Patient Care Technician

TITLE: (Acute) PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN

DEPARTMENT: Nursing REPORTS TO: CNO

LOCATION: On-site Only FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

JOB SUMMARY

Provides direct and indirect patient care activities under direct supervision. Assists patients with activities of daily living, providing for personal care, comfort, and assistance when necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Floor Patients:

• Receives report from nursing staff on shift upon arriving to floor.
• Rounds on patients, obtains and documents vital signs, weights, blood glucose readings as ordered. Pass fresh ice water each shift or as needed.
• Take meal orders, pass trays, assist with feedings, pick up trays, and return cart to dietary in a timely fashion. Documentation of nutritional intake in the EHR.
• Schedule bath days and linen changes for all patients and note them on the careboards in the rooms. Our goal is that every patient will have a bath twice a week (more often if needed). The whirlpool tub in the Living Center can be utilized around their bath schedule. All Swingbed patients should be dressed in their clothes whenever possible.
• Answer call lights, hourly rounds of patients with documentation of interactions.
• Keep rooms tidy. When patients are up out of bed, their beds should be made. All extra linens, supplies and trash should be dealt with.
• Completion of daily task list that includes stocking and cleaning rooms, checking for outdates, etc.
• Assist with ER patients as outlined below.
• Make last rounds before end of shift, emptying and documenting and foleys, drains, etc. Checking in with patients to see if they have any needs, making sure that bed/chair alarms are on as needed and call lights are in reach.

ER/Outpatients:

• Registering patients as needed, having patients sign consents to treat during registration unless an ER patient. Place armbands on patients.
• Assist ER patients to bed, obtain a full set of vital signs, height and weight. Obtain a blood glucose reading as directed by the nurse or provider. Place patient in a gown with bra removed if they are a fall, chest pain, abdominal pain or back pain.
• Automatically obtain a urine sample from anyone presenting with abdominal pain. Get the specimen, label it and place it on the counter in the room until ordered. Place the blood pressure cuff and SpO2 probe on every patient and set to measure at least every 30 minutes. Place on heart monitor as directed by the nurse or provider.
• Obtain EKGs as directed by the nurse or provider.
• Any concerning symptoms you notice should be reported to the nurse immediately (i.e. low oxygen level, struggling to breathe, fast or slow heart rate, low or high blood pressure, chest pain, low or high blood sugar, excessive bleeding, etc.).
• Every ER room should be stocked and tidied up even if it seems it hasn’t been used. See that equipment is in its place, monitor cords are clean and not tangled or hanging on the floor, IV pumps are plugged in, and call lights are in reach or hanging neatly on their hooks so everything is accessible in a hurry. The same applies to the PACU as this functions as backup space for the ER.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENT

Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking

Daily lifts/positions/transfers patients, with assistance,

Heavy workload: exerting 50-100 lbs of force occasionally, and/or 25-50 lbs of force frequently, and/or 10-20 lbs of force constantly to move objects.

Lifts supplies/equipment

Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching

Eye-hand coordination

Ability to carry out procedures as outlined

Normal eyesight, with or without corrective lenses

Normal hearing, with or without hearing aid

Exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries and illness)

Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances

May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases

Regularly expose to risk of blood borne diseases

Regular on-site attendance is required

(This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Directly Reporting: Does not supervise other employees

Interrelationships: Works cooperatively with all St. Luke departments

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Sufficient previous clinical experience preferred

Education: Post High School Vocational/Specialized Training

Req. Cert. / Current CNA certificate in the state where employed preferred but not required.

Registration: CPR Certification (or obtained within 6 months of hire)

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES: (This list may not include all of the duties assigned.)

• Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, continuous quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Performs basic nursing procedures, including collection of lab specimens, thermal applications, non-sterile soaks, application of simple dressing, and perineal care. Additional duties may be assigned after completion of coordinating competencies.
• Obtains and documents patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, weight, respiration, pulse, intake and output.
• Assists in admission, transfer and dismissal procedures of the patient.
• Provides personal care assistance to patients, including bathing, dressing, eating, bed pans, transportation, skin care, and positioning.
• Maintains patient documentation as outlined by hospital policy.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient data.
• Maintains patient records and charts to ensure an accurate record of medical treatment.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to patient comfort and privacy.
• Receives, greets and directs patients, visitors and hospital personnel as necessary.
• Schedules patient appointments according to hospital policy.
• Prioritizes workload and provides prompt and efficient service to the nursing unit.
• Requisitions supplies and equipment, maintenance and repair services, and prepares related forms.
• Performs clerical duties related to procedures such as admission, discharge, transfer and death.
• Keeps patient records current.
• Develops correspondence and reports, photocopies information, files information, and answers the telephone, takes messages and directs calls.
• Maintains a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients/families in accordance with hospital standards.
• Assists with care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies.
• Maintains department records, reports, and files as required.
• Participates in educational programs and inservice meetings as required.