Patient Care Tech, Senior Behavioral Care - PRN

The following information is designed to outline the functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, nor address the performance standards that must be maintained.

Essential functions may change based on organizational need.

General Position Summary :

Responsible for basic patient care, patient safety, emotional support to patients and families, maintenance of a safe environment, stocking of unit supplies, communication with staff and patients, and accurate documentation.

Also responsible for advanced non-licensed patient care skills.

Responsible for telemetry monitoring within the central monitoring station, of all patients requiring telemetry monitoring, confirm the initiation and discontinuation of monitoring with the nurse upon admission / discharge / transfer, perform ongoing monitoring of those on cardiac monitors, communicate significant changes of patients’ cardiac parameters to the nurse caring for affected patient.

• Technician is also required to cross-cover as a patient care technician (PCT), health unit coordinator (HUC), and / sitter when needed.
• Assignments are made through the ASC office and may require the monitor tech to move to different areas throughout the shift, depending on need and acuity.
• Provides continuous cardiac monitoring of telemetry patients during scheduled shift.
• Initiates monitoring upon admission; set up box with appropriate placement, confirmation, and documentation of initial rhythm
• Alarm / Arrhythmia notifications set specific to each patient
• Documents cardiac rhythms, measurements, and all other pertinent information; every four hours and places them into appropriate patient chart
• Notifies and reviews any change in cardiac parameters with nurse caring for patient
• Discontinues monitoring upon transfer or discharge; suspend monitoring or complete discontinuation (collect, clean, and return box back to monitoring room)

Essential Functions / Major Responsibilities :

• Provides basic patient care, including vital signs, hygiene (bathing and oral care), positioning, toileting, linen changes, ambulation, range of motion, nutritional and hydration support, collecting lab specimens, placement of telemetry leads, and set-up traction.
• Ensures maintenance of safe patient environment : clutter-free, bed alarms, armband checks, ID band, fall risk, and allergy bands.
• Ensures compliance with HIPAA policies and procedures.
• Stocks suppliers per departmental needs.
• Assists the Health Unit Coordinator with duties as needed.
• Maintains departmental paperwork.
• Assists the nurse in admitting and discharging patients from the unit.
• Educates patients and families regarding room orientation, patient activities, and hospital policies.
• Documents accurately, including vital signs, intake and output, safety checks, and patient activities.
• Communicates pertinent information to the registered nurse.
• Participates in educational offerings, including in-services, competency activities, etc.
• Participates in departmental / association wide informational meetings, including staff meetings, association wide forums, and seminars.
• Displays proper etiquette and mannerisms that reflect the SHINE Behavior Standards.
• Promotes the Patient Safety Standards as a core value of the organization.
• Responsible to perform HUC duties as needed by department.
• Responsible to perform Direct Observer and Sitter duties as needed.

Secondary Functions :

Functions as a Health Unit Coordinator as required by department :

oResponsible for operations of the nurses’ station involving multiple simultaneous tasks to ensure the smooth and safe flow of information.

o Serves as the unit receptionist, switchboard operator, and general go-to person for nurses, patient care technicians, physicians, ancillary staff, outside agencies, and visitors.

• Participates in departmental and association wide informational meetings and in services, including staff meetings, association wide forums, and seminars.
• Reviews department and association wide policies and procedures annually.
• All other duties as assigned.

Job Scope : This job involves :

This job involves :

• Regular and recurring work situations.
• A low to high level of complexity.
• Operation from specific and definite directions and procedures.
• Performance of duties under moderately high supervision.

Supervisory Responsibility :

None.

Interpersonal Contacts :

Contacts :

• Are normally made within the hospital.
• Are usually made with own department, staff, and supervisor.
• Contain some discussion about confidential / sensitive matters.
• Are face-to-face with little telephone contact.
• Are usually with patients, with some physician contact.

Specific Job Skills & Mental Activities :

This position requires the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience to perform in a diversified acute care setting.

This position requires knowledge of hospital equipment and programs, including all Hospital Information Systems and department specific equipment.

This position requires basic computer, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Education and / or Experience :

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• CPR Certification
• Non Violent Crisis Intervention (preferred)
• Direct Observer Training (preferred)
• CAN (preferred)
• 1 Year of previous in clinical setting (preferred)
• EMTB-B for Monitor Tech (preferred)
• ACLS for Monitor Tech (preferred)

Physical Demands & Job Conditions :

Exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and / or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and / or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.

The worker is subject to contact with chemicals, contact with infectious fluids, heavy lifting, constant standing, and encounters with upset / disturbed individuals.

Physical motions include finger dexterity, standing, walking, stooping, crawling, talking, reaching, feeling, sitting, bending, kneeling, climbing, grasping, listening / hearing, handling, lifting up to 50-100 pounds, and repetitive motions of the hands, wrists, and feet.

This is considered a safety-sensitive position.

OSHA Exposure Category :

Involves exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.