Patient Care Technician - Adult Emergency Department - PRN

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.
• 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 knowledge and skills 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)

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

• Acute care experience as a nursing assistant or aide.

Working Conditions

• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads.
• Exposure to physical altercations, verbal abuse, or high noise levels.
• May require use of physical restraints.
• Exposure to hazardous substances, body fluids, or infectious materials.
• Exposure to bright lights, moving mechanical parts, x-ray/electromagnetic energy, or high-pitched noises.
• Fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and intense customer interactions.
• Ability to adapt to frequent change.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting/carrying (0-100 lbs), pushing/pulling (0-100 lbs), climbing, stooping, kneeling, squatting, or balancing.
• Work positions: Sitting, walking, and standing.
• Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination).
• Maneuvering weight of patients.
• Hearing alarms, telephones, or tape recorders.
• Reaching above shoulder and repetitive arm/hand movements.
• Depth perception and finger dexterity.

Mental/Sensory Requirements

• Strong recall, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to speak clearly, write legibly, and read.
• Logical thinking in a fast-paced, noisy environment.
• Able to handle multiple priorities and frequent customer interactions.