Patient Care Technician I - Medical/Renal

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Responsible for serving on the patient care team for an assigned area including direct patient care as an unlicensed professional and under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). Incorporates the primary job functions of a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and other duties related to the care of patients, dependent upon the work area and/or patient populations to which they are assigned. Reports to Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse, Administrative Manager or Staff RN. Employees holding nursing licensure will be held accountable to Nebraska nursing licensure requirements, and must maintain licensure or an active Nebraska CNA.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.
• *Recognizes and reacts to emergency procedures per role and policies/procedures.
• *Answers telephones and assigned communication devices as appropriate and relays information as necessary. Refers all physician telephone orders to a licensed professional.
• Assists in collecting specific information from patients and contributes to admission, transfer and dismissal processes when delegated by a RN, and with responsibility for patient assessment being performed by a RN; assures timely reporting and recording of patient's Electronic Medical Record (EMR) .
• *Assists with patient care that is consistent with standards of care and clinical priorities determined by the RN with the nature of the area/unit, patient care division policies and procedures, demonstrated competencies, and with consideration given to risk management and infection control practices.
• *Performs and documents routine direct nursing care tasks according to identified age-specific needs.
• Obtains and records vitals, height, weight, and bedside glucose results; reports results to appropriate personnel.
• *Performs Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) for assigned patients and documents in the EMR.
• *Responsible for labeling and securing patient care belongings and ensuring that the patient room is safe and uncluttered.
• *Distributes patient’s meals/water and assists with feeding of patients as needed.
• Assists with ambulation, lifting and positioning according to procedure, including the appropriate use of patient lift devices and use of good body mechanics.
• Assists with transporting patients, including at time of transfer and/or dismissal.
• *Assists patients with elimination needs and measures/records bodily elimination in medical record.
• Bathes patients as directed by the RN.
• Participates as a member of the team in Hourly Patient Rounds to proactively address patient needs.
• Provides close observation or one-to-one care, as directed by the RN, to prevent patients from wandering or potential injury.
• Collects, accurately labels and transports specimens to lab as required.
• Assists with dressing changes, applying splints, setting up suturing and procedures, and wound care on closed wounds as directed by RN.
• *Cleans, stocks and cares for supplies and equipment in assigned work area.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*”. Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Maintains clinical competency as required for the unit of assignment including but not limited to population-specific competencies and participates in annual skill competency verification.
• Knowledge of general hospital processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of computer equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment related to changing patient needs, including work with patients with acute, chronic and complex disease processes, and those who are dying.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with health care team members and diverse populations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient information.
• Ability to practice proper body mechanics to ensure personal and customer/patient safety.
• Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Active Nebraska Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential required. Six (6) months CNA experience preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required. Bryan Health recognizes American Heart Association (for healthcare professionals), American Red Cross (for healthcare professionals) and the Military Training Network.

If assigned to the Emergency Department, may have an EMT certification in place of CNA.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) – Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.