Patient Care Technician

General Summary of Position
Functions as a member of the patient-centered care team to provide direct patient care activities under the supervision of a Registered Nurse for assigned patients and their families/significant others. Assists medical and nursing staff with procedures and/or tests and patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Performs specific care activities such as specimen collection phlebotomy intravenous (IV) catheter insertion electrocardiography (EKG) and documentation in the health record. Incumbents in this position may perform all or a combination of the duties described depending upon the assigned work area and the specific needs of the patients and the department.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies procedures quality and safety standards and SPIRIT Values. Complies with governmental regulations and accreditation standards.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal hygiene including bathing mouth care dressing skin care positioning feeding ambulation toileting and range of motion activities. Assists with patient mobilization and rehabilitation use of crutches and walkers and transfer/transport of patients in wheelchairs and stretchers.
• Collects specimens (e.g. blood urine sputum stool); performs venipuncture/phlebotomy; obtains EKGs; applies external telemetry monitoring boxes/devices; and inserts intravenous (IV) catheters changes of IV sites and dressings and routine inspection of IV sites.
• Assists in the measurement and documentation of patient's intake and output (I&O). Accurately takes and records patient's vital signs height and weight pulse oximetry point of care and waived testing (i.e. finger sticks for glucose monitoring/Accucheck urine dipstick hemoccult) and other pertinent data or information in the patient's health record.
• Performs routine sterile non-sterile (e.g. application of thermal soaks) and other treatments/activities identified by Unit/Hospital policy inclusive of but not limited to: tube feedings; ostomy care; Foley Catheter care and removal; perineal care; simple dressing changes and wound care; turning and positioning; postmortem care and transportation of body to the morgue; maintenance of drainage tubes with/without pump or suction; care of oxygen equipment; and assistance with the application maintenance and removal of traction casts splints and exercise equipment.
• Maintains the comfort privacy and confidentiality and dignity of each patient in the delivery of services. Performs patient observation duty including 1:1 observation and application of restraints. Prepares patients to be seen by providers. Assists providers and registered nurses in patient examinations and procedures.
• Rounds on all assigned patients based on established standards (e.g. purposeful hourly rounding). Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients/families including changes in the patient's condition to the registered nurse and other care team members as necessary. Ensures complete hand off to oncoming shift and obtains full hand off from outgoing shift. Initiates and assists in CPR when indicated.
• Participates in patient/family teaching as directed and responds to questions from patient's families and visitors in a prompt courteous and respectful manner referring them to appropriate personnel if necessary.
• Maintains the cleanliness and safety of patient rooms/environment by distributing and changing linen/towels removing used meal trays checking bed siderails and safety restraints etc. Assists with environmental services support such as linen management trash removal and cleaning patient rooms as needed.
• Transports and/or escorts patients during discharges transfers and/or medical appointments. Completes errands such as delivering specimens to the laboratory equipment and supplies etc. as required.
• Receives and stocks equipment and supplies and maintains orderly supply and utility rooms.
• Attends staff meetings ongoing educational offerings and participate in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

Minimal Qualifications
Education

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent required
• Completion of an approved nursing assistant certification program required

Experience

• Less than 1 year experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Patient Care Tech required
• Experience as a care technician; general health care experience in an acute care long-term care or other settings; student nurse in junior or senior year preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant from the relevant jurisdiction required
• CPT - Phlebotomy Technician Certification preferred
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Basic math knowledge
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Basic computer skills preferred