Patient Care Technician (Behavioral Health Unit)

Behavioral Health Unit Patient Care Technician

The Behavioral Health Unit at CentraState Medical Center offers a deeply rewarding opportunity for those looking to begin, transition, or advance a career in behavioral health nursing. This acute general unit features nineteen blended beds—twelve for voluntary patients and seven for involuntary patients—and serves adults aged 18 and older experiencing acute psychiatric conditions. These include schizophrenia and psychotic spectrum disorders, depressive and obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma-related illnesses, and co-occurring substance use disorders. The unit is supported by a cohesive, evidence-based MAGNET nursing team within a dynamic multidisciplinary care environment.

CentraState Medical Center currently has an employment opportunity available for a Patient Care Technician (PCT) in the Behavioral Health Unit. The PCT provides skilled technical assistance to licensed professionals by performing assigned duties and services required to deliver high-quality patient care. Responsibilities are carried out in accordance with Joint Commission standards, CentraState Healthcare System policies, and established clinical protocols. Care is delivered through a patient-focused, multidisciplinary model that emphasizes collaboration and safety.

Responsibilities

• Provides considerate respectful care focused upon the patient's individual need to ensure patient satisfaction.
• Affirms the patient's right to make decisions regarding his/her medical care, including the decision to discontinue treatment, to the extent permitted by law.
• Demonstrates the ability to obtain information and interpret information in terms of the needs of the age of the patients cared for. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of care needed based on the age of the patients cared for.
• Successfully completes life-span education as appropriate.
• Correctly performs all scheduled and assigned tasks while continually observing patient needs.
• Accurately checks exterior of code cart each shift.
• Verbalizes/performs understanding of 1:1 precautions and documents appropriately.
• Supports operations by demonstrating ability and willingness to float between units as a PCT and provides 1:1 patient observation when deemed necessary.
• Always answers patient call lights in a timely manner.
• Provides basic nursing care, including partial and/or complete direct personal hygienic care to patients (i.e.: bathing, feeding, diversional activity) and assists patients with activities of daily living.
• Correctly makes occupied and unoccupied beds.
• Assists with the elimination needs of the patient while providing privacy and dignity.
• Correctly feeds patients.
• Performs tasks to maintain patient mobility.
• Accurately performs simple wound care and ostomy care.
• Correctly empties drainage bags and maintains accurate intake and output documentation.
• Accurately performs incentive spirometry and pulse oximetry.
• Collects and labels specimens without error.
• Correctly sets up and maintains oxygen equipment for the Emergency Department.
• Accurately maintains feeding tubes.
• Accurately collects and documents patient data (TPR, I&O, specimen collection, height and weight) utilizing learned technical skills under the direction of the RN. Accurately documents patient data.
• Accurately obtains and documents temperatures, pulses, respirations and blood pressure.
• Collects blood specimens through venipuncture and/or capillary finger stick.
• Accurately performs bedside glucose monitoring, and calibration of Accucheck and enters data.
• Retrieves blood from the Blood Bank.
• Performs post mortem care.
• Notifies nurse immediately for patient's complaints of pain/discomfort and any observed change in condition. Provides appropriate interventions for pain as directed by nurse and reports outcomes.
• Follows CentraState policy regarding restraint application, documentation and observation.
• Properly performs electrocardiograms.
• Performs rounding as per guidelines.
• Accurately measures and documents intake and output.
• Reports patient intake and output to nurse.
• Supports cost containment through efficient use of equipment, supplies and other pertinent resources.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Work Experience:
  • One year nursing assistant healthcare experience required OR
  • Successful completion of an approved CNA or PCT training course required OR
  • Currently enrolled in a degreed nursing program AND completed an introductory nursing course such as Nursing 101 or equivalent OR completed a semester of a school sponsored clinical rotation in an acute setting.
• CPR Certification required.
• Glucose certification is provided by CentraState during orientation.
• Strong professional, organizational, and interpersonal skills to effectively relate with all members of the healthcare team.

About Us

CentraState Healthcare System, in partnership with Atlantic Health System, is a fully accredited, not-for-profit, community-based health system dedicated to providing comprehensive health services in central New Jersey. Beyond offering a wide range of advanced diagnostic and treatment options, CentraState is committed to being a valuable health partner, focusing on disease prevention, promoting healthy behaviors, and helping individuals of all ages live well.

Located in Freehold, CentraState includes a 284-bed acute-care hospital, a dynamic health and wellness campus, two award-winning senior living communities, a charitable foundation, and convenient satellite health pavilions. These pavilions offer primary care, specialty physician practices, and access to outpatient services such as lab work and physical therapy.

CentraState is proud to be among the less than two percent of hospitals nationwide to earn Magnet® designation for nursing excellence five times. Additionally, it has been recognized as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ Company by Great Place to Work® for four consecutive years.

Joining CentraState means becoming part of a pioneering healthcare facility committed to high-quality, patient-focused care. We invite you to make a difference in our community and advance your career with us. We support our employees with work/life balance initiatives, tuition assistance, career advancement opportunities, and more.

Discover why our employees love their jobs and being part of the CentraState family!

CentraState Health System offers a competitive and comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports the health, financial security, and well-being of all team members.

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Coverage (30 hours per week or above for full-time and part-time team members)
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (with options to supplement)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• 401(a) Retirement Plan with employer contribution
• PTO
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Well-Being Rewards
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fertility Coverage, Healthy Pregnancy Program
• Flexible Spending & Commuter Accounts
• Pet, Home & Auto, Identity Theft and Legal Insurance
• Growth Opportunity and Workforce Development Initiatives
• Continuing Education / Onsite Training
• A warm, welcoming company culture based upon mutual respect and a collaborative goal of providing excellent patient care
• Concierge Services with Work & Family Benefits
• Magnet recognized healthcare facility

Compensation Range: $19.50 - $31.20 per hour

The compensation above reflects the established range from CentraState Healthcare System (CSHS) for this position at the time the job was posted. CSHS considers many factors to determine compensation, including education, experience, skills, licenses, certification, and training. As such, team member compensation may fall outside this range.

Additionally, the compensation range reflects base salary and does not include extra shift rates or incentives tied to quality, productivity, etc., as applicable.

The benefits outlined also reflect CSHS' policy at the time of posting. Benefits as are made available to other similarly situated team members of CSHS, although participation is at all times in accordance with and subject to the eligibility and other provisions of such plans and programs. CSHS may modify its benefits plans or programs at any time.

CSHS is proud to comply with all pay equity and pay transparency laws.