Patient Care Technician (Nursing Student) - Medical ICU

Join UPMC Shadyside Critical Care Team!

UPMC Shadyside is hiring a casual Patient Care Technician, NS to join their team in the Medical ICU (MICU)! Nursing students who have completed 1 clinical rotation will be considered for this role.

As a Patient Care Technician, you'll deliver vital patient care and assist with departmental services according to established policies and procedures. Under the guidance of nurses or physicians, you'll maintain high standards of patient care.

Nursing Support roles require working rotating shifts, including daytime, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts. Patient Care Technicians will also be expected to work 12-hour shifts, with the possibility of a mix of 8-hour and 12-hour shifts.

About UPMC Shadyside's MICU:

The Medical ICU at UPMC Shadyside is the largest of Shadyside's ICUs. The MICU primarily cares for critically ill oncology medical, cardiac, and post-stem cell transplant patients, however, due to its size, the MICU frequently receives overflow from many other areas of the hospital. You can expect to see procedures such as tracheostomies and bronchoscopies right at the bedside, as well as the use of ventilators, vasopressors, and CRRT machines.

The MICU is very team-oriented, which is important as the unit can feel hectic at times; the MICU is an extremely rewarding environment for nursing support staff who enjoy thinking on their feet to meet challenges and solve problems.

Responsibilities:

• Direct Patient Care: Assist with daily living activities such as bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, and ambulating patients under RN supervision. Perform point-of-care testing including vital signs, blood glucose, weights, urine specimen collection, restraint placement & removal, I&O, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, HAC & PSI prevention (TEDs/SCDs), and Foley care.
• Environmental Maintenance: Ensure a safe and clean environment by performing safety checks, organizing patient rooms, and managing equipment. Changing bed linens, ensuring the hallways are clear of equipment/returning equipment, and keeping the unit tidy.
• Supplies & Equipment Management: Acquire, distribute, and manage supplies and equipment. Handle ordering, stocking, and setup of patient care items.
• Communication & Collaboration: Provide feedback to RN, communicate effectively with healthcare team members, and maintain professional relationships. Contribute to unit activities, such as responding to call lights and transporting patients.
• Documentation & Compliance: Document patient information accurately and complete clerical tasks. Adhere to safety policies, standard precautions, and procedures for bloodborne pathogens. Delivers patient nourishments, fills water pitchers, and distributes patient mail.
• Continuous Improvement: Receive and act on feedback, identify learning needs, and participate in self-review. Suggest and support departmental changes and improvements. Strictly adheres to all policies and practices relative to patient care and hospital-related information.
• Emergency Response & Companionship: Respond to emergent situations as needed and provide one-on-one supervision and companionship to patients.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions associated with the job.

Educational/Knowledge Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must also have either:
  • 1 year of experience
  • Enrollment in PT/OT/PA program or related healthcare training program with completion of at least one clinical rotation
  • Completion of a bachelor's degree in a health sciences field.
• Successful completion of UPMC patient care technician class or basic information system training.
• Microcomputer experience preferred. Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic or currently enrolled in an EMT or Paramedic program preferred.
• Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse

Licensure/Certification:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran