PCT (Patient Care Tech)

Unit Notes
Department: Psychiatric (Adult) | RN
*Required Certifications: BLS, PCT Cert, De-escalation training
Day shift 7:00am-3:30pm
Evening 3:00pm-11:30pm
Nights 11:00pm-7:30am

- # Beds: 27 beds
- Required certifications: BLS, PCT Cert, De-escalation training
- Common diagnoses: 18 adults, schizophrenic, bipolar, schizoaffective, substance abuse, intellectually challenged
population- some placement issues, admitted from ER- medically stable. No detox or rehab patients, those go to another
unit.
- Experience: Must have 1 year in Psych experience. Ok with first time travelers.
- Do you ever have IV's on this unit?: No
- Charge Nurse: Charge Nurse- assistant nursing care coordinators run the unit 24 hours, 2 in am and 1 at night, travelers
could be placed in charge role. Support from all hours- charge at max 5-6 patients.
- Do you use physical restraints on this unit?: 4 points, leather- changing to another, want nursing to have experience, and
will be covered in orientation.
- Patient Care Technicians: PCTs- Job Duties: safety checks, room checks, vitals, weights on Saturday, ADLs, directly
observing patient care, rounding every 15 minutes, phlebotomy (must have prior experience- will do some re-education
on unit), blood glucose checks, 1:1s, and assisting nursing staff as needed.
- Is RT available if needed? If patients have oxygen or need treatments does RT do these?: Home cpap and bipap, rarely
used. Have to make a consult if low pulse ox, and likely transfer as they become a 1:1 when patients need continuous
oxygen.
- Is there tele on this unit? Monitor Techs? RNs read strips?: No
- Shifts & Scheduling: RN start at 7a-730p, 7p-730a. PCT Shifts: Days 0700-1530, Evenings 1500-2330, Nights 2300-0730.
Travelers to give availability and they will do their best to accommodate requests, but ask travelers to stay flexible and fill
gaps in permanent scheduling; do not guarantee block scheduling. Excessive call-ins are taken seriously and could lead to
termination.
- Weekend Requirements: Every other weekend.
- Holiday Requirements: At least 2-3 in a year.
- Is there call or a standby requirement?: None, in emergency might as to pick up.
- Floating Requirements: Travelers are first to float. Float to any psych to adults and children units, psych emergency- crisis
area, 5 beds/acute phase, detox, rehab.
- Scrub Color: Egg Plant
- Unit Specific Orientation: 3 days on this units and will orient to some units that you can float to.