Patient Care Technician

Patient Care Technician

Functions as a member of the patient-centered care team to provide direct patient care activities under the supervision of a registered nurse for assigned patients and their families/significant others. Assists medical and nursing staff with procedures and/or tests and patients with activities of daily living (ADLs). Performs specific care activities such as specimen collection, phlebotomy, intravenous (IV) catheter insertion, electrocardiography (EKG), and documentation in the health record. Incumbents in this position may perform all or a combination of the duties described depending upon the assigned work area and the specific needs of the patients and the department.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

1. Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality, and safety standards and SPIRIT values. Complies with governmental regulations and accreditation standards.
2. Assists patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal hygiene including bathing, mouth care, dressing, skin care, positioning, feeding, ambulation, toileting, and range of motion activities. Assists with patient mobilization and rehabilitation, use of crutches and walkers, and transfer/transport of patients in wheelchairs and stretchers.
3. Collects specimens (e.g. blood, urine, sputum, stool); performs venipuncture/phlebotomy; obtains EKGs; applies external telemetry monitoring boxes/devices; and inserts intravenous (IV) catheters, changes of IV sites and dressings, and routine inspection of IV sites.
4. Assists in the measurement and documentation of patient's intake and output (I&O). Accurately takes and records patient's vital signs, height and weight, pulse oximetry, point of care, and waived testing (i.e. finger sticks for glucose monitoring/Accucheck, urine dipstick, hemoccult) and other pertinent data or information in the patient's health record.
5. Performs routine sterile non-sterile (e.g. application of thermal soaks) and other treatments/activities identified by Unit/Hospital policy inclusive of but not limited to: tube feedings; ostomy care; Foley catheter care and removal; perineal care; simple dressing changes and wound care; turning and positioning; postmortem care and transportation of body to the morgue; maintenance of drainage tubes with/without pump or suction; care of oxygen equipment; and assistance with the application, maintenance, and removal of traction, casts, splints, and exercise equipment.
6. Maintains the comfort, privacy, confidentiality, and dignity of each patient in the delivery of services. Performs patient observation duty including 1:1 observation and application of restraints. Prepares patients to be seen by providers. Assists providers and registered nurses in patient examinations and procedures.
7. Rounds on all assigned patients based on established standards (e.g. purposeful hourly rounding). Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients/families including changes in the patient's condition to the registered nurse and other care team members as necessary. Ensures complete hand off to oncoming shift and obtains full hand off from outgoing shift. Initiates and assists in CPR when indicated.
8. Participates in patient/family teaching as directed and responds to questions from patients, families, and visitors in a prompt, courteous, and respectful manner referring them to appropriate personnel if necessary.
9. Maintains the cleanliness and safety of patient rooms/environment by distributing and changing linen/towels, removing used meal trays, checking bed siderails and safety restraints, etc. Assists with environmental services support such as linen management, trash removal, and cleaning patient rooms as needed.
10. Transports and/or escorts patients during discharges, transfers, and/or medical appointments. Completes errands such as delivering specimens to the laboratory, equipment, and supplies, etc. as required.
11. Receives and stocks equipment and supplies and maintains orderly supply and utility rooms.
12. Attends staff meetings, ongoing educational offerings, and participate in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

Minimal qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required and
• Completion of an approved Patient Care Technician training program required

Experience:

• Less than 1 year experience as a certified nursing assistant or a patient care tech required and
• Experience as a care technician; general health care experience in an acute care, long-term care, or other settings; student nurse in junior or senior year preferred
• One year of relevant professional-level work experience may be substituted for one year of required education.

Licenses and certifications:

• CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant from the relevant jurisdiction upon hire required and
• CPT - Phlebotomy Technician Certification upon hire preferred and
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 days required and
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Basic math knowledge;
• verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

This position has a hiring range of USD $19.55 - USD $34.25/Hr.