Patient Care Tech - Comprehensive Liver Care Unit ICU - 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 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 the assigned clinical location is maintained as a safe, clean, and stocked environment to facilitate 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 patient responses or incidents to licensed practitioners or managers.
• Obtain and record initial and ongoing patient information, including admissions data, vital signs, height and weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake and output, calorie counts, and other required data.
• 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 through job performance and participation in hospital, department, 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 the patients served, including:

• 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 (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, 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 and modeling inclusive behaviors.

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 hazardous substances or body fluids.
• May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.
• May have periods of constant interruptions.
• Individuals must exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment, and follow infection control policies.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting/carrying (0-100 lbs), push/pull (0-100 lbs), climbing, stooping, kneeling, squatting, balancing, bending.
• Work positions: Sitting, walking, standing.
• Additional physical requirements:
  • Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination).
  • Ability to 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:
  • Strong recall, reasoning, problem-solving.
  • Hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, reading, logical thinking.
  • Ability to handle fast-paced environments, multiple priorities, frequent and intense customer interactions, noisy environments, and adapt to frequent change.