Patient Care Technician

Patient Care Technician I

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

Under the direction of the appropriate licensed clinician, the Patient Care Technician I performs a variety of patient care activities. Receives workplace education and training to assist members of the healthcare team in the care of patients.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provides clear, timely communication to the RN regarding observations and changes seen in patients. Examples, but not limited to changes in skin condition, vital signs, and/or mental status.
• Provides constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of a safe environment. Works to utilize interventions to de-escalate patients and if unsuccessful participates in restraints in accordance with training and education as directed.
• Assists patient with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, ambulating, meals and nourishment.
• Assists in moving, lifting, positioning, and transporting patients by utilizing proper safety techniques and body mechanics in all work-related activities.
• Maintains patient safety by performing patient safety checks, utilizing fall prevention alternative devices/strategies as directed, and following the Restraint Policy standards when caring for a restrained patient.
• Takes and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and pulse oxymetry). Measures and records patients' weights and heights.
• Performs EKG's, Point of Care (POC) tests and bladder scanning. Collects, labels and prepares specimens for transport to lab.

All responsibilities are essential job functions.

Position Qualifications:

• License/Certification/Education: Required: Minimum of a high school education or GED. Current Basic Life Support.
• Experience/Skills: Required: Demonstrated competency attainment in the Patient Care Technician I level, work a minimum of 800 hours and at least 6 months as a PCA I. Prior inpatient/outpatient care experience or clinical care training. Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and concise manner. Medical Terminology. Computer skills. Strong interpersonal skills to gather information from individuals, build relationships that support collaborative work within the department and across the organization and provide exceptional service to patients. Must have proven problem-solving abilities for routine situations. Must be able to remain calm when under stress or in emergency situations.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions: Position requires work indoors in a patient care environment. Hand dexterity, hearing and vision ability to take direction from a patient or provider, adjust equipment, observe and describe patient observations. Must be able to lift, up to 50 pounds. Work is of heavy demand, standing and walking most of the time with the possibility of pushing heavy equipment and bending frequently.