Patient Care Tech
Under the general direction of the DON and Charge Nurse, the Patient Care Tech (PCT) will promote palliative care and comfort for hospital inpatients, swing-bed patients, and hospice care patients, in accordance with Joint Commission, federal, state, and local guidelines, organizational and departmental policies and procedures. PCT gives routine, non-licensed, technical bedside care as requested by licensed staff member as a member of the Nursing Team.
Standards of Performance :
- Provides basic age-appropriate patient care under the supervision of an RN / LPN.
- Basic hygiene is provided by offering complete or partial bath as needed (i.e. mouth care, hair care, shaving and catheter care) as assistant to the RN / LPN.
- Vital signs are accurate and documented correctly according to unit specific policies and guidelines and gathered when requested by the RN.
- Provides a secondary visualization of patients for pressure areas and promptly reports to RN / LPN.
- I & O's and weights are accurate and documented according to unit guidelines when requested by the RN.
- Patient arm bands are checked upon admission, each shift and as needed.
- Emptying and recording output from foley catheters and / or colostomies.
- Laboratory policy / procedures are followed.
- Two patient identifiers are verified prior to specimen collection.
- Verify ID band with the specimen label.
- Other specimens : sputum, stools, urine, etc. are promptly delivered or sent to the laboratory as appropriate.
- Patient armbands are scanned for bedside glucose testing.
- Collaborates with nursing and respiratory to provide appropriate respiratory care.
- Encourages turning, coughing and deep breathing for appropriate patients.
- Removes and reapplies oxygen when instructed by RN / LPN.
- Demonstrates patient safety awareness.
- Ensures identification band is on each patient at beginning of shift.
- Communicates fall risk and activates exit alarm as indicated.
- Uses proper body mechanics.
- Turns and positions patients every 2 hours as assistant with RN / LPN.
- Performs tasks or clinical skills as delegated.
- Maintains awareness of patient's nutritional status and assists with meals as needed.
- Performs urinary catheter care every shift and as needed.
- Maintains infection control measures per policy.
- Assists patients with readiness for discharge ensuring that all patient belongings are gathered. Upon D / C, prepares room for environmental services.
- Ensures patient rooms are kept tidy and organized.
- Restock supplies as directed by RN / LPN, to include linen, lab supplies, IV supplies.
- Maintains customer service as a priority.
- Customers and co-workers are treated in a courteous manner.
- New patients are promptly welcomed with patient care items and oriented to unit.
- Call lights are answered promptly with message communicated to the appropriate person.
- Listens to shift report.
- Discusses patients plan for the day at the beginning of shift.
- Demonstrates interpersonal behaviors congruent with the basic principles of working well with others.
- Focus on the situation, issue or behavior, not on the person.
- Maintains self-confidence and self-esteem of others.
- Maintain constructive relationships with co-workers, peers, managers and others maintaining a customer focus.
- Take initiative to make things better.
- Lead by example.
- Apologies are offered for unexpected delays.
- Demonstrates team function.
- Accountability and reliability are demonstrated by reporting to work as scheduled.
- Compliance is demonstrated with adherence to the attendance policy.
- Punctuality is observed as a priority; reports to the unit on time (6 : 45 a.m.; 6 : 45pm)
Requirements : Job Qualifications :
Minimum Level of Education : High School or equivalent; or Patient Care Tech Certification or completion of (1) semester in a clinical nursing program.
Professional Requirements : Graduate of a PCT, Nursing Assistant, EMT, CMA, MOA, or U.S. Military Medic Program or Enrolled in a school of Nursing and has completed one (1) full semester of clinical rotations. Patient Care Tech certification preferred.
Formal Training : Additional training regarding glucose testing. (in-house training provided)
Licensure, Certification, Registration : PCT, CMA, MOA, EMT, or Nursing Assistant Certificate; also, BLS / CPR.
Work Experience : Preferred 6 months experience in a hospital / outpatient care setting.
Tools and Equipment Used : Calculator, personal computer, telephone, facsimile machine, paper shredder, copier, printer, standard office equipment, dynamap, telemetry.