Patient Care Technician- 7 West Neurology

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct patient care as directed by the registered nurse, including activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning, and transporting patients. The role supports patient safety and recovery by completing safety checks, maintaining clean and organized patient rooms and department areas, cleaning equipment, changing linens, clearing hallways, and returning equipment to its designated location. The technician obtains and distributes supplies and equipment, stocks patient rooms and unit supply areas, performs messenger functions, and may order or charge/credit supplies. Other duties include delivering nourishments, filling water pitchers, distributing mail, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, transporting patients, and completing clerical tasks as needed. The role performs nursing assistant core responsibilities, including point-of-care testing such as blood glucose, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, and intra-hospital transportation. The technician may place, monitor, and remove restraints according to physician or hospital protocol, and provides diversional activities and one-to-one companionship or supervision when required. The technician documents in the medical record according to established procedures, reports patient-status changes and equipment malfunctions, and responds to emergencies within the scope of the nursing assistant role. Access to medications is limited to distributing medication to the nurse. The technician communicates effectively with the health care team, provides feedback to the RN, maintains respectful and productive working relationships, and supports a safe workplace. The role includes receiving feedback, identifying learning needs, improving knowledge and performance, seeking assistance with planning and prioritizing, and participating in self-review when requested. The technician follows safety policies and standard precautions, including procedures related to blood-borne pathogen exposure, and adheres to policies concerning patient care and hospital-related information.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Successful completion of the UPMC nursing assistant training program.
Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.
CPR certification meeting AHA standards, including didactic and skills demonstration components, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 34 clearance.
Work permit required if under 18 years of age.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care as directed by the RN, including bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning, repositioning, and transporting patients.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized patient care environment; complete safety checks, clean department-specific equipment, change bed linens, empty linen hampers, and keep hallways clear.
Acquire, distribute, and stock supplies and equipment; perform messenger functions and set up patient care equipment within the scope of the role.
Deliver patient nourishments, fill water pitchers, and distribute patient mail.
Perform nursing assistant core duties, including point-of-care testing and blood glucose checks, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, and telemetry monitor application or reapplication.
Help prevent hospital-acquired conditions and patient safety incidents.
Apply, monitor, and remove restraints when authorized by physician or hospital protocol; provide diversional activities to reduce or prevent restraint use.
Provide one-to-one companionship or supervision when required and respond to emergent situations within the scope of the nursing assistant role.
Report changes in patient status to the RN and report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department.
Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, and transport patients, including intra-hospital transportation.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete clerical functions as needed.
Communicate effectively with the health care team and maintain professional, respectful working relationships.
Identify learning needs, seek assistance with planning and prioritizing, act to improve knowledge and performance, and participate in self-review when requested.
Comply with safety policies, standard precautions, blood-borne pathogen exposure procedures, and policies concerning patient care and hospital-related information.
Limit medication access to distributing medication to the nurse.