Patient Care Tech - Adult Emergency Department - Rotating

About the Role

The Patient Care Technician provides direct, age-specific care to patients based on medical orders and the plan of care under the direction of the RN or licensed independent practitioner.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe and direct care to patients, making age-appropriate adjustments as needed.
• Monitor patients’ conditions and provide updates to the healthcare team.
• Provide direct and indirect care to meet patients' comfort, personal hygiene, and safety needs.
• Deliver care in accordance with nursing and medical plans, following VCUHS Nursing and Hospital policy and procedure.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and stocked clinical environment to support patient care and unit functioning.
• Maintain supplies, educational materials, equipment, and sterilization of instruments to promote quality, safe patient care outcomes.
• Contribute to the patient experience by accurately identifying patients, observing safety goals, and reporting patient responses or incidents to licensed practitioners or managers.
• Obtain and record patient information, including admissions data, vital signs, height, weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake/output, and calorie counts.
• Obtain or assist in collecting specimens for diagnostic or waived tests.
• Attend mandatory in-services and trainings, adhering to online training requirements.
• Ensure patient safety through job performance and participation in hospital or unit patient safety initiatives.
• Establish and maintain courteous and effective rapport with patients, visitors, co-workers, and healthcare team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Patient Population

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of patients served, including:

• Neonates (0-4 weeks)
• Infants (1-12 months)
• Pediatrics (1-12 years)
• Adolescents (13-17 years)
• Adults (18-64 years)
• Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Interprets patient data reflective of their age-specific needs and provides appropriate care as outlined in departmental policies.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (Required)
• AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent (Required)
• Certification or completion of one of the following:
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Medical Assistant
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Military Corpsmen/Medic
  • Nursing Aide Training Program
• Experience within a healthcare environment or completion of a foundations/clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.

Skills

• Knowledge of patient data collection and documentation (e.g., vital signs, intake/output, changes in patient condition).
• Knowledge of basic hygiene and activities of daily living care.
• Ability to assist with feeding, hydration, nutrition, ambulation, and patient mobility.
• Ability to provide safe, compassionate care.
• Accountability for completion of assigned tasks.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment as needed.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development and bias management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Nursing Assistant certification.
• Acute care experience as a nursing assistant or aide.

Working Conditions

• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads.
• Potential exposure to physical altercations, verbal abuse, or hazardous substances.
• May be required to use physical restraints.
• Exposure to high noise levels, bright lights, or limited hazardous substances/body fluids.
• Exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials (requires use of universal precautions and personal protective equipment).
• Periods of constant interruptions.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting/carrying (0-100 lbs), pushing/pulling (0-100 lbs), climbing, stooping, kneeling, squatting, bending, and balancing.
• Work positions: Sitting, walking, and standing.
• Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), maneuvering patient weight, hearing alarms/telephones, reaching above shoulder, repetitive arm/hand movements, and finger dexterity.
• Hazards: Depth perception, exposure to toxic/caustic chemicals, moving mechanical parts, x-ray/electromagnetic energy, and high-pitched noises.
• Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, and logical thinking.
• Emotional: Ability to handle a fast-paced environment, multiple priorities, frequent customer interactions, noisy environments, and adapt to change.