Patient Care Technician- Waterloo Career Center Students

Overview

UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital

Patient Care Technician - Waterloo Career Center Students - Young Professional

PRN - As Needed

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) assists in the delivery of quality patient care under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). This position is designed for Waterloo Career Center students seeking healthcare experience and professional growth opportunities. The PCT provides compassionate support to patients, assists with activities of daily living, reports observations, and contributes to the efficient operation of the department.

Available Nursing Units

3 Heart 24-bed medical-surgical unit with a focus on cardiac care. Patient populations include CHF, COPD, pneumonia, post-procedure cardiac catheterization patients, pacemaker placements, ablations, cardiac stenting, cardioversions, TEE procedures, and post-operative open-heart surgery patients transitioning from the ICU.

3 Medical 25-bed medical-surgical unit specializing in renal, respiratory, and cardiac care. The unit frequently cares for dialysis patients, patients requiring high-flow oxygen therapy, and individuals with heart failure or recovering from cardiac catheterization procedures. The unit also includes two rooms equipped to accommodate stable ventilator-dependent patients with tracheostomies.

3 General Smaller medical-surgical unit with the capacity to care for 11-17 patients. Patient populations include individuals with pneumonia, renal failure, respiratory failure, cardiac conditions, and those recovering from various surgical procedures.

4 Medical 23-bed medical-surgical unit providing care for patients with a variety of diagnoses. Specialty areas include neurology, oncology/hematology, and hospice care. The unit features two hospice suites designed to support patients and families in a private and comfortable environment.

4 Surgical 28-bed surgical unit specializing in the care of patients before and after surgery. Patients recover from a wide range of surgical procedures and traumatic injuries, including motor vehicle accidents. The unit cares for most surgical specialties, excluding neurosurgery and open-heart surgery.

5 Ortho 13-bed orthopedic surgical unit focused on the recovery of patients undergoing orthopedic procedures, including fracture repairs, total knee replacements, total hip replacements, shoulder repairs, and other orthopedic surgeries.

Resource Team The Resource Team provides staffing support across multiple departments to assist with high patient census, staff absences, and leaves of absence. Team members may float to medical-surgical units, inpatient rehabilitation, the emergency department, intensive care unit, and mental health unit. Successful team members demonstrate adaptability, strong teamwork skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to thrive in a variety of clinical environments.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program .
• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family .

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

• Partners with the RN and other healthcare team members to achieve patient care outcomes and goals of care, as identified in the plan of care.
• Performs specific tasks as directed by the RN and other healthcare team members per competency education. Consults and seeks out guidance from RN and/or other healthcare team members, as appropriate and when completing new or unfamiliar tasks or duties.
• Obtains, records and/or accurately enters data into the EMR, as identified in the PCT scope of practice. Promptly completes documentation to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care.
• Verbally presents factual, concise, and timely information and/or patient care data to the RN, the healthcare team, patients and/or family members in a professional manner.
• Telesitter (applies to PCTs who have requested to learn this skill and Resource PCTs): Demonstrates understanding and proficiency of the use of the telesitter software.
• Maintains visual observation at all times . Verbally redirects patient over digital 2-way audio device that is in patient room. Immediately summons the nursing staff if the patient requires assistance .
• Hand-offs will be done with attention to detail and with safety as a high priority. Hand-offs are utilized to communicate patient treatment and assessment information, patient education needs, goals of care and other quality care measures at each change of caregiver or setting of care.
• Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections; reporting potential or actual concerns immediately .
• Maintains responsibility and accountability for the knowledge of conditions of assigned patients.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in the Waterloo Career Center healthcare program.
• Completion of nursing assistant or equivalent course.
• Six months of nursing assistant experience preferred.
• This position does not get reported with Direct Care Workers (DCW).
• Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English.
• Multicultural sensitivity.
• Microsoft Office – basic computer skills.
• Customer/patient focused.
• Critical thinking skills using independent judgment in making decisions.
• Capable of continuous monitoring of up to 15 patients on one screen at one time and remaining alert at all times while on duty.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients using a microphone and headset.
• Ability to communicate with hospital staff and respond quickly to patient behavioral changes.
• Ability to use discretion and courtesy when working with patients, visitors, and staff.
• Ability to prioritize simultaneous situations.