Patient Care Technician ICU, UPMC Community Osteopathic

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

UPMC is hiring a Patient Care Technician to join the ICU at the Community Osteopathic campus in Harrisburg. This is a full-time position with a day and night schedule (7 a.m.–7 p.m. and 7 p.m.–7 a.m.), including every third weekend and every other holiday. Final candidates will be placed at the appropriate career-ladder level based on experience and education. The Patient Care Technician provides patient care and assists with procedures, activities of daily living, and physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies. The role works with the RN and the broader care team, communicates changes in patient status, supports patient and workplace safety, documents care, and contributes to unit operations. Required competencies include UPMC nursing core assistant responsibilities and additional department-specific skills. Depending on operational need, the technician will maintain competency in and/or perform at least one advanced skill.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet one of the following experience or education 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 for those with 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 a completed 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.
Ability to perform the UPMC nursing core assistant responsibilities and the required unit-specific competencies.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide patient care, assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living, and assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Provide feedback to the RN about patient care and report changes in patient status.
Perform UPMC nursing core assistant responsibilities, including blood glucose checks, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, and activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Perform required unit tasks, including point-of-care testing, telemetry monitor application and reapplication, simple dressings, restraint placement and removal, bladder scans, specimen collection, and intra-hospital transportation using the ticket-to-ride process.
Perform at least four business-unit-identified tasks from among phlebotomy, 12-lead EKG, simple dressing, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scan, straight catheterization, and IV catheter removal.
Achieve and maintain competency in and/or perform at least one advanced skill based on department operational need, such as phlebotomy or venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia, 12-lead EKG, or NG tube clamping and removal.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments and members of the healthcare team.
Contribute to universal 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 restraints as permitted by physician or hospital protocol.
Follow patient-care and hospital-information policies and procedures, including safety policies and standard precautions; support safety for patients and self.
Develop productive and respectful working relationships, demonstrate accountability and commitment, and understand cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Identify learning needs, receive feedback and direction constructively, request assistance with planning and prioritizing, and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Support department changes, projects, and quality initiatives; take responsibility for assignments and contribute to efficient department operations.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures, complete assigned work in a timely and productive manner, and perform clerical functions as needed.
Limit medication access to distribution of medication to the nurse.