Patient Care Technician- Cardio Thoracic Interventional Unit (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides patient care, assists with procedures and activities of daily living, and supports physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies. The technician gives the RN feedback about care and reports changes in patient status. The role includes UPMC nursing assistant responsibilities and department-specific patient-care tasks, with competency in core skills and at least one advanced skill based on operational needs. The technician contributes to unit operations by responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, transporting patients, communicating effectively with the health care team, and completing documentation and clerical work. The role supports patient and workplace safety, follows patient-care and hospital policies, reports equipment malfunctions, and maintains professional working relationships. Under RN direction, the technician provides instruction to patients and families and may apply, monitor, and remove restraints according to physician or hospital protocol. Access to medications is limited to distributing medication to the nurse. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and one of the stated healthcare experience, training, or education pathways. Successful completion of UPMC patient care technician class and eRecord training is required. CPR is required within 30 days of hire; BLS or CPR and Act 34 are listed under licensure, certifications, and clearances. EMT or Paramedic credentials or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program, and ACLS, are preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One of the following: 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 for those with less than one year of experience; enrollment in a PT/OT/PA program 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 eRecord training.
CPR certification based on AHA standards, including didactic and skills-demonstration components, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 34 clearance.

Nice To Haves

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic credentials, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Responsibilities

Provide patient care and assist with procedures and activities of daily living.
Assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Give the RN feedback regarding patient care and report changes in patient status.
Perform UPMC nursing assistant responsibilities, including bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning patients, blood glucose testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, and Foley care.
Perform department-identified and other assigned skills, including tasks such as phlebotomy, 12-lead EKG, simple dressings, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scans, straight catheterization, and IV catheter removal.
Apply or reapply telemetry monitors and perform assigned patient-safety and hospital-acquired-condition indicators.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments.
Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, and transport patients as part of universal unit activities.
Receive feedback and direction constructively; identify and communicate learning needs; seek assistance with planning and prioritizing; and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints according to physician or hospital protocol.
Communicate clearly and effectively with members of the health care team and maintain professional, respectful working relationships.
Support patient and workplace safety; follow patient-care, hospital, and standard-precaution policies and procedures.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete department clerical functions as needed.
Perform assigned work in a timely and productive manner, support department projects and quality initiatives, and suggest or support departmental changes.
Maintain competency in at least one or more advanced skills based on department operational needs, such as phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia, 12-lead EKG, or NG tube clamping and removal.
Limit medication access to distributing medication to the nurse.