Patient Care Technician - SRI - IP Nursing - P/T with Benefits Nights

About the role

As a Patient Care Technician at Hackensack Meridian Health, you will function as a caregiver for a specific patient population, focusing on expanding your knowledge and skills to provide effective direct and indirect care as part of an interdisciplinary team. Under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, you will promote patient satisfaction, comfort, and safety while assisting with various patient, unit, and environment-related tasks. This role is integral to patient safety initiatives and supports the mission of advancing healthcare and serving as a leader of positive change.

A joint partnership between Hackensack Meridian Health and JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Shore Rehabilitation Institute (SRI) is a 40-bed, acute rehabilitation facility offering comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services. Located adjacent to Ocean Medical Center in Brick, NJ, SRI is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and provides a broad spectrum of rehabilitation services with a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to individualized patient care.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Patient Care Technician at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Providing patient care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Ensuring effective and safe patient outcomes through practice, judgment, and critical actions.
• Maintaining ongoing communication with patients, nursing colleagues, and other healthcare team members regarding patient status and care.
• Taking initiative to improve job performance, create new opportunities, and participate in interdisciplinary collaboration for patient care from admission to discharge.
• Participating in Unit/Department Performance Improvement activities.

Specific job functions may include but are not limited to:

• Welcoming patients and verifying proper identification.
• Preparing patients for assessment, admission, physical examination, and procedures.
• Recognizing and responding to opportunities to enhance patient satisfaction.
• Demonstrating knowledge and skill necessary to provide age-appropriate care.
• Obtaining and documenting clinical data such as temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and O2 saturation; notifying RN of abnormal results.
• Drawing intravenous or capillary blood from patients of all ages using proper aseptic techniques, ensuring appropriate labeling and processing.
• Performing venipuncture for laboratory tests.
• Collecting, labeling, and transporting specimens accurately and promptly.
• Performing EKGs as directed and ensuring equipment functionality and cleanliness.
• Maintaining code carts, oxygen, and other emergency medical equipment.
• Applying bandages, slings, compression boots, and hypothermia blankets as directed.
• Assisting with patient transport and meal assistance as needed.
• Checking and restocking inventory in assigned areas.
• Preparing room environments for admissions.
• Providing direct hygiene and comfort care, including bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, and bed making.
• Assisting patients with dressing/undressing and managing patient belongings.
• Monitoring and documenting patient weights, intake, and output.
• Ensuring a safe patient environment by promptly answering call lights and communicating changes in patient condition to the RN.
• Identifying and addressing the needs of diverse patient populations (e.g., age, culture, language, hearing, or visually impaired).
• Performing and documenting glucose finger sticks and collecting other specimens as directed.
• Providing post-mortem care.
• Completing other duties and projects as assigned.
• Adhering to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Requirements

• High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), or equivalent programs.
• Completion of one of the following:
  • Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, or Patient Care Technician program, or
  • Fundamentals of Nursing program from an accredited school of nursing, or
  • HMH PCT Apprenticeship Program, or
  • Equivalent medical background experience (e.g., EMT, Home Health Aide, CMA, MA, PCT, Nursing Assistant).
• Note: Candidates without one of the above programs but meeting other requirements may be considered for the HMH PCT Apprentice Program. Upon successful completion, they will be transferred to the Patient Care Technician role.
• Ability to learn quickly, adapt to changing patient needs, and demonstrate accountability for improving patient and caregiver lives.
• Strong focus on teamwork, dedication to ongoing education, and passion for delivering high-quality care.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience or certification in phlebotomy, EKG, vital signs, and blood sugar checks.
• At least one year of PCT or CNA experience in a hospital setting or eligibility for the HMH PCT apprentice program.
• Certification as a Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, or Patient Care Technician with successful completion of a PCT program including Phlebotomy, EKG, and nursing assistant coursework (theoretical and clinical).

Licenses and Certifications

• AHA Basic Health Care Life Support (BLS) HCP Certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Pay

The minimum starting rate of pay for this role is $20.68 per hour. The posted rate is a reasonable good faith estimate and may vary based on factors such as labor market data, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, internal equity, and budget considerations. Some positions may also be eligible for shift differentials, performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions.

Benefits

Hackensack Meridian Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) employees, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Retirement benefits.