Patient Care Tech Pre/Pst Surg

About the role

Functions as a member of the patient-centered care team to provide direct patient care activities under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or medical staff/providers. Assists nursing and medical 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Collects specimens (e.g., blood, urine, stool); performs venipuncture/phlebotomy; obtains EKGs; applies electrodes and initiates physiologic monitoring equipment; and inserts intravenous (IV) catheters, changes of IV sites and dressings, and routine inspection of IV sites.
• 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 (e.g., finger sticks for glucose monitoring/Accucheck, urine dipstick, hemoccult), and other pertinent data in the patient's health record.
• Performs routine sterile and non-sterile treatments/activities (e.g., application of thermal soaks) identified by unit/hospital policy, including but not limited to: Foley Catheter insertion, removal, and care; suctioning; 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; set-up and care of oxygen equipment; shave preps; and assistance in the application, maintenance, and removal of traction, casts, splints, slings, TED, and SCD supports and other immobilization equipment.
• Assists the nursing staff/provider with pre-procedural/pre-operative preparations and/or examinations/procedures as directed. Acts as scrub assistant during surgical procedures as needed. Prepares instruments, surgical crats, supplies, and other equipment; assists in the basic setup and breakdown of equipment and patient areas to expedite turnover under the direction of the registered nurse.
• Participates in the equipment cleaning and decontamination and sterilization of instrumentation in accordance with infection control procedures/standards and aseptic techniques in the perioperative, surgical, and procedure areas.
• 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.
• 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 handoff to oncoming shift and obtains full handoff from outgoing shift. Initiates and assists in CPR when indicated.
• 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.
• 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.
• Transports and/or escorts patients during discharges, transfers, and/or medical appointments. Completes errands such as delivering specimens to the laboratory, equipment, and supplies as required.
• Orders necessary supplies to maintain par levels. Receives and stocks equipment and supplies and maintains orderly supply and utility rooms. Checks sterile supplies for sterility and integrity where applicable. Restocks supplies in patient rooms.
• Attends staff meetings, ongoing educational offerings, and participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Completion of an approved nursing assistant certification program required.
• 1-2 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant required.
• Experience as a care technician or surgical/scrub technician preferred.
• General health care experience in an acute care, long-term care, or other settings preferred.
• Student nurse in junior or senior year preferred.

Qualifications

• CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant in Maryland required.
• 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.
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.
• CPT - Phlebotomy Technician Certification preferred.

Skills

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

Pay

This position has a hiring range of USD $19.55 - USD $34.25 per hour.