington.

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 the 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 and varied interruptions and variable noise levels.
Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in resolving problems.
Ability to set priorities and manage a high workload within limited time.
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, oneself, and others.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and meet patients’ bedside needs, including providing drinks and assisting with meal ordering.
Encourage patients to walk and assist 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 and bed and chair alarms, and stay within arm’s reach of patients when they are moving.