Patient Support Tech

About the role

The Patient Support Technician functions as a collaborative member of the health care team in partnership with and under supervision of the Registered Nurse. This role performs direct patient care to a specific group of patients and coordinates activities which relate to the flow of unit processes.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates principles of Relationship-based Care to cultivate and maintain therapeutic relationships as a means to optimal healing and collegial functioning as an interdisciplinary care team member.
• Provides patient care that reflects respect for patients' rights, dignity, values, culture preferences, and expressed needs and attention to providing comfort, relieving pain, and alleviating anxiety.
• Performs basic bedside care and selected procedures under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse, including venipuncture, 12 lead EKG, basic blood glucose collection and monitoring, respiratory care, dressing changes, collection of vital signs, recognition of life-threatening conditions with initial responses and reporting, emptying and measuring drainage equipment.
• Manages communication for the unit including placing and receiving calls from physicians, other departments, and visitors.
• Maintains an accurate patient roster/census and available ready beds.
• Assists with the provision of patient education under the direction of the Registered Nurse.
• Integrates principles of the Personal.Connected.Journey and demonstrates Trinity Health Guiding Behaviors to provide excellent care of self, patients, and care team members.
• Takes personal accountability to seek out experiences in order to maintain skills and competence. Seeks and incorporates feedback concerning improvement in one's own practice, including participation in self-appraisal.
• Assists with the admission process by collecting selected assessment data, applying necessary equipment, labeling patient's clothes and belongings, informing patient/family of unit routines, etc.
• Provides individualized care consistent with the plan of care under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse.
• Actively engages and participates in unit-based and other committees and indicators that promote patient and workplace safety, optimal patient outcomes, and satisfaction.
• Reports changes in patient condition to the Registered Nurse in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates and actively promotes an understanding and commitment to the mission of Trinity Health Oakland through performing behaviors consistent with the Trinity Health Values.

Requirements

• Experience: Preferably at least one of the following: 6 months direct patient care experience within past 5 years. Completion of one Medical/Surgical clinical rotation in a nursing educational program. Completion of a "Patient Care Technician" program that requires successful completion of an externship in an acute care facility. Previous Health Unit Coordinator/Unit Secretary working experience.
• Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or GED program or equivalent. Completion of one of the following preferred: Certification program which requires a Medical/Surgical rotation. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
• Licensure/Certification: If EMT - current licensure in State of Michigan. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through American Heart Association.

Qualifications

• Maintains appropriate skill level through completion of required hospital and unit based education offerings.
• In a typical day, the colleague may sit for 25%, stand for 25%, and walk for 50% of the day.
• Working in the patient care environment may result in exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.
• Working weekends and holidays is necessary to meet staffing needs.
• Associates will not lift items/patients exceeding 35 pounds from the floor.