Patient Care Tech

Patient Care Technician

Under the direction of professional nursing staff, provides direct patient care. Takes vital signs, checks surgical dressings, and aids with activities of daily living (ADLs). This role performs blood draws and collects specimen samples. Observes and collects data and communicates about the patient's status in order to identify needs and provides needed care. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary patient care services team.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Performs testing and manages the care of the patient based on results achieved and clinical findings.
• Records patient care along the continuum, including activities of daily living (ADLs): feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and transferring.
• Completes, documents and reports patient vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation and reported pain level).
• Assists in admission, transfer and discharge of patients.
• Participates in cost effective strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
• Promotes patient safety including fall prevention. Ensures the safety of the clinical environment for patients, visitors, and other staff members.
• Maintains order and appearance of patient rooms and work area. Maintains patient care supplies and linen.
• Provides post-mortem care.
• Collaborates with members of the health care team to carry out the plan of care, including reporting observed changes in patients' condition.
• Ensure patient comfort relative to their pain status.
• Measures and documents patient urinary and stool output. Documents calorie count. Measures and documents patient weight.
• Assists with indwelling urinary catheter care. Applies, maintains and removes external urinary catheter devices. Performs bladder scans, measures post void residuals and documents. Inserts both intermittent and indwelling catheters, documenting volume output.
• Conducts blood glucose monitoring.
• Performs venipuncture for drawing blood samples and establishes IV access.
• Performs nasal swabs.
• Gathers equipment required and initiates placement IV for the patient as directed by the registered nurse.
• Sets up and operates multiple lead EKG machines; attaches and removes EKG leads; runs a rhythm strip.
• Assists with enteral tube feedings via nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes, as supervised by licensed nurse.
• Performs chest physical/physio therapy, tracheal suctioning, tracheostomy care and incentive spirometry treatments as delegated and supervised by the responsible registered nurse.
• Assists with simple dressing changes, such as routine dressings to stage one and two wounds, surgical incisions, and peripheral IV sites after assessment by a Registered Nurse. Provides wound care to promote healing and maintain structural integrity of the skin. Performs skin care and hygiene and reports impaired skin integrity and/or wound impairment. Assists with appropriate strategies and/or treatment measures to provide wound care.
• Assists with collection of patient specimens for laboratory testing. Incorporates proper techniques for patient identification, method for collection of appropriate specimen(s) and documentation.
• Provides orthopedic/rehab device care: e.g. braces, splints, CPM. Dons/doffs compression wraps/stockings.
• Precepts and mentors other PCTS (PCT I and PCT II), ensuring completion of documentation.
• Participates in hourly patient rounding in collaboration with the health care team.
• Responds to patient triggered alarms, including call light, chair alarm, bed alarm, tele-sitter alarm, etc.
• Complies with the The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals within scope of practice.
• Detects, reports, and acts to avoid or correct safety risks. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Provides professional vigilance to assigned patients, including when assigned as a patient safety companion.
• Incorporates safe lifting techniques and body mechanics in daily practice.
• Improves patient flow and prevents care delays.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

High school diploma or equivalent required. Current Maryland state certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) required. One (1) year of previous experience preferred. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

Able to effectively communicate using verbal and written skills. Maintain interpersonal relationships and use teamwork skills to provide care along with other team members in a cohesive manner. Ability to organize work priorities, perform several duties simultaneously and function in stressful situations. Ability to learn and use computer systems. Demonstrates proper technique and skills needed for obtaining accurate blood glucose results and documenting findings. Demonstrates the ability to perform delegated nursing tasks according to the age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual diagnostic needs of the persons served. Demonstrates knowledge, practice and accountability for skills or procedures that require aseptic technique.