Patient Care Tech Full Time Nights

MLK Community Healthcare•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT), under the supervision of the primary nurse (RN), provides direct care and safety companion care to patients. The PCT may also be directed by the Clinical Supervisor or primary RN to perform specific tasks or errands in support of patient care and clinical operations. The role helps maintain a safe and clean environment, assists patients with activities of daily living, and gathers information such as vital signs and intake and output. The position requires understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH), demonstrating behavior consistent with MLKCH Core Values, and supporting the hospital’s strategic plan and quality and performance improvement initiatives. The PCT obtains handoff information from the primary RN, reviews relevant patient information in the electronic health record (EHR), assists with daily living activities, measures and records vital signs and intake and output, repositions patients, observes and reports changes in condition, responds to patient call signals, and helps maintain a safe patient environment. The PCT may transport patients, serve as a runner, respond to changing unit needs, and participate in emergency codes and patient-safety rounding. When assigned as a safety companion, the PCT’s primary responsibility is to observe the patient to ensure safety and provide total patient care. The PCT reviews the handoff communication with the primary RN, follows safety companion guidelines, documents observations at least hourly or more often as needed, promptly reports unusual conditions, and collaborates with the Clinical Unit Supervisor and primary RN to maintain continuous observation during breaks. The PCT also assists with patient flow in the Discharge Patient Waiting Lounge and performs other duties as assigned. PCT II duties include assisting with orientation of new PCTs or registry staff, participating in staff education updates, and taking part in performance improvement activities. The position is full-time and scheduled for nights.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Six months of experience within the last three years in a hospital, clinic, skilled nursing facility, or home health care setting as a nurse assistant, care partner, medical assistant, or student nurse with one semester in a clinical setting; experience may be considered at management’s discretion.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS).
Must complete the annual Workplace Violence Prevention Program/Certificate during initial training or orientation, no later than 30 days from hire or transfer, and thereafter as required by hospital policy.
Basic computer skills.
Service orientation: actively looks for ways to help people.
Critical thinking: uses logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Nice To Haves

Current California Nurse Assistant (CNA) certification preferred.
Understanding of human anatomy, basic medical terminology, and rehabilitation principles desired.
For PCT II: maintain current CNA certification.

Responsibilities

Obtain verbal handoff from the primary nurse about patient care needs, treatment plans, and appropriate activities; ask questions for clarification when needed.
Review relevant patient information in the EHR with the primary RN, including dietary restrictions, food allergies, intake and output needs, and isolation precautions.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, standing, walking, exercising, and oral care.
Measure and record vital signs and pain ratings in the EHR as directed by a physician or RN.
Measure and record food and liquid intake and urinary and fecal output, and report changes to the RN.
Turn or reposition patients as required.
Observe patients for unusual signs or changes that may require medical attention and report them to the RN immediately.
Promptly respond to patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patient needs.
Maintain a safe and orderly patient environment.
Respond to changing patient or unit needs as directed by the primary RN or Clinical Supervisor.
Serve as a runner or transport patients as directed.
Understand and demonstrate responsibilities during emergency codes.
Comply with hospital procedures and applicable federal and state rules and regulations.
Provide assistance to team members when needed and interact with patients, families, and colleagues according to principles of caring, healing, respect, and professionalism.
Review patients’ dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to help ensure they receive the appropriate diet.
Adjust role classification and cost center codes in the Kronos time clock before the assignment starts, as necessary.
When assigned as a safety companion, observe the patient to ensure safety and provide total patient care; follow the safety companion guidelines and review the handoff with the primary RN.
Keep personal belongings out of patient rooms.
Document safety companion observations at least every hour, or more often based on changes in the patient’s condition.
Collaborate with the Clinical Unit Supervisor and primary RN to ensure uninterrupted patient observation during breaks.
Assist with patient flow in the Discharge Patient Waiting Lounge.
Participate in rounding to help ensure patient safety.
For PCT II assignments, assist with orientation of new PCTs and/or registry staff, participate in staff education updates, and participate in performance improvement activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.