Patient Care Technician-Senior

About the role

This position is a Casual/Per Diem position that requires working 36 hours over the course of a 6-week timeframe and working Variable Shifts of Day/Evening/Night.

Responsibilities

• Suggests and supports changes within the department.
• Assumes responsibility for assignment and views problems as challenges.
• Demonstrates awareness of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department.
• Supports department-based projects and quality initiatives.
• Constructively receives feedback and direction.
• Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director.
• Takes action to improve knowledge, skills and performance.
• Requests assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
• Participates in self-review as requested by the unit director.
• Participates in project and committee work.
• Strictly adheres to all policies and procedures relative to patient care and hospital related information.
• Complies with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions.
• Documents in the medical record according to established procedures.
• Performs assigned work in a timely and productive manner.
• Transports cardiac monitored patients within the hospital setting.
• May insert foley catheters and perform straight catheterization as instructed by RN.
• May perform IV insertion, removal and dressing change.
• Completes department clerical functions as needed.
• Provides patient care including assisting with patient procedures and activities of daily living.
• Assists with physical, respiratory and cardiopulmonary therapies.
• Provides feedback to the RN regarding patient care and reports changes in patient status.
• Provides instruction to patients and their families under the direction of the RN.
• May apply, monitor and remove patient restraints as per physician or hospital protocol.
• Assures equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department.
• Establishes appropriate and effective communication with other departments.
• Establishes professional and respectful interpersonal relationships.
• Contributes to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays and transporting patients.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team.
• Demonstrates understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence and impairment in the health professions.
• Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues.

Core Competencies

• Performs the UPMC nursing core nursing assistant responsibilities (blood glucose, weights, vital signs, I&O, specimen collections and Foley care).
• Successfully completed Basic arrhythmia class.
• Performs at least 4 of the following hospital identified tasks: phlebotomy, 12 lead EKG, simple dressing, Foley catheter removal, point of care testing, bladder scan, straight catheter, IV catheter removal, femoral hemostasis, or IV insertion.
• Must routinely perform and be fully competent with ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning patients).
• Point of care testing (including blood glucose), weights, vital signs, I&O, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, hospital-acquired condition & patient safety indicator.
• Simple dressings, placement and removal of restraints, bladder scan, all specimen collections and ticket to ride (intra-hospital patient transportation).

Advanced Skills

• In addition to the standard required competencies, the Patient Care Technician - Senior will achieve and maintain competency and/or perform at least 1 or more of the following advanced skills based on department operational need: basic arrhythmia, complex wound care, 12-lead EKGs, and NG tubes clamping and removal.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must also have either:
  • 2 years of general healthcare experience and meet requirements of Patient Care Technician title, OR
  • 1 year of experience (defined above) and enrollment in PT/OT/PA program with completion of at least one clinical rotation, OR
  • 1 year of experience (defined above) and completion of a bachelor's degree in a health sciences field.
• Annual completion of a professional contribution to be determined after hire.
• Successful completion of patient care technician senior class.
• Successful completion of eRecord training.
• May require successful completion of the appropriate UPMC cardiac rhythm course as determined by organizational guidelines and unit-based clinical operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Nursing Student that has completed one clinical rotation preferred.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic or currently enrolled in an EMT or Paramedic program preferred.

Certifications and Clearances

• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
• ACLS preferred.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal.
• Act 33 with renewal.
• Act 34 with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.