Patient Care Technician - Stem Cell - Full Time Days (7am-3:30pm)

About the role

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community.

Responsibilities

• Functions as a caregiver for a specific patient population to achieve desired outcomes, focusing on expanding knowledge and skills.
• Provides effective direct and indirect care as part of the interdisciplinary team to a variety of complex patients under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse.
• Promotes patient satisfaction, comfort, and safety.
• Assists with a variety of patient, unit, and environment-related tasks.
• Participates in patient safety initiatives.
• Provides patient care based on physical, psychosocial, education, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Ensures effective and safe patient outcomes through practice, judgment, and critical actions.
• Maintains ongoing communication with patients, nursing colleagues, and other members of the healthcare team regarding patient status and care.
• Takes self-directed initiative to exceed expectations, improve job performance, and create new opportunities.
• Participates in interdisciplinary collaboration for the patient’s plan of care from admission to discharge.
• Engages in Unit/Department Performance Improvement (PI) activities.
• Specific duties 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 clinical data (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, O2 saturation) and documenting findings.
  • Drawing intravenous or capillary blood from newborn through geriatric patients using proper aseptic techniques.
  • Performing venipuncture for laboratory tests and ensuring proper labeling and processing of specimens.
  • Performing and documenting glucose finger sticks and collecting other specimens as directed.
  • Performing EKGs as directed.
  • Ensuring the presence, functionality, and cleanliness of necessary equipment, including code carts and emergency medical equipment.
  • Applying bandages, slings, compression boots, and hypothermia blankets as directed.
  • Assisting in patient transport to other departments or units.
  • Assisting with meal preparation and feeding as needed.
  • Checking and restocking inventory of 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.
  • Providing 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).
  • Providing postmortem care.
• Adheres to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.
• Performs other duties and/or projects as assigned.

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.
  • Fundamentals of Nursing program from an accredited school of nursing.
  • HMH PCT Apprenticeship Program.
  • 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. If selected, the candidate will be hired as a PCT Apprentice and transferred to the Patient Care Technician role upon successful completion of the program.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing patient needs.
• Strong sense of accountability for improving the lives of patients and caregivers.
• Exceptional focus on teamwork and dedication to ongoing education.
• Passion for delivering high-quality care with a strong sense of patient focus.

Qualifications

• Experience or certification in phlebotomy, EKG, vital signs, and blood sugar checks preferred.
• At least one (1) year of PCT or CNA experience in a hospital setting strongly preferred or eligibility for the HMH PCT apprentice program.
• Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant, or Patient Care Technician who has completed a PCT program including Phlebotomy, EKG, and nursing assistant coursework (theoretical and clinical).

Licenses and Certifications

• AHA Basic Health Care Life Support (HCP) Certification required within 60 days of entering the position.
• Medical Office Assistant Certification preferred.

Pay

Minimum starting rate of $21.77 per hour. The posted rate of pay is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package. The base compensation may vary based on factors such as labor market data, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, internal equity, budget, and grant funding. Full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) positions include a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits. Some positions may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, commissions, or shift differentials for evening, night, or weekend shifts.