Patient Care Tech - Cardiology - PRN

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 in their assigned unit, making age-appropriate adjustments as needed.
• Monitor patients’ conditions and provide updates to the healthcare team.
• Provide direct and indirect care to patients with and without medical/surgical complications to meet their comfort, personal hygiene, and safety needs.
• Deliver care in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care, and VCUHS Nursing and Hospital policy and procedure.
• Ensure assigned clinical location is maintained as a safe, clean, stocked environment to facilitate meeting patient needs and unit/healthcare team functioning.
• Maintain supplies, educational material, equipment, sterilization of supplies, instruments, and the environment to promote quality, safe patient care outcomes (as applicable).
• Contribute to the patient experience by accurately identifying the patient, observing safety goals, and reporting to a licensed independent practitioner, manager, and/or Registered Nurses regarding the patient’s physical and mental responses to the plan of care or any incident posing harm or threat to a patient.
• Obtain and record initial and ongoing patient information throughout the cycle of care, including admissions data, vital signs, height and weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake and output, calorie counts, and other patient information as outlined by VCUHS policy.
• Obtain or assist in the collection of specimens for diagnostic or waived tests.
• Attend all mandatory in-services and trainings and adhere to online training requirements.
• Ensure patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department, or unit patient safety initiatives.
• Establish and maintain courteous and effective rapport with patients, visitors, co-workers, and other members of the healthcare team; demonstrate sensitivity and awareness to needs of patients, visitors, and co-workers and respond promptly to verbal and/or written instructions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Patient Population

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.
• Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs, and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Ages served: Neonates (0-4 weeks), Infant (1-12 months), Pediatrics (1-12 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adults (18-64 years), Geriatrics (65 years and older).

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent.
• Certification/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 foundations/clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.

Skills

• Knowledge of patient data collection and documentation (e.g., vital signs, intake/output, change in patient condition).
• Knowledge of basic hygiene and activities of daily living care.
• Ability to assist with feeding, hydration, and nutrition.
• Ability to assist with 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, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.

Preferred Qualifications

• Acute care experience as a nursing assistant or aide.

Working Conditions

• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.
• May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse.
• May be required to use physical restraints.
• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.
• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.
• May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.
• May have periods of constant interruptions.
• Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting/Carrying (0-100 lbs.), Push/Pull (0-100 lbs.), Climb, Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Balance, Bend.
• Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing.
• Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination).
• Perform shift work.
• Maneuver weight of patients.
• Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder.
• Reach above shoulder.
• Repetitive arm/hand movements.
• Finger Dexterity.
• Hazards: Depth perception; exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents; exposure to moving mechanical parts; exposure to x-ray/electromagnetic energy; exposure to high-pitched noises.

Mental/Sensory Requirements

• Strong recall, reasoning, problem-solving.
• Hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, logical thinking.
• Emotional: Fast-paced environment, ability to handle multiple priorities, frequent and intense customer interactions, noisy environment, ability to adapt to frequent change.