Patient Care Tech -FT (Medical/Surgical & ED)

Assists with general patient care, data collection, documentation, application of monitoring devices, communicates patient data to nurse, stocks necessary equipment, and supplies inpatient rooms. The employee will demonstrate knowledge in the current concepts of his/her field and is responsible for providing quality service to patients and families.

Job Results & Essential Function

Professional Proficiency Demonstrated

• Responsible for understanding and adherence to the Standards/Code of Conduct, and the Corporate Compliance Plan (CCP) at St. James Hospital.
• Ensures that all educational requirements related to Corporate Compliance are implemented and adhered to as required by the CCP Education Plan.

Delivery of High-Quality Clinical Outcomes

• Assists patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including:
• assisting patients in maintaining personal hygiene
• toileting patients
• passing trays/nourishment
• Consistently follows established Preventative Skin Care Program; including performing preventive measures, turning and repositioning at least every 2 hours, and reporting any sign of skin breakdown to the RN.
• Performs duties as delegated by Registered Nurse within the scope of practice (i.e. Phlebotomy, performing EKGs).
• Takes initiative to ensure that rooms are clean and stocked immediately following patient discharge.
• Obtains and documents patient statistics such as vital signs and intake/output. Notifies RN of any abnormalities.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized, and function under stressful situations.
• Applies evidence-based healthcare practices.
• Complies with policies and procedures.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory and accrediting agency requirements
• Supports a culture of safety and quality patient care. Ensures that patient safety measures are implemented (side rails up, bed in a low position, call light in reach, and fall prevention tools).
• Assists patients with handling and care of clothing and other personal property.
• Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with the primary nurse regarding both in-hospital and post-discharge needs.
• Transports patients to and from various departments as requested.
• Performs Unit Clerk duties as time allows between patients. Patient care is the priority.
• Ensure that each chart is complete and organized prior to sending to Medical Records
• Make copies of chart and imaging studies as requested to facilitate patient care
• Make phone calls, send fax and emails as directed to coordinate safe patient care
• Print the patient census daily and ensure each chart is accounted for and discharged
• Take stock inventory weekly, order needed items, and put stock away when it arrives
• Ensure that all operating printers have paper at the beginning of and throughout each shift

Effective Collaboration that Helps Achieve Organizational Goals

• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Participates in the orientation of new employees.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment by cleaning and stocking the utility/equipment rooms and use proper sterilization and disinfection techniques, report equipment that is out of order.
• Actively participates in unit/service activities, supports co-workers, assesses and communicates unit needs to Clinical Supervisor.
• Communicates effectively with colleagues to optimize patient care, expresses positive customer relations, and contributes to a supportive and cooperative working environment.
• Participates in department and/or system-wide team dynamic initiatives.

Professional requirements

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled.
• Completes annual education requirements in a timely manner.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Attends department in-services, as scheduled.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Supports a culture of safety and quality patient care. Communicates appropriately and clearly to the Nurse Manager, Registered Nurse colleagues, co-workers, and physicians.

Unit specific job descriptions are in addition to this basic Patient Care Technician position

Requirements

Education & Experience

• High School graduate or equivalent preferred.
• CNA certification preferred.
• At least one (1) year prior experience working in an acute care facility preferred.
• Phlebotomy certification and experience preferred.
• Previous experience as a nursing assistant, EMT, or current enrollment in nursing school preferred.

Licenses and/or Certifications

• Current BLS

Physical Demands

Ability to move or transfer patients with an individual effort equal to 50 lbs. Should have a full range of body motion to successfully perform all essential functions of the job, meaning you’ll have to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and reach frequently during a 12-hour shift. Accommodations are made for nurses with disabilities.

Language Ability

Ability to read, write and interpret documents in English such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific/trade/technical journals. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, or regulatory agencies. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees, patients, and vendors.

Math Ability

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, rates, and ratios.

Hazards

• Potential exposures to chemicals and communicable diseases and related medical waste.

This job description is a summary of the job duties and requirements that represent the general nature and level of work being performed. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This description is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management assign, direct and control the work of employees. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All employees are expected to understand and adhere to the Standards/Code of Conduct and the Corporate Compliance Plan as well as ensure all educational requirements related to Corporate Compliance are implemented and adhered to as required by the CCP Education Plan, in addition to compliance with organizational policies and procedures, regulatory expectations, quality and, department standards, etc.