PCA I/II, Foster Wing, 24 Hours, Days

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Performs other selected unit specific procedures, such as battery changes for telemetry units, checking status of unit equipment, cleaning equipment between patients and proper storage of supplies.
• Assists RN/Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing patient, obtaining equipment and supplies, helping to position patient, providing the patient with emotional support, and cleaning up equipment and supplies following the treatment and/or procedure.
• Observes, measures, records oral food and fluid intake. Refills tube feeding bags as directed. Empties and records output, as approved, from a variety of sources, e.g., foley catheter, ostomy appliances and drainage systems. Performs ostomy care on established ostomate patients as directed.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness to patients' needs by acting as a source of information and approaches all interactions with the intention of building positive rapport and relationships.
• Provides respectful, culturally and age-appropriate communication with patients, staff, family, visitors and others.
• Replenishes patient and unit supplies and equipment as needed.
• Requests assistance from identified resources when more direction is needed.
• Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards and/or books, bulletin boards, posted notices and reads and responds to UMMHC e mails on a regular basis.

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: Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and concise manner. Basic computer skills. Basic Medical Terminology knowledge. Must be able to remain calm when under stress or in emergency situations.

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements. Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.

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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We're striving to make respect a part of everything we do at UMass Memorial Health for our patients, our community and each other. Our six Standards of Respect are: Acknowledge, Listen, Communicate, Be Responsive, Be a Team Player and Be Kind. If you share these Standards of Respect, we hope you will join our team and help us make respect our standard for everyone, every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMass Memorial Health recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.