Patient Care Technician (Behavioral Health Unit)

About the Role

The Behavioral Health Unit at CentraState Medical Center offers a deeply rewarding opportunity for those looking to begin, transition, or advance a career in behavioral health nursing. This acute general unit features nineteen blended beds—twelve for voluntary patients and seven for involuntary patients—and serves adults aged 18 and older experiencing acute psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia and psychotic spectrum disorders, depressive and obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma-related illnesses, and co-occurring substance use disorders. The unit is supported by a cohesive, evidence-based MAGNET nursing team within a dynamic multidisciplinary care environment.

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides skilled technical assistance to licensed professionals by performing assigned duties and services required to deliver high-quality patient care in accordance with Joint Commission standards, CentraState Healthcare System policies, and established clinical protocols. Care is delivered through a patient-focused, multidisciplinary model that emphasizes collaboration and safety.

Responsibilities

• Provides considerate, respectful care focused on the patient’s individual needs to ensure patient satisfaction.
• Affirms the patient’s right to make decisions regarding their medical care, including the decision to discontinue treatment, to the extent permitted by law.
• Demonstrates the ability to obtain and interpret information based on the age of the patients cared for.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the range of care needed based on the age of the patients cared for.
• Successfully completes life-span education as appropriate.
• Correctly performs all scheduled and assigned tasks while continually observing patient needs.
• Accurately checks the exterior of the code cart each shift.
• Verbalizes and performs understanding of 1:1 precautions and documents appropriately.
• Supports operations by floating between units as a PCT and provides 1:1 patient observation when necessary.
• Answers patient call lights in a timely manner.
• Provides basic nursing care, including partial and/or complete direct personal hygienic care (e.g., bathing, feeding, diversional activity) and assists with activities of daily living.
• Correctly makes occupied and unoccupied beds.
• Assists with the elimination needs of the patient while providing privacy and dignity.
• Correctly feeds patients and performs tasks to maintain patient mobility.
• Accurately performs simple wound care and ostomy care.
• Correctly empties drainage bags and maintains accurate intake and output documentation.
• Accurately performs incentive spirometry and pulse oximetry.
• Collects and labels specimens without error.
• Correctly sets up and maintains oxygen equipment for the Emergency Department.
• Accurately maintains feeding tubes.
• Accurately collects and documents patient data (TPR, I&O, specimen collection, height, and weight) under the direction of the RN.
• Accurately obtains and documents temperatures, pulses, respirations, and blood pressure.
• Collects blood specimens through venipuncture and/or capillary finger stick.
• Accurately performs bedside glucose monitoring and calibration of Accucheck, and enters data.
• Retrieves blood from the Blood Bank.
• Performs post-mortem care.
• Notifies the nurse immediately for patient complaints of pain/discomfort and any observed change in condition.
• Provides appropriate interventions for pain as directed by the nurse and reports outcomes.
• Follows CentraState policy regarding restraint application, documentation, and observation.
• Properly performs electrocardiograms.
• Performs rounding as per guidelines.
• Accurately measures and documents intake and output, and reports to the nurse.
• Supports cost containment through efficient use of equipment, supplies, and other resources.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of nursing assistant healthcare experience required OR successful completion of an approved CNA or PCT training course OR currently enrolled in a degreed nursing program and completed an introductory nursing course (e.g., Nursing 101) or equivalent OR completed a semester of a school-sponsored clinical rotation in an acute setting.
• CPR certification required.
• Glucose certification provided by CentraState during orientation.
• Strong professional, organizational, and interpersonal skills to effectively relate with all members of the healthcare team.

About Us

CentraState Healthcare System, in partnership with Atlantic Health System, is a fully accredited, not-for-profit, community-based health system dedicated to providing comprehensive health services in central New Jersey. Beyond offering advanced diagnostic and treatment options, CentraState is committed to being a valuable health partner, focusing on disease prevention, promoting healthy behaviors, and helping individuals of all ages live well.

Located in Freehold, CentraState includes a 284-bed acute-care hospital, a dynamic health and wellness campus, two award-winning senior living communities, a charitable foundation, and convenient satellite health pavilions offering primary care, specialty physician practices, and outpatient services such as lab work and physical therapy.

CentraState is proud to be among the less than two percent of hospitals nationwide to earn Magnet® designation for nursing excellence five times. Additionally, it has been recognized as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ Company by Great Place to Work® for four consecutive years. Joining CentraState means becoming part of a pioneering healthcare facility committed to high-quality, patient-focused care.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage (for full-time and part-time team members working 30+ hours per week).
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Long-term disability (with options to supplement).
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• 401(a) retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Well-being rewards program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Fertility coverage and healthy pregnancy program.
• Flexible spending and commuter accounts.
• Pet, home, auto, identity theft, and legal insurance.
• Growth opportunities and workforce development initiatives.
• Continuing education and onsite training.
• Concierge services with work and family benefits.

Pay

Compensation range: $19.50 - $31.20 per hour. The range reflects base salary and does not include extra shift rates or incentives tied to quality, productivity, etc., as applicable.