PCT (Patient Care Tech)

Psych CPEP Unit Position

Required certifications: BLS, PCT Cert, De-Escalation Training

Day shift: 7:00am-3:30pm

Evening shift: 3:00pm-11:30pm

Night shift: 11:00pm-7:30am

Beds: 46 beds, divided into sections

Fast track/triage: 1 section designated to triage and fast-track patients

Is security in-house 24/7? Housed in the ER?: Available in house 24/7

Nurse: patient ratios: varies

Required certifications: BLS, CPI

Common diagnoses: Patients with severe mental illnesses and behavioral issues including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more; often patients will have multiple comorbidities, but are typically medically stable. Medically unstable patients are transferred out.

Experience: Must have phlebotomy & 12 lead EKGs experience

Medications: No IVs. IM injections and PO medication administration. Psychotropics (Haldol, Zyprexa, Ativan, etc.)

ED physician/mid-levels: 3 physician on days, 1 physician and 1 resident on nights

Charge nurse/house supervisor? Does the charge nurse take an assignment?: Director oversees entire facility; charge doesn't take a patient assignment; coordinates unit and assists staff as needed

Nurse aids/EMT/Paramedics/Patient sitters? Ratios? Duties?: PCTs - Job duties: phlebotomy, 12 lead EKGs, 1:1s, transport, ADLs, patient contraband search, property inventory, assisting physicians and nurses, and more

Is RT in the ER 24/7? Do they do ABG's, breathing Tx, & EKG's?: Yes, RT available

RT equipment - Are RNs required to do anything with these besides troubleshoot?: RT available and will administer breathing treatments and assist in escalating any resp needs; equipped to intubate patients when needed but then would transfer them out

Do you have monitor techs in the ER? Are RNs required to read their own strips? What brand are the tele monitors?: Cardiac monitoring available, tele techs oversee, RNs asked to be able to identify major rhythms, life threatening rhythms, and rhythm changes

X-ray or CT in the ER? Transport?: Xray and CT available, PCTs transport

Does phlebotomy draw labs or RN's draw?: PCTs do blood draws

Shifts & scheduling: 7-3:30, 3-11:30, 11-7:30

Weekend requirements: EOW

Scrub color: Eggplant

Unit specific orientation: 3 weeks of orientation, 1 week of classroom, 1 week for inpatient units, and 1 week for assigned unit