Status:  Full Time

Shift:     7a-11p, 12hr shifts, hours vary based on dept needs, includes rotating weekends/holidays and possible call

Exempt: No 

Summary:

The Patient Care Tech main areas of responsibility:(1) Direct bedside patient care; (2) Contribute to orientation and competency training of PCT staff; (3) Maintain inventory and equipment utilized by department staff in work area; (4) Participates in monitoring of department indicators that reflect PCT performance; (5) Work with department leadership to improve job knowledge and skills. The Charge Nurse assigns the Patient Care Technician assignments. Assignments may be rotated or changed during the shift.

Other information:

Education:
The Patient Care Tech will be a high school graduate or have a diploma from an equivalent program.
The Patient Care Tech will have nursing assistant training, EMT training, Medical Technician certification or be enrolled in an accredited school of nursing and will complete a CPR course.

Experience/Skills:
Experience in emergency department or medical area patient preferred.
Familiarity and understanding of medical terminology.  

Physical Demands:
Strength: Medium
Push: Occasionally
Pull: Occasionally
Carry: Occasionally
Lift: Occasionally
Sit: Occasionally
Stand: Frequently
Walk: Frequently

Responsibilities:

I. General Responsibilities.
A.Maintain established levels of department inventory.
B.Organizes and preserves the patient’s medical record.
C.Greet persons presenting to the nurses station in a courteous and friendly manner.
D.Preserve department confidentiality of all patients.
E.Answers the telephone and utilizes the established phones courtesy protocol.
F.Answers the nurse call system and utilizes the computer and fax machine correctly.
G.Notifies the appropriate departments of physician orders and upholds interdepartmental relations.
H.Communicates messages and questions to appropriate staff.
I.Assists with the washing, identifying and returning of instruments to decontamination for sterilization.

II. Patient Care:Assists the registered nurse assigned admitting new patients to the unit or reassessing previously admitted patients as directed. Facilitates the evaluation, treatment and final disposition of the patient through the health care system.
A.Facilitates clear communication between the assessment area/or triage area and the charge nurse.
1Patient arrival.
2Patient location.
3Family members waiting with the patient.
B.Obtain and documents complete vital signs of patients.
C.Communicates vital sign information with the admitting/triage nurse.
D.May provide basic first aid under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
E.Assist the patient to their assigned room and help with undressing and gowning.
F.May utilize/assist with the application and removal of non-invasive monitoring equipment.
1Cardiac Monitor
2Pulse Oximeter
3Non-invasive blood pressure monitor
4Nasal 02
G.Perform veni-puncture, heel stick and finger stick as ordered, according to hospital protocol.
H. Perform G-glucose when ordered, using appropriate technique and equipment.
I.Assist with the collection of specimens and transport in accordance with the universal precaution policy.
J.Set up patients for examinations and procedures.
K.Performs vital signs.
L.Assist with wound cleaning.
M.Assist with the setup and preservation of sterile fields for patient procedures.
N.Assist with aseptic and sterile dressing application.
O.Assist nurse/physician with the application of orthopedic splints/casting.
P.May obtain catheterized urine specimen after demonstrating competency according to established standards and procedure.
Q.Performs 12-lead EKG as ordered, according to hospital protocol
R.Assists with CPR under the direction of a licensed nurse/physician in critical situations.
S.Transports patients by stretcher or wheelchair to other areas of the hospital.
T.Participates in monitoring of department indicators that reflect PCT performance.
U.Identifies departmental tech issues and communicates them to the appropriate person.
V.Cleans lists and send sterile instruments to decontamination for processing.
W.Performs daily instrument counts and communicates shortages to Charge Nurse.
X.Assist nurses with recording patient charge items and investigating billing questions
Y.Order Entry
III. Follows North Oaks Health System’s Compliance Programs and all Federal and State regulatory guidelines.
IV. Is able to demonstrate competency in age specific criteria as applicable to job scope.