Patient Care Tech - Acute Care Medicine - Days

The Patient Care Technician provides direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and the plan of care under the direction of the RN or licensed independent practitioner.

Acute Care Medicine Unit is an expanding Acute and Progressive Care unit specializing in providing quality care to Internal Medicine patients of a variety of medical diagnoses including renal, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, hepatology, infectious disease, endocrine, gerontology, and a specialized focus on adult patients living with cystic fibrosis. Since 2015 Acute Care Medicine has been recognized by AACN as a Beacon Gold Unit for Excellence highlighting our continuous commitment to using evidence-based information to improve patient outcomes, patient and staff satisfaction, and credibility with consumers. We achieve this through an inter-professional collaborative approach that fosters both novice and expert clinicians with a focus on self-care and professional development of the clinical nurse

Essential Job functions :

Provide safe and direct care to patients in their assigned unit making age-appropriate adjustments as needed. Monitor patients' conditions and provide updates to the health care team.

Provide direct and indirect care to patients with and without medical / surgical complications to meet their comfort, personal hygiene and safety needs.

Provide care in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and deliver per VCUHS Nursing and Hospital policy and procedure.

Ensure assigned clinical location is maintained as a safe, clean, stocked environment to facilitate meeting patient needs and unit / healthcare team functioning.

Maintain supplies, educational material, equipment, sterilization of supplies, instruments and the environment to promote quality, safe patient care outcomes (as applicable).

Contribute to the patient experience by accurately identifying the patient, by observing safety goals and reporting to a licensed independent practitioner, manager and / or Registered Nurses regarding the patient's physical and mental responses to the plan of care or any incident posing harm or threat to a patient.

Obtain and record initial and ongoing patient information throughout the cycle of care, including admissions data, vital signs, height and weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake and output, calorie counts, and other patient information as outlined by VCUHS policy.

Obtain or assist in the collection of specimens for diagnostic or waived tests.

Attend all mandatory in-services and trainings and adhere to online training requirements.

Ensure patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

Establish and maintain courteous and effective rapport with patients, visitors, co-workers, and other members of health care team; demonstrate sensitivity and awareness to needs of patients, visitors and co-workers and respond promptly to verbal and / or written instructions.

Performs other duties, as assigned.

Patient Population :

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.

Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Neonates (0-4 weeks), Infant (1-12 months), Pediatrics (1-12 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adults (18-64 years), Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Employment Qualifications :

Required Education :

High School Degree or equivalent

Preferred Education :

Certified Nursing Assistant

Licensure / Certification Required :

AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent

Licensure / Certification Preferred : N / A

Minimum Qualifications :

Required Qualifications :

Certification / Completion of one of the following :

Certified Nursing Assistant

Medical Assistant

Emergency Medical Technician

Military Corpsmen / Medic

Nursing Aide Training Program

Experience within a healthcare environment

OR

Completion of foundations / clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required :

Knowledge of patient data collection and documentation (i.e. vital signs, intake / output, change in patient condition)

Knowledge of basic hygiene and activities of daily living care

Ability to assist with feeding, hydration, and nutrition

Ability to assist with ambulation and patient mobility

Ability to provide safe, compassionate care

Accountability for completion of assigned tasks

Ability to wear personal protective equipment as needed

Cultural Responsiveness :

Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred :

Acute care experience as a nursing assistant or aide experience

Working Conditions :

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse.

May be required to use physical restraints.

May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.

May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.

May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.

May have periods of constant interruptions.

• Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements :

Physical Demands : Lifting / Carrying (0-100 lbs.), Push / Pull (0-100 lbs.), Climb, Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Balance, Bend

Work Position : Sitting, Walking, Standing

Additional Physical Requirements / Hazards :

Physical Requirements : Manual dexterity (eye / hand coordination); Perform shift work; Maneuver weight of patients; Hear alarms / telephone / tape recorder; Reach above shoulder; Repetitive arm / hand movements; Finger Dexterity

Hazards : Depth perception; Exposure to toxic / caustic / chemicals / detergents; Exposure to moving mechanical parts; Exposure to x ray / electromagnetic energy; Exposure to high pitched noises

Mental / Sensory - Emotional :

Mental / Sensory : Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional : Fast pace environment, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent change

Nights

EEO Employer / Disabled / Protected Veteran / 41 CFR 60-1.4.