GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Patient Care Tech works under supervision of the professional nurse, assisting in performing specific duties and activities of daily living in caring for age specific groups identified in the position responsibilities. Actively participates in outstanding customer service and accepts responsibility in maintaining relationships that are equally respectful to all.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs as a team member in assisting with safe and effective patient care.

• Demonstrates competency and ability in all procedures, in communicating and providing basic care to geriatric and adult patients over 18 years of age (facility age specific requirements based on population served). (*for full scope of service facilities this would be infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients)

• Supports respect and privacy at all times in the delivery of care.

• Provides and records patient’s personal hygiene, comfort care, toileting, ambulation, nutrition, and hydration needs per unit/hospital standard.

• Ensures patient rooms are neat and clean.

• Obtains and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations, and pulse oximetry) per unit standard, reports abnormal findings to the licensed nurse.

• Measures and records patient intake and output according to hospital standard.

• Responds to nurse/patient intercom system in a timely manner.

• Obtains lab specimens and transports if needed, per hospital policy and procedure.

• Transports patients as directed by licensed nursing personnel using appropriate transfer equipment.

• Keeps patient rooms and isolation cubicles stocked with standard personal protection equipment per unit standard. Replaces sharps containers based on competency and hospital standard.

• Inspect skin condition on all patients for potential skin breakdown and implements preventative measures. Communicate changes in skin integrity to the licensed nurse.

• Discontinue foley and straight catheters based on education/competency achieved, per licensed nurse instructions and policy.

• Notifies licensed nurse of problematic IV sites based on education/competency achieved, per licensed nurse instructions and policy.

• Initiate High Risk for Falls preventative strategies as appropriate.

• Performs and records simple dressing changes based on education/competency achieved, per licensed nurse instructions and policy.

• Demonstrates competency in the application and care of the patient in restraints under the direction of the licensed nurse.

• Performs and records point of care blood glucose measurement based on education/competency achieved per hospital standard.

• Acts as communication liaison for the patient, family, and interdisciplinary healthcare team.

• Utilizes the principles of cost containment by conserving equipment & supplies.

• Accepts reassignment in a professional and cooperative manner.

• Communicates patient care problems to appropriate personnel in a timely manner.

• Maintains confidentiality.

• Demonstrates awareness of patient’s rights and functions as a patient advocate.

• Functions in a professional and calm manner during emergent/crisis situations.

• Reports malfunctioning of equipment and processes work orders per policy.

• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Demonstrate ability and understanding of the age specific care requirements of the population served.

• Demonstrates the ability to utilize the electronic medical record in the documentation of patient care.

• Requirement of close attention and mental effort in carrying out multiple assigned duties for up to twelve and possibly more throughout a shift.

• Computer skills

• Medical terminology

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

• Minimum of 6 months hospital or nursing home experience in a patient care setting preferred

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIRED:

• Must maintain a current Basic Life Support Card