What are the responsibilities and job description for the Patient Care Technician (Empowered Excellence Champion) - Cardio Thoracic Unit - HBG position at UPMC?
The PCT Empowered Excellence Program develops highly skilled Patient Care Technicians through advanced training, mentorship, and intentional skill building—empowering them to elevate team performance, strengthen patient safety, and deliver exceptional quality care.
The PCT Empowered Excellence Program hires Patient Care Technicians directly into a designated nursing unit while also integrating them into a centralized PCT team to build skills focused on relationships, clinical skills, quality, and safety to support broader organizational needs. This dual‑placement model strengthens onboarding, builds clinical versatility, and enhances patient care by allowing participants to develop deep familiarity with their home unit while gaining additional experience and networking through centralized support. Opportunities are available across several specialties, including neurology, cardiac care, orthopedics, and medical‑surgical units, providing a structured pathway for skill development and professional growth.
Nursing Support roles require working rotating shifts, including daytime, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts. With the possibility of a mix of 8-hour and 12-hour shifts.
All hired candidates are required to complete a mandatory training course, with full attendance expected for the entire duration.
About the Role:
The PCT Empowered Excellence Program hires Patient Care Technicians directly into a designated nursing unit while also integrating them into a centralized PCT team to build skills focused on relationships, clinical skills, quality, and safety to support broader organizational needs. This dual‑placement model strengthens onboarding, builds clinical versatility, and enhances patient care by allowing participants to develop deep familiarity with their home unit while gaining additional experience and networking through centralized support. Opportunities are available across several specialties, including neurology, cardiac care, orthopedics, and medical‑surgical units, providing a structured pathway for skill development and professional growth.
Nursing Support roles require working rotating shifts, including daytime, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts. With the possibility of a mix of 8-hour and 12-hour shifts.
All hired candidates are required to complete a mandatory training course, with full attendance expected for the entire duration.
About the Role:
- Acts as a mentor, peer resource and model of clinical excellence at all times
- Models safe patient-handling and evidence‑based practices
- Supports onboarding and competency validation
- Partners with nursing leadership in safety, quality, and patient‑experience initiatives
- Attends scheduled trainings and meetings
- Maintains a strong attendance and professionalism
- In addition the Patient Care Technicians provide routine patient care and support the department services in accordance with established policies and procedures. This role will be directed by nurses and/or physicians to ensure that the highest degree of quality patient care can be maintained at all times. Patient care duties may include, but are not limited to, ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning patients, and blood glucose), vital signs, simple dressings, EKGs, bladder scans, and all specimen collections.
- Successful completion of UPMC patient care technician class.
- Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred.
- Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse.
- Patient Care Technician:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 2 years of healthcare experience, OR 1 year of experience plus completion of at least one clinical rotation as part of a nursing or PT/OT/PA program or related health care training, OR 1 year of experience and completion of a bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field.
- Annual completion of a professional contribution to be determined after hire.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
- Act 34