Patient Care Tech - Float Pool PT nights

Patient Care Technician

Under the direction of the RN, the technician works cooperatively with all team members to provide direct (basic) patient care, transport services, and general support duties. The technician is responsible and accountable for all patient care given and must adhere to all standards of care within the scope of practice identified.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates competency in populations served, interpersonal communication and relationships as applies to job functions and clinical areas assigned.

Identifies self using AIDET to patient and family / visitors at the beginning of the shift and updates patient white board with care team and contact information.

Implements the patient care plan by providing direct patient care using AIDET during all forms of communication for assigned patients and all other encounters with patients / families and other departments, including but not limited to patient care, transport, repositioning, answering phones, and responding to call lights.

Performs purposeful hourly rounding and documents in the record actions or observations of the rounds.

Answers the telephone and patient call system promptly and courteously and relays calls / messages to the appropriate person in a timely manner.

Orients / instructs patient / family regarding the physical environment, call light, phone, meals / snacks, open visitation, smoke free campus, and call - don't fall pledge.

Inventories and documents patient belongings in the medical record, on admission, transfer, and discharge ensuring safe disposition.

Receives report from the RN before beginning assignment.

Informs RN of new or unfamiliar condition changes, establishes patient care priorities with RN to address the specific patient care situations.

Prepares room for admission including disassembling room after transfers or discharges, e.g., empties suction canisters, cleans commodes, removes all equipment and supplies, and restocks.

Maintains a safe working environment : ensures unit equipment accounted for and in good working order with support of Biomed Department, ensures beds are in low position and locked at all times, assists patients with moving / ambulating as needed, keeps room free of clutter, observes all safety guidelines, ensures corridor walkways are free of equipment / clutter (e.g., clean core), keeps hallway clear.

Assists in maintaining a well functioning unit by : orders appropriate supplies for patient care, refills nurse servers, places charge documents in appropriate place.

Understands role in maintaining medication security to authorized personnel only.

Utilizes safe patient handling by selecting the appropriate lift equipment and asking for assistance when turning or moving a patient if required.

Identifies patients using identity band to verify the name and date of birth. Verifies medical record number prior to blood administration.

Demonstrates that all patients are considered to be at risk for falls and will have the following fall precautions : bed or gurney locked at all times, side rails up, call light within reach if available, ensures safe patient transfers, assists with ambulation as needed, environment free of clutter.

Adheres to infection prevention guidelines : Uses good hand washing technique, foam in and out of room. Adheres to isolation policy. Disposes of infectious waste properly.

Performs vital signs per physician order or unit policy, documents and notifies RN of any change or abnormal findings timely.

Assists patients and families and refers questions to the RN for follow-up.

Applies and monitors oxygen as directed by the RN.

Applies, monitors, and documents the use of restraints.

Assists with postoperative coughing, turning, and deep breathing.

Ensures that comfort supplies are easily accessible, e.g., tissues, water, grooming supplies.

Collects specimens as instructed using appropriate technique.

Performs point of care testing, quality control and maintenance procedures including uploading data on monitoring device. (i.e., glucose, urine dips, etc.)

Obtains blood and blood products from Blood Bank according to policies and procedures.

Prepares patient for examinations and treatments, draping, setting up equipment, and stocking supplies for bedside procedures.

Assists / performs treatments as directed by RN including : weight application, ambulation, foley care, application of binders, application of orthopedic devices, sitz baths, and others as directed.

Applies EKG leads to patients and sets up monitors, performs basic and 12 lead EKGs when the EKG technician is not available and follows Cardiology Department procedure to file and record EKG. Provides RN with EKG printout immediately.

Assists the MD or RN to apply skin traction (bucks, bryant, cervical, pelvic, balanced suspension) according to MD orders : Sets up traction bars, orthopedic devices, and trapezes per MD orders : Arm sling, Cervical collar, Braces, Immobilizers, CPM, Hot ice machine, Sequential stockings, Abduction pillows. Assists with cast removal when Ortho tech is not on duty.

Documents accurately on I and O sheets all intake and output for assigned shift, including gomco, suction, hemovac, T-tubes, and foley outputs, NG Tubes, colostomy, and rectal bag drainage.

Reports any problems with equipment to the house supervisor. Assists the house supervisor / nurse manager when families wish to view bodies : removes body from morgue and places in the viewing room. Ensures that the area is clean and prepared for the family. Ensures linen on the patient is clean. Prepares the body to be viewed, e.g., open shroud, adjust lighting.

Provides break coverage for unit secretaries or other PCTs and comparable positions.

Assists with transfers ensuring secure and complete transfer : collects personal belongings, assists patient to wheelchair / gurney, accompanies patient to new room, provides patient with call light.

Transports deceased patients to the morgue : identifies the body per policy.

Activates and participates in emergency response situations as directed by policy.

Department Specific Competencies

Maintains traction and trapeze equipment in good order and stores in a safe manner.

Applies physical pressure after A-line removal by RN or MD; records pedal pulses (ICCU only).

Additional Information :

Meet any of the following : CNA certification Successful completion of first semester enrolled in RN program or a graduate from a RN Program and awaiting next in-house New Grad Residency Program application process Current certification as National Registry EMT or LA County EMT Current paramedic license issued by the State of California EMS Authority (EMSA) Certified Medical Assistant

License / Certification Requirements :

BCLS or ACLS Certification within 6 months of hire from the American Heart Assoc.

Compensation Range : $24.00 - $31.51 / Hourly