Patient Care Tech (Med Surg) - PRN

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the DON and Charge Nurse, the Patient Care Tech (PCT) will promote palliative care and comfort for hospital inpatients, swing-bed patients, and hospice care patients, in accordance with Joint Commission, federal, state, and local guidelines, organizational and departmental policies and procedures. PCT gives routine, non-licensed, technical bedside care as requested by licensed staff member as a member of the Nursing Team.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

• Provides basic age-appropriate patient care under the supervision of an RN/LPN.

a) Basic hygiene is provided by offering complete or partial bath as needed (i.e. mouth care, hair care, shaving and catheter care) as assistant to the RN/LPN.

b) Vital signs are accurate and documented correctly according to unit specific policies and guidelines and gathered when requested by the RN/LPN.

c) Provides a secondary visualization of patients for pressure areas and promptly reports to RN/LPN.

d) I & O’s and weights are accurate and documented according to unit guidelines when requested by the RN.

e) Patient arm bands are checked upon admission, each shift and as needed.

f) Emptying and recording output from foley catheters and/or colostomies.

• Laboratory policy/procedures are followed.

a) Two patient identifiers are verified prior to specimen collection.

b) Verify ID band with the specimen label.

c) Other specimens: sputum, stools, urine, etc. are promptly delivered or sent to the laboratory as appropriate.

d) Patient armbands are scanned for bedside glucose testing.

• Collaborates with nursing and respiratory to provide appropriate respiratory care.

a) Encourages turning, coughing and deep breathing for appropriate patients.

b) Removes and reapplies oxygen when instructed by RN/LPN.

• Demonstrates patient safety awareness.

a) Ensures identification band is on each patient at beginning of shift.

b) Communicates fall risk and activates exit alarm as indicated.

c) Uses proper body mechanics.

d) Turns and positions patients every 2 hours as assistant with RN/LPN.

e) Demonstrates patient safety awareness.

• Performs tasks or clinical skills as delegated.

a) Maintains awareness of patient’s nutritional status and assists with meals as needed.

b) Performs urinary catheter care every shift and as needed.

c) Maintains infection control measures per policy.

d) Assists patients with readiness for discharge ensuring that all patient belongings are gathered. Upon D/C, prepares room for environmental services.

e) Ensures patient rooms are kept tidy and organized.

f) Restock supplies as directed by RN/LPN, to include linen, lab supplies, IV supplies.

• Maintains customer service as a priority.

a) Customers and co-workers are treated in a courteous manner.

b) New patients are promptly welcomed with patient care items and oriented to unit.

c) Call lights are answered promptly with message communicated to the appropriate person.

d) Listens to shift report.

e) Discusses patients plan for the day at the beginning of shift.

• Demonstrates interpersonal behaviors congruent with the basic principles of working well with others.

a) Focus on the situation, issue or behavior, not on the person.

b) Maintains self-confidence and self-esteem of others.

c) Maintain constructive relationships with co-workers, peers, managers and others maintaining a customer focus.

d) Take initiative to make things better.

e) Lead by example.

f) Apologies are offered for unexpected delays.

• Demonstrates team function.

a) Accountability and reliability are demonstrated by reporting to work as scheduled.

b) Compliance is demonstrated with adherence to the attendance policy.

c) Punctuality is observed as a priority; reports to the unit on time

Requirements

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Level of Education : High School or equivalent; or Patient Care Tech Certification or completion of (1) semester in a clinical nursing program.

Professional Requirements : Graduate of a PCT, Nursing Assistant, EMT, CMA, MOA, or U.S. Military Medic Program or Enrolled in a school of Nursing and has completed one (1) full semester of clinical rotations. Patient Care Tech certification preferred.

Formal Training: Additional training regarding glucose testing. (in-house training provided)

Licensure, Certification, Registration: PCT, CMA, MOA, EMT, or Nursing Assistant Certificate; also, BLS/CPR.

Work Experience: Preferred 6 months experience in a hospital/outpatient care setting.

Tools and Equipment Used

Calculator, personal computer, telephone, facsimile machine, paper shredder, copier, printer, standard office equipment, dynamap, telemetry.