Patient Care Technician

Job Summary

The Patient Care Technician provides direct patient care to an assigned group of patients, prepares patients for treatment and procedures, and assists in the general care of patients. Supervision is not typically a responsibility of this position, but may provide leadership for lower level aides or act as preceptor for new staff. Does related work as required.

• Provides care for assigned group of patients as described in individualized care plans and directed by a Registered Professional Nurse.
• Provides end of shift, face to face hand-off to incoming Patient Care Technician.
• Reports to supervising nurse when duties are not able to be completed on the shift so that additional support can be arranged and the assignment completed prior to the next shift.
• Observes, records and reports general condition of patient.
• Identifies significant changes in patient's clinical status, such as increased confusion, restlessness or lethargy or decreased response, and communicates to appropriate member(s) of the treatment team.
• Performs unit specific care competencies.
• Meets patient need for comfort and safety by providing orientation, including maintaining time-appropriate lighting, providing orienting stimuli such as clock, watch, TV, and newspaper, and providing eyeglasses and hearing aids, as needed.
• Assists with patient's nutritional and hydration needs, including setting up meal trays, feeding patient, filling out menu, providing supplemental nutrition as ordered by medical staff.
• Assists in patient admission by making sure the room is ready, welcoming patient to unit, and assisting with transfer and settling of patient into their room.
• Assists in patient discharge by assisting patient with gathering their belongings and removing any medical equipment at the direction of the supervising nurse.
• Obtains vital signs and weights, collects specimens and finger sticks, records all results in the EMR and immediately notifies the nurse of abnormal results.
• Maintains intake/output documentation, including emptying of urinal/foley, colostomy/ostomy, suction canisters, and meal/fluid intake.
• Assists patients with meals, sleeping and hygiene needs, such as bathing, shaving, shampooing and oral and denture care, and activities of daily living including dressing, ambulating, toileting and safe transfer techniques as directed by the supervising nurse
• Responds to intercom requests and obtains needed services from nurses, physicians, or other hospital personnel when necessary.
• Implements nursing safety interventions or the use of protective devices and equipment that maintain the safety of patients who have been identified as at risk for preventable injury.
• Assists nurse with turning appropriate patients every two hours.
• Transports patients to and from tests, procedures or therapeutic activities.
• Maintains and restocks nursing servers during each shift.
• Complies with hospital policies and procedures to ensure that patient's equipment, supplies and personal belongings are protected.
• Participates in classes, patient-centered conferences, workshops, in-service programs and unit and departmental meetings, as directed.

Experience:

Either: (a) high school two years' experience performing patient care duties in a medical, hospital or health care setting; (b) completion of a New York State approved Patient Care Technician program; or (c) satisfactory completion of a Patient Care Technician in-service program or equivalent as determined by nursing leadership.

Education:

Either: (a) high school and two years' experience performing patient care duties in a medical, hospital or health care setting; (b) completion of a New York State approved Patient Care Technician program; or (c) satisfactory completion of a Patient Care Technician in-service program or equivalent as determined by nursing leadership.

Licenses /

Certifications:

Current BLS or CPR certification by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross must be maintained throughout period of employment in this title.

Other:
Good knowledge of accepted standards of caring for and comforting the sick, disabled, injured or others requiring mental…