Patient Care Technician (PCT)-Acute Care

Min

Max

Overview

As a Patient Care Technician, working under supervision of the Registered Nurse, performs a variety of tasks and services to assist in the provision of care and comfort for patients; provides care appropriate to the age of the patients served; reports and records observations; contributes to the efficient functioning of the unit; all duties are performed in accordance with established policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.

Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• One of the following required: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)(required for TCU),  or Enrollment in a RN nursing school with one (1) semester of clinicals completed, or minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience performing the essential responsibilities of the nursing assistant role.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Certified in CPR or completes certification during Nursing Team Onboarding

Responsibilities

• Provides hygiene and comfort measures, assuring privacy and preventing undue exposure.
• Provides or assists patient with bathing, oral hygiene, hair care, nail care, shaving, etc.
• Assures that linens are dry, wrinkle free and that patient is comfortable.
• Provides handwashing opportunity before and after meals, toileting, etc.

• Activity:
• Assists with patient’s activities including ambulation, chair, dangling and repositioning; uses proper body mechanics, positioning techniques, and assistive devices.

• Nutrition:
• Serves and collects food trays and nourishments.
• Records percentage of diet intake.
• Feeds or assists patients as necessary.
• Records intake. Reports deviations from normal.
• Clears IV and Tube Feeding Pumps at end of each shift and documents appropriately.

• Elimination:
• Provides bed pan/urinal.
• Performs perineal care.
• Performs bladder catheter care and discontinues bladder catheter as directed.
• Performs ostomy care (ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy) including application of appropriate appliances.
• Records output. Reports deviations from normal.
• Performs Bladder Scanning.

• Other related needs:
• Assists with post-mortem care.
• Assists with admission, transfer and discharge of patients.
• Promptly responds to patient call light or requests (usually in less than ten minutes).

• Obtains vital signs (B/P and TPR).
• Obtains weight in kg (standing, chair or bed scale) and reports deviation from previous weight.
• Empties drainage collection devices.
• Performs blood glucose monitoring.
• Observes and reports unusual conditions and/or change in patient behavior or appearance.

• Application of heat (i.e., K-pad).
• Application of cold (i.e., ice bags, sponge baths).
• Therapeutic baths (i.e., Sitz, Aveeno).
• Obtains routine non-sterile specimens.
• Assist with patient preparation for surgical, therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures.
• Applies nonsterile dressing as directed.
• Discontinues peripheral IV as directed.
• Performs oral pharyngeal suctioning.
• Preps skin and applies telemetry patches.
• Records all interventions; observes and reports the patient response, changes, and/or deviations from normal parameters. 

• Conducts purposeful hourly rounding as a team member.
• Follows standard precautions. Always washes hands between patients.
• Reports equipment malfunctions.
• Assists in keeping patient rooms/corridors free of clutter. Cleans fluid spills.
• Uses proper body mechanics in moving, transferring and transporting patients.
• Positions side rails appropriate to the patient’s condition.
• Applies and maintains restraining devices as directed.
• Interacts with patients/visitors/others in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Fully explains procedures to patients/families prior to performing.
• Assures patient privacy/rights/confidentiality.
• Recognizes and reports patient concerns; offers constructive solutions.

• Completes assigned aspects of unit inventory management.
• Complies with established policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.
• Uses designated lines of communication and authority.
• Supports efforts to reduce costs.
• Consistently utilizes time and resources effectively and efficiently.
• Maintains cleanliness of unit, service area and equipment.
• Cooperates with all members of the healthcare team.
• Enthusiastically supports and participates in planned changes.
• Accepts responsibility for accurate and timely completion of tasks as assigned.
• Adheres to MHS Behavioral Standards.