Technician, Patient Care

Directly responsible to the Assistant Head Nurse/Charge Nurse of the unit or designee for all patient care activities. Functions as part of the multidisciplinary team providing direct patient care to patients.

Responsibilities

• Assist patient with activities of daily living (e.g. bathing, eating, toileting, moving/walking), and diversionary activity (e.g. reading, TV, games). Set up and/or place diversionary materials in easy reach.
• Assist with the movement of patients via stretcher, wheelchair, or bed. Move patients from bed to chair, or stretcher.
• Give partial/complete bed baths or shower baths. Shampoo hair as necessary; brush and comb hair. Assist with skin care.
• Prepare patients for meals before tray arrives. Feed patients/provide snacks, fluids as ordered.
• Give oral hygiene, denture care, mouth swabs, and mouth washes.
• Provide range of motion activity, lifting, turning, positioning, and ambulation.
• Use special equipment correctly (e.g. cane, walker, pressure-relief devices).
• Assist with activities related to bladder and bowel function:
  • Assist patients to use bedpan, urinal and proper disposal of excreta.
  • Apply external urinary catheter.
  • Perform urinary catheter care.
• Apply Pressure Injury devices such as TAP (turning & positioning) device and apply heel boots.
• Make patient care rounding, as assigned.
• Apply sequential compression device sleeves.
• Answer telephone and relay messages promptly.
• Obtain & record vital signs (B/P, Resp. rate, Pulse, Temp, & Pulse oximetry), I&O, and other patient care activities in EHR, per policy in daily care flow sheet.
• Consistently report to nurse observations/changes in patient’s condition. Provide a handoff when leaving unit for breaks and at end of the shift. Document changes (i.e.: Vital signs) in EHR.
• Utilize appropriate precautions when providing care to patients in isolation. Maintain universal precautions in all patient care activities.
• Adhere to observation level defined by RN as assigned. Accept and document the responsibility for the level of observation for the patient on the acceptance sheet and on the observation flow sheet.
• Adhere to restraint policy and comply with application of restraint management and patient observation. Document in EHR non-violent flow sheet.
• Responsible for accepting and identifying patient belongings; document such in Patient Property sheet in EHR.
• Collect specimens (e.g. urine, sputum, stool, etc.) as assigned. Label specimen correctly and deliver/forward them to the correct department.
• Perform off-unit messenger duties (e.g. deliver patient belongings, pick up equipment, lab, etc.).
• Function as a member of the nursing care team, participating in the implementation of the patient’s plan of care.
• Participate in maintenance of a clean and safe patient environment:
  • Clean/organize procedure carts, utility and treatment rooms, linen and supply closets, as assigned.
• Promote improved customer relations with patients and their families and make recommendations for improved patient care.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Perform POCT and 12 lead EKG.
• Maintain the culture of safety by properly identifying patients using two identifiers, accurate and timely documentation.
• Perform phlebotomy to obtain necessary blood specimens, POCT as ordered. Document in the electronic medical record or paper during downtime.
• Comply with all departmental and organization-wide policies and procedures.
• Comply with the Patient Bill of Rights.
• Participate in PI data collection activities as directed.
• Perform post-mortem care and properly identify the patient for transport to the morgue.
• Perform other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting.

Requirements

• High School Graduate or GED required.
• No work experience required; previous experience preferred.
• Certificate from approved Patient Care Technician (PCT) program required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association, required.

Skills

• Math and computer skills.
• Works as a team player.
• Demonstrates respect and professionalism in all interactions.
• Excellent oral and communication skills.
• Decision making and problem solving.
• Able to see, hear, read and write English.
• Ability to fully utilize BHMC’s electronic record systems, equipment and other healthcare and billing systems relevant to this position as required.

Physical Requirements

• Physically demanding, high-stress environment.
• Occasional exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions.
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients.
• Manual and finger dexterity.
• Hand and eye coordination.
• Sitting, standing, and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range.
• Frequently sitting at desk working on computer.

Pay

The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member’s base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., site, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).