Patient Care Technician

About The Job

General Summary of Position

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.
• Aids in patient mobilization and rehabilitation using crutches, walkers, and assistive devices; transfers and transports patients in wheelchairs and stretchers.
• Collects specimens (e.g., blood, urine, sputum, stool); performs venipuncture/phlebotomy; obtains EKGs; applies external telemetry monitoring boxes/devices; and inserts, changes, and dresses IV catheters; inspects IV sites.
• Documents vital signs, height, weight, pulse oximetry, point-of-care and waived testing, and other pertinent data or information in the patient's health record.
• Performs routine sterile and non-sterile treatments/activities as identified by unit/hospital policy, including tube feedings, ostomy care, Foley catheter care and removal, perineal care, simple dressing changes, wound care, turning and positioning, postmortem care, and transportation of bodies to the morgue; maintenance of drainage tubes with/without pumps or suction; care of oxygen equipment; and assistance with the application, maintenance, and removal of traction casts, splints, and exercise equipment.
• Maintains the comfort, privacy, and confidentiality of each patient in the delivery of services; performs patient observation duty including 1:1 observation and application of restraints; prepares patients for provider visits; assists providers and RNs in patient examinations and procedures.
• Rounds on all assigned patients based on established standards; reports actual and potential problems concerning patients/families including changes in the patient's condition to the RN 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; refers them to appropriate personnel if necessary.
• Maintains the cleanliness and safety of patient rooms/environments by distributing and changing linens/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, etc., as required.
• Receives and stocks equipment and supplies; maintains orderly supply and utility rooms.
• Attends staff meetings, ongoing educational offerings, and participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED or equivalent required; Completion of an approved nursing assistant certification program required.
• Experience: 1 year experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Patient Care Tech required; experience as a care technician; general health care experience in an acute care, long-term care, or other settings; student nurse in junior or senior year preferred.
• Licenses and Certifications: CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant from the relevant jurisdiction required; CPT - Phlebotomy Technician Certification preferred; 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.