Patient Care Tech II - Inpatient, Memorial Campus Float Pool, Per Diem

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $15.00 - $25.82. Please note that the final offer may vary within this range based on a candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

About the Role

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence, and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community, and each other.

Under the direction of the appropriate licensed clinician, and in keeping with unit-specific standards, this role provides patient care to meet the personal needs and comfort of patients and assists members of the healthcare team. As an integral member of the patient care team, serves both internal and external customers, including patients, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues who support the delivery of care and services.

Responsibilities

• Provides clear, timely communication to the RN regarding observations and changes seen in patients (e.g., changes in skin condition, vital signs, and/or mental status).
• Provides constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of a safe environment, utilizing interventions to de-escalate patients and, if unsuccessful, participates in restraints in accordance with training and education as directed.
• Assists patients with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, ambulating, meals, and nourishment.
• Assists in moving, lifting, positioning, and transporting patients by utilizing proper safety techniques and body mechanics in all work-related activities.
• Maintains patient safety by performing patient safety checks, utilizing fall prevention devices/strategies as directed, and following the Restraint Policy standards when caring for a restrained patient.
• Takes and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry).
• Measures and records patients’ height and weight.
• Performs EKGs, Point of Care (POC) tests, and bladder scanning according to hospital standards.
• Collects, labels, and prepares specimens for transport to the lab. Performs phlebotomy in certain locations.
• Performs other selected unit-specific procedures such as battery changes for telemetry units, checking the status of unit equipment, cleaning equipment between patients, and proper storage of supplies.
• Assists RN/Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing the patient, obtaining and setting up equipment and supplies (e.g., intravenous and hemodynamic lines), and utilizing sterile technique when indicated.
• Helps position the patient and provides emotional support.
• Cleans up equipment and supplies following treatments and/or procedures.
• Observes, measures, and records oral food and fluid intake.
• Sets up full-strength tube feeding solutions and refills tube feeding bags as directed.
• Empties and records output from a variety of sources (e.g., Foley catheter, ostomy appliances, and drainage systems).
• Performs ostomy care on established ostomate patients as directed.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ needs by acting as a source of information and building positive rapport and relationships.
• Provides respectful, culturally and age-appropriate communication with patients, staff, family, visitors, and others.
• Replenishes patient and unit supplies and equipment.
• Requests assistance from identified resources when more direction is needed.
• Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards, bulletin boards, posted notices, and responding to UMMHC emails regularly.
• Precepts new Patient Care Technicians.
• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Attends meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed.
• Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
• Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
• Respects diverse views and approaches, contributes to a professional, tolerant, and civil environment.
• Maintains regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school education or GED.
• Current Basic Life Support certification.
• Demonstrated competency attainment in the Patient Care Technician I level, with a minimum of 800 hours and at least 6 months as a PCT I, or 6 months of prior inpatient/outpatient direct patient care experience.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English clearly and concisely.
• Knowledge of Medical Terminology.
• Basic computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to gather information, build relationships, and provide exceptional service to patients.
• Proven problem-solving abilities for routine situations.
• Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergency situations.

Unless certification, licensure, or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility may be substituted for the above requirements.

Schedule

• Mixed shift, 8 hours per day.
• Includes one major summer holiday and one major winter holiday.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed indoors in a patient care environment.
• Requires hand dexterity, hearing, and vision to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe patient conditions.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work involves heavy demand, with standing and walking most of the time, and the possibility of pushing heavy equipment and bending frequently.

Benefits

This position may have a signing bonus available. A member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.