PCT (Patient Care Tech)

Unit Notes
Department: Adolescent Psych | PCT
*Required Certifications: BLS, PCT Cert
Day shift 7:00am-3:30pm
Evening 3:00pm-11:30pm
Nights 11:00pm-7:30am

- # Beds: 27 beds (11 census lately- on average. Divided into two units: Child Side:11 beds, 2 EOB Beds (extended
observation bed). Adolescent Side: 14 beds.
- Nurse: Patient Ratios: 1:6 for days and nights, minimum on the floor are 3 nurses, must be one nurse on each side of the
unit and a third to go between the two areas.
- Required certifications: BLS, PCT
- Common diagnoses: Child side: 5-11years old and Adolescent side: 12-17 years, 18+ move to adult psych. Common:
ADHD, depression, mood disorder, autism, intellectually challenged population, some schizophrenic, bipolar, more history
of substance abuse, some placement issues- average LOS is 3 weeks and some can much be longer. Medically stable,
some dual sign off medications. No detox or rehab patients, those go to another unit. More focus on connecting, talking
and eye contact than physical touch with these populations.
- Experience: Must have 1 year in Psych experience and some pediatric clinical experience. Ok with first time travelers.
Considerate and kind and sacrifice time to work with theses children's.
- Do you ever have IV's on this unit?: No only in code/ emergent situations.
- Charge Nurses: Charge Nurse- assistant nursing care coordinators run the unit 24 hours, travelers could be placed in
charge role and been there awhile. Charge will take an assignment.
- Do you use physical restraints on this unit?: Seldomly, even less for the Children vs. adolescent. And will be covered in
orientation.
- Patient Care Technicians: PCTs: directly observing patient care, rounds q 15 minutes, EKG, phlebotomy, ratios depend on
staffing needs. Mental Health Aids/Worker, no phlebotomy or EKG, and observe and engage in activities with the
patients.
- Is RT available if needed? If patients have oxygen or need treatments does RT do these?: No, emergency situations only.
- Is there tele on this unit? Monitor Techs? RNs read strips?: No
- Shifts & Scheduling: RN 7a-730p, 7p-730a. PCT/CNA 7a-330p ,3-1130p, and -11p- 730a.
Do not guarantee block scheduling. Excessive call-ins are taken seriously and could lead to termination.
- Weekend Requirements: Every other weekend.
- Holiday Requirements: Expected to work at least 1 major holiday during holiday season.
- Is there call or a standby requirement?: None
- Floating Requirements: Travelers are first to float. Try to keep in this unit, float to any psych to adults and children units,
psych emergency- crisis area, detox, rehab.
- Scrub Color: RN: Royal Blue, PCT/ CNAs: Eggplant.
- Unit Specific Orientation: 3 days on this units and will orient to units that you can float to. Manager really supports staff
and wants them to be successful.

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