Patient Care Technician, Flex Unit, Nights, 24 HPW

Patient Care Technician I

Under the direction of the appropriate licensed clinician, the Patient Care Technician I performs a variety of patient care activities. Receives workplace education and training to assist members of the healthcare team in the care of patients.

I. Major Responsibilities :

• Provides clear, timely communication to the RN regarding observations and changes seen in patients.
• Provides constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of a safe environment.
• Assists patient with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, ambulating, meals and nourishment.
• Assists in moving, lifting, positioning and transporting patients by utilizing proper safety techniques and body mechanics in all work-related activities.
• Maintains patient safety by performing patient safety checks, utilizing fall prevention alternative devices / strategies as directed, and following the Restraint Policy standards when caring for a restrained patient.
• Takes and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure and pulse oxymetry). Measures and records patients' height and weight.
• Performs EKG's, performs Point of Care (POC) tests and bladder scanning according to hospital standards. Collects, labels and prepares specimens for transport to lab.
• Performs other selected unit specific procedures such as battery changes for telemetry units, checking status of unit equipment, cleaning equipment between patients and proper storage of supplies.
• Assists RN / Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing patient; obtaining and setting up equipment and supplies, such as intravenous and hemodynamic lines, and utilize sterile technique when indicated. Help in positioning the patient and providing the patient with emotional support. Clean up equipment and supplies following the treatment and / or procedure.
• Observes, measures, records oral food and fluid intake. Sets up full strength tube feeding solutions and refills tube feeding bags as directed. Empties and records output, as approved, from a variety of sources, e.g., Foley catheter, ostomy appliances and drainage systems. Performs ostomy care on established ostomate patients as directed.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness to patients' needs by acting as a source of information and approaches all interactions with the intention of building positive rapport and relationships.
• Provides respectful, culturally and age-appropriate communication with patients, staff, family, visitors and others.
• Replenishes patient and unit supplies and equipment.
• Requests assistance from identified resources when more direction is needed.
• Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards and / or books, bulletin boards, posted notices and reads and responds to UMMHC e mails on a regular basis.

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities :

All responsibilities are essential job functions.

II. Position Qualifications :

III. Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions : Position requires work indoors in a patient care environment. Hand dexterity, hearing and vision ability to take direction from a patient or provider, adjust equipment, observe and describe patient observations. Must be able to lift, up to 50 pounds. Work is of heavy demand, standing and walking most of the time with the possibility of pushing heavy equipment and bending frequently.