Patient Care Technician (full-time) - ICU

UPMC•Jamestown, NY

16d

About The Position

UPMC Chautauqua is seeking a full-time Patient Care Technician for its ICU/Step Down Unit. The role has a variable schedule with rotating day and night shifts, every other weekend, and rotating holidays. The Patient Care Technician is part of UPMC’s Patient Care Support career ladder, with opportunities for continued growth and advancement. Title and salary are determined based on experience. The technician provides patient care and support under the direction of the RN, including assistance with procedures and activities of daily living, physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies, and patient and family instruction. The role includes routine nursing assistant responsibilities and additional skills such as vital signs, telemetry monitor application and reapplication, specimen collection, simple dressings, bladder scans, and restraint care. Based on department operational needs, the technician must achieve and maintain competency in at least one advanced skill, such as phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, or 12-lead EKG and basic arrhythmia. The position also involves communicating patient status and care feedback to the RN, documenting in the medical record, completing clerical duties as needed, supporting department projects and quality initiatives, and following patient-care, safety, and hospital policies. Access to medications is limited to distributing medication to the nurse.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Meet one of the following experience or training pathways: one year of general healthcare experience; six months of experience as a UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire, transfer, or promotion; enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, 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 meeting AHA standards, including a didactic and skills demonstration component, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support issued by the AHA within 30 days of hire or transfer; BLS or CPR is required.
NYS Staff Exclusion List (NYSEL) clearance.
Medication access is limited to distributing medication to the nurse.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Suggest and support departmental changes, take responsibility for assignments, and contribute to department projects and quality initiatives.
Perform routine nursing assistant responsibilities, including bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Obtain weights, vital signs, and intake and output; apply and reapply telemetry monitors; support HAC and PSI prevention, including TEDs and SCDs; place and remove restraints; perform simple dressings and bladder scans; collect specimens; and complete ticket-to-ride procedures.
Report equipment malfunctions and communicate effectively with other departments and members of the healthcare team.
Contribute to universal unit activities, including responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.
Receive feedback and direction constructively, identify learning needs, improve knowledge and performance, seek assistance with planning and prioritizing, and participate in self-review as requested.
Provide patient care, assist with procedures and activities of daily living, and assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Give the RN feedback about patient care and report changes in patient status.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints according to physician or hospital protocol.
Follow patient-care and hospital policies and procedures, including safety policies and standard precautions.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete assigned work and department clerical functions in a timely manner.
Demonstrate system-wide competencies, accountability, and professional, respectful working relationships.
Achieve and maintain competency in at least one advanced skill based on department operational need: phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, or 12-lead EKG and basic arrhythmia.
Perform other duties as assigned.