Patient Care Technician

Job Title

FTE/Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0.90 / 36 / Weekend Package (United States of America) Weekend Package Day Shift: Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Primary Functions

1. Performs clerical/receptionist duties for the nursing unit and facilitates communication needs of the department.

2. Provides direct and indirect patient care within their scope of practice under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

1. Performs receptionist duties for the department, including answering the telephone, taking messages, and meeting and directing visitors.

• Independently performs receptionist duties.
• Utilizes professionalism and promotes satisfaction with customer interaction.

2. Monitors condition and operation of equipment and supplies for repair, restocking and replacement as needed. Coordinates supply management.

• Maintains and organizes supplies for the unit.
• Reports equipment failures or malfunction and keeps nurses informed of equipment failures.
• Orders supplies as needed.

3. Transcribes/processes orders, maintains and updates patient charting forms.

• Generates the appropriate paperwork in a timely manner.
• Processes and transcribes orders in an accurate and timely manner.
• Clarifies unclear orders with the registered nurse or provider.

4. Supports the nursing profession by contributing to the professional development of peers and colleagues, and actively participating in teams and committees.

• Volunteers for one or more WHC committee or projects that contribute to the practice of nursing.
• Addresses issues or concerns with colleagues directly in a constructive manner with intervention from management as appropriate.
• Shares knowledge and skills with peers and colleagues.
• Maintains compassionate and caring relationships with peers and colleagues contributing to a supportive and healthy work environment.

5. Uses telecommunication effectively to notify appropriate staff.

• Announces and implements code communication appropriately.
• Utilizes pager system appropriately.
• Communicates with patients and notifies nursing of requests.

6. Collaborates with providers and other healthcare team members for continuity of care. Makes phone calls to coordinate patient consults, referrals, and appointments.

• Demonstrates a caring consciousness through utilization patient centered programs/therapies to meet the holistic needs of the healthcare provider, patient, and family. Holistic needs include physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, cultural, and psychological needs.
• Takes responsibility to respond to patient care and departmental concerns through contacting appropriate resources and initiating actions for concerns identified.
• Makes phone calls, communicates referrals and appointments appropriately.

7. Accurately maintains patient census, patient level of care, and maintains computer proficiency.

• Accurately admits, discharges, and transfers patients in the hospital computer system.
• Ensures the patient's level of care and isolation status is accurate in the computer system.
• Proficient in required computer functions and updates skills as needed.

8. Demonstrates knowledge of patient care techniques and supports patient care under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

• Completes delegated tasks and reports outcomes to primary nurse in a timely manner
• Seeks assistance for new knowledge or support when necessary.
• Answers call lights promptly and assists patients with their requests.
• Documents care and observations in the patient record. Notifies the primary nurse of unanticipated changes, significant conditions, and reactions related to patient care.
• Documents accurately on the patient record at the point of care.
• Keeps the primary nurse informed of the patient status.

Minimum Qualifications Education, Experience, and Training

• Must possess high school diploma or equivalent.
• Medical Secretary training or knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Must have successfully completed a minimum of Nurse Aide I course and competency exams and be listed as eligible for employment on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry (Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Health Facilities Division). Completion of Nurse Aide II course preferred.
• Ability to learn and navigate computer systems including the online training modules, the employee timesheet and the performance appraisal system. Job specific systems are also required.
• Must be able to read, speak, and write fluent English.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting Approximately 50% of shift.
• Standing Approximately 25% of shift.
• Walking Approximately 25% of shift.
• Lifting Approximately 35 pounds. Must use, and require staff to use, when in hospital and pre-hospital settings, proper body mechanics and ergonomics and, as applicable, lifting/moving devices.
• Twisting Infrequent.
• Bending Moderate.
• Squat/Kneel Approximately 25% of shift.

Work Environment

1. May come in contact with hazardous chemicals or treatment modalities.

2. The possibility exists of exposure to communicable disease due to working in a healthcare environment.

3. Involvement in patient care may result in unavoidable work-related illnesses.