Patient Care Technician - Medical Unit (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct patient care and assists with procedures and activities of daily living, as well as physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies. The technician communicates patient-care feedback and changes in patient status to the RN, supports patient and workplace safety, and provides instruction to patients and families under RN direction. The role includes UPMC nursing assistant core responsibilities and a range of department-specific and advanced skills, according to operational needs and competency requirements. The technician contributes to unit operations by responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, transporting patients, communicating with other departments, reporting equipment malfunctions, completing documentation and clerical duties, and supporting department projects and quality initiatives. The role requires professional, respectful, and productive relationships with patients, families, colleagues, and other members of the health care team. The technician follows patient-care, hospital-information, and safety policies and procedures, including standard precautions, and takes responsibility for learning, performance, and assigned work.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet at least 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 if the candidate has less than one year of experience; enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, or related healthcare training program with at least one clinical rotation completed; or completion of 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 meeting AHA standards, including didactic instruction and skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 34 clearance.
Routine competency in UPMC nursing assistant core responsibilities, including ADLs; point-of-care testing including blood glucose; weights; vital signs; intake and output; telemetry monitor application and reapplication; hospital-acquired-condition and patient-safety indicators; simple dressings; restraint placement and removal; bladder scans; specimen collection; and ticket-to-ride intra-hospital transportation.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient care, including assistance with procedures and activities of daily living, and 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 testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, and Foley care.
Perform required or assigned patient-care tasks such as phlebotomy, 12-lead EKGs, simple dressings, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scans, straight catheterization, and IV catheter removal.
Apply and reapply telemetry monitors; perform simple dressings, bladder scans, specimen collections, and ticket-to-ride procedures for intra-hospital transportation as required.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints in accordance with physician orders or hospital protocol.
Provide instruction to patients and their families under the direction of the RN.
Communicate clearly and effectively with the health care team and establish effective communication with other departments.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department.
Support unit activities, including responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.
Follow patient-care, hospital-information, and safety policies and procedures, 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; take responsibility for assignments and request help with planning and prioritizing activities when needed.
Identify and communicate learning needs, receive feedback and direction constructively, and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Participate in self-review as requested by the unit director.
Support workplace and patient safety and demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Develop productive working relationships and demonstrate accountability, enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Suggest and support departmental changes, support department projects and quality initiatives, and contribute to efficient department operations.
Achieve and maintain competency in, and/or perform based on department operational need, one or more advanced skills such as phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia recognition, 12-lead EKG, or NG tube clamping and removal.