Patient Care Technician - Senior

UPMC McKeesport is seeking a Patient Care Technician, Senior to join the Emergency Department team. If you have strong patient‑care experience and are looking to contribute to a collaborative, high‑performing environment, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Professionalism & Team Support

• Supports departmental changes, quality initiatives, and improvement projects.
• Takes ownership of assignments and approaches challenges with a problem‑solving mindset.
• Demonstrates professionalism, accountability, and effective communication with all members of the healthcare team.
• Participates in committees, projects, and self‑review processes.
• Identifies learning needs and seeks opportunities to enhance skills and performance.
• Receives feedback constructively and requests assistance with planning or prioritizing tasks when needed.

Patient Care & Clinical Skills

• Performs all UPMC core nursing assistant duties, including ADLs (bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning/repositioning), vital signs, weights, I&O, blood glucose testing, specimen collection, Foley care, and telemetry application.
• Provides direct patient care, assists with procedures, and supports physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
• Reports changes in patient condition to the RN and provides patient/family instruction under RN direction.
• May apply, monitor, and remove restraints per protocol.
• Transports cardiac‑monitored patients safely throughout the hospital.

Advanced Skills (as applicable)

The Senior PCT must maintain competency in at least one of the following advanced skills based on departmental need:

• Basic arrhythmia recognition
• Complex wound care
• 12‑lead EKGs
• NG tube clamping and removal

Additionally, the Senior PCT must perform at least four of the following:

• Phlebotomy
• 12‑lead EKG
• Simple dressings
• Foley catheter removal
• Point‑of‑care testing
• Bladder scanning
• Straight catheterization
• IV catheter removal
• Femoral hemostasis
• IV insertion

Safety, Compliance & Documentation

• Adheres strictly to all hospital and patient‑care policies, including safety protocols and standard precautions.
• Documents patient information accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensures equipment issues are reported promptly to the appropriate department.
• Completes clerical tasks as needed to support unit operations.
• Contributes to unit‑wide responsibilities such as answering call lights, phones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.

Other Duties

• Performs all responsibilities in alignment with system‑wide competencies and behaviors.
• Completes additional tasks as assigned to support patient care and departmental operations.

Top candidates may be considered for Senior PCT or downgraded to PCT based on experience and skill level )

Education & Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following pathways:

• High school diploma or equivalent , and a) Two years of general healthcare experience meeting all requirements of the Patient Care Technician role, OR b) One year of healthcare experience and current enrollment in a PT/OT/PA program with completion of at least one clinical rotation, OR c) One year of healthcare experience and completion of a bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field.

Preferred Experience

• Nursing student with at least one completed clinical rotation
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic
• Current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program
• Microcomputer experience

Training & Competencies

• Successful completion of the Patient Care Technician Senior class (if hired into Senior role)
• Successful completion of basic information system training
• Basic arrhythmia course with annual competency (required for Senior PCT)
• Annual completion of a professional contribution (details provided post‑hire)
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

Medication Handling

• May enter rooms where medications are stored
• May transport medications only when transporting patients
• Medication transport is limited to movement between departments

Licensure, Certifications & Clearances

Required (within 30 days of hire unless noted)

• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (AHA standards; includes didactic and skills demonstration)
• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC) – within 60 days of hire
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting (with renewal)
• Act 33 Clearance (with renewal)
• Act 34 Clearance (with renewal)
• Act 73 FBI Clearance (with renewal)

Preferred

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)