Patient Care Technician FT Night Adult Neurology Critical Care Unit - Methodist

IU Health•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician, also known as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA), is a non-licensed bedside caregiver who works under the direction of a registered nurse. The role provides care to designated patients and supports the patient care team in the Adult Neurology Critical Care Unit at Methodist. The position is full-time and works nights. The technician helps provide a positive patient experience by anticipating patient needs and assisting with activities of daily living, including providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering and bathing, encouraging walking, and supplying clean linens and gowns. The role also includes mobility assistance, continuous observation including suicide prevention, and keeping patients’ surroundings clean and orderly. The technician supports bedside RNs by obtaining vital signs and reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse so that concerns can be identified and treated promptly. Patient safety is maintained through measures such as using gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm’s reach of patients during movement.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification at the 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 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 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.
Knowledge of infection-control principles and good personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to prevent infection.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.

Responsibilities

Provide bedside care and anticipate patients’ needs.
Assist with activities of daily living, including bathing, providing drinks, and helping patients with meal ordering.
Encourage walking and provide mobility assistance.
Provide clean linens and gowns and keep patients’ surroundings clean and orderly.
Provide continuous observation, including suicide prevention.
Obtain vital signs and report abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Use patient safety measures such as gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and stay within arm’s reach of patients when they are moving.
Support the patient care team under the direction of a registered nurse.