Patient Support Technician

Trinity Health • Pontiac, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Support Technician works collaboratively with the health care team in partnership with and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Using Relationship-Based Care principles, the technician provides direct care to an assigned group of patients and coordinates activities related to unit operations and patient flow. The role supports unit shared governance and promotes excellent patient care experiences.

The technician provides basic bedside care and selected procedures, assists with activities of daily living, nutrition, admissions, and patient education, and maintains patient records and unit communications. Care is individualized and consistent with the plan of care and is delivered under Registered Nurse supervision. The position also includes maintaining skills, responding to feedback, supporting patient and workplace safety, using electronic health records, assisting with equipment tracking, and following applicable laws, policies, and revenue-management practices.

This position is at Trinity Oakland Hospital, a 497-bed community teaching hospital and Level II trauma center. It is a 12-hour day-shift role. Weekend and holiday work is necessary to meet staffing needs, and assignments to other units or shifts may be made as needed. The work involves exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous substances, and the physical requirements include extended periods of standing and walking, frequent bending and reaching, and lifting or carrying patients and equipment within stated limits.

Requirements

• High school graduation from an accredited school, GED, or equivalent.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association.
• If employed as an EMT, current licensure in the State of Michigan.
• Ability to meet the role’s physical requirements, including frequent bending or stooping, reaching, pushing or pulling, and lifting or carrying patients or equipment within the stated limits.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays as required to meet staffing needs.

Nice To Haves

• At least one of the following is preferred: six months of direct patient-care experience within the past five years; completion of one medical/surgical clinical rotation in a nursing education program; completion of a Patient Care Technician program that includes a successfully completed externship in an acute-care facility; or previous Health Unit Coordinator or Unit Secretary work experience.
• Completion of a certification program that includes a medical/surgical rotation, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and colleagues in keeping with Relationship-Based Care principles.
• Provide respectful patient care that honors patients’ rights, dignity, values, cultural preferences, and expressed needs, while promoting comfort and helping relieve pain and anxiety.
• Provide basic bedside care and selected procedures under Registered Nurse direction and supervision, including venipuncture, 12-lead EKGs, blood glucose collection and monitoring, respiratory care, dressing changes, vital-sign collection, recognition and initial response to life-threatening conditions, and measurement of drainage.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living according to their condition and under Registered Nurse supervision.
• Initiate and maintain patient medical records.
• Manage unit communications, including calls from physicians, other departments, and visitors.
• Maintain an accurate patient roster or census and information about available ready beds.
• Assist with patient education under Registered Nurse direction.
• Provide basic nutritional support, including bed setup, feeding assistance, and collection and documentation of intake and calorie counts as appropriate.
• Seek experiences to maintain skills and competence, and incorporate feedback to improve practice, including participating in self-appraisal.
• Assist with admissions by collecting selected assessment data, applying necessary equipment, labeling belongings, and explaining unit routines to patients and families.
• Provide individualized care consistent with the plan of care under Registered Nurse direction and supervision.
• Participate in unit-based and other committees and initiatives supporting safety, patient outcomes, and satisfaction.
• Report changes in a patient’s condition to the Registered Nurse in a timely manner.
• Use proper body mechanics while performing job duties.
• Perform other assigned duties as needed, including unit-specific duties and nonclinical tasks that support patients and the care team.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with Trinity Health’s mission and values, and comply with applicable laws, regulations, integrity standards, and organizational policies.
• Meet customer service expectations.
• Verify that appropriate charges are entered for the correct patient, encounter, service date and time, and required modifiers; make corrections in accordance with charge-capture practices.
• Participate in ongoing education and communication about revenue management.
• Track and monitor equipment assigned to the unit and request maintenance services as needed.
• Use electronic health records proficiently for documentation, assessment, and care management while providing care throughout the shift.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and paid time off, effective on the first day of employment with no waiting period.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match and contributions.
• Opportunities for growth and advancement throughout Trinity Health.
• Trinity Health tuition reimbursement.
• Free parking near the workplace.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED