Patient Care Technician - Resource Pool - West Shore

UPMC•Mechanicsburg, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides patient care and assists with procedures and activities of daily living, as well as physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies. The technician reports patient-status changes to the RN, provides patient and family instruction under RN direction, and may apply, monitor, and remove restraints according to physician or hospital protocol. The role performs UPMC nursing assistant core responsibilities, including ADLs, blood glucose checks, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, and Foley care, along with additional tasks designated by the department. Depending on department operational needs, the technician must achieve and maintain competency in at least one advanced skill, such as phlebotomy or venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia, 12-lead EKG, or NG tube clamping and removal. The technician supports unit operations by responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, transporting patients, completing assigned clerical work, and documenting in the medical record according to established procedures. The role requires timely and productive work, reporting equipment malfunctions, following patient-care and safety policies, and maintaining effective, respectful working relationships with patients, families, colleagues, and other departments. Access to medications is limited to distributing medication to the nurse. The technician is expected to receive feedback constructively, identify learning needs, seek assistance with planning and prioritizing when needed, and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance. The role also includes supporting department projects and quality initiatives and demonstrating understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
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 if the candidate has 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 based on AHA standards, including didactic instruction and skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting clearance, with renewal.
Act 33 clearance, with renewal.
Act 34 clearance, with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance, with renewal.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient care and assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living.
Assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Provide feedback to the RN regarding patient care and report changes in patient status.
Perform UPMC nursing assistant core responsibilities, including ADLs, blood glucose checks, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, and Foley care.
Perform additional designated tasks, including applicable phlebotomy, EKG, dressing, catheter, point-of-care testing, and bladder-scan duties.
Perform required patient-care competencies such as telemetry monitor application or reapplication, safety-indicator tasks, restraint placement and removal, and ticket-to-ride patient transportation.
Achieve and maintain competency in at least one advanced skill based on department operational need.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments.
Contribute to unit activities, including responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints as permitted by physician or hospital protocol.
Follow patient-care, hospital-information, and safety policies, including standard precautions.
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.
Identify and communicate learning needs to the unit director or direct leader; seek assistance with planning and prioritizing as needed.
Receive feedback constructively and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Support department projects and quality initiatives and suggest or support changes within the department.
Maintain professional, respectful, and productive relationships and demonstrate accountability, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Limit medication access to distributing medication to the nurse.