Technician, Patient Care (Maternal Health)

Overview

The Patient Care Technician is directly responsible to the Assistant Head Nurse/ Charge Nurse of the unit or designee for all patient care activities.  Functions as part of the multidisciplinary team providing direct patient care to patients.

Responsibilities

• Assisting patient with activities of daily living (e.g. bathing, eating, toileting, moving/walking), and diversionary activity (e.g. reading, TV, games).  Set up and/or place diversionary materials in easy reach.
• Assisting with the movement of patients via stretcher, wheelchair, or bed.  Move patients from bed to chair, or stretcher.
• Give partial/complete bed baths or shower baths. Shampoo hair as necessary; brush and comb hair. Assist with skin care.
• Prepare patients for meals before tray arrives. Feed patients/provide snacks, fluids as ordered.
• Give oral hygiene denture care mouth swabs, and mouth washes.
• Provide range of motion activity, lifting, turning, positioning, and ambulation.
• Use special equipment correctly (e.g. cane, walker, pressure-relief devices).
• Assist with activities related to bladder and bowel function.
• Assisting patients to use bedpan, urinal and proper disposal of excreta. Applying external urinary catheter.
• Performing urinary catheter care.
• Apply Pressure Injury devices such as TAP (turning & positioning) device and apply heel boots.
• Making patient care rounding, as assigned.
• Apply sequential compression device sleeves.
• Answer telephone and relay messages promptly.
• Obtain & Record Vital signs (B/P, Resp. rate, Pulse, Temp, & Pulse oximetry), I&O, and other patient care activities in EHR, per policy in daily care flow Sheet.
• Consistently reports to nurse observations/changes in patient’s condition. Provides a handoff when leaving unit for breaks and at end of the shift. Documents changes (i.e.: Vital signs) in EHR.
• Utilize appropriate precautions when providing care to patients in isolation.  Maintain universal precautions in all patient care activities.
• Adheres to observation level defined by RN as assigned. Accepts and documents the responsibility for the level of observation for the patient on the acceptance sheet and on the observation flow sheet.
• Adheres to restraint policy and complies with application of restraint management and patient observation. Documents in EHR non-violent flow sheet.
• Responsible for accepting and identifying patient belongings; will document such in Patient Property sheet in EHR.
• Collect specimens (e.g. urine, sputum, stool, etc.) as assigned.  Label specimen correctly and deliver/forward them to the correct department.
• Perform off-unit messenger duties (e.g. deliver patient belongings, pick up equipment, lab, etc.
• Functions as a member of the nursing care team, participating in the implementation of the patient’s plan of care.
• Participate in maintenance of a clean and safe patient environment.
• Clean/ organize procedure carts, utility and treatment rooms, linen and supply closets, as assigned.
• Promotes improved customer relations with patients and their families and makes recommendations for improved patient care.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings.
• Performs POCT. Performs 12 lead EKG
• Maintains the culture of safety by properly identifying patients using two identifiers, accurate and timely documentation
• Performs phlebotomy to obtain necessary blood specimens, POCT as ordered. Documents in the electronic medical record or paper during downtime.
• Complies with all departmental and organization wide policies and Procedures
• Complies with the Patient Bill of Rights
• Participates in PI data collection activities as directed.
• Perform post-mortem care and properly identify the patient for transport to the morgue.
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting.

Qualifications

Education:

• High School Graduate or GED required.

Experience:

• No work experience required, previous experience preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Math and computer skills.
• Works as a team player. Demonstrates respect and professionalism in all interactions.
• Excellent oral and communication skills.
• Decision making and problem solving.
• Able to see, hear, read and write English.
• Ability to fully utilize BHMC’s electronic record systems, equipment and other healthcare and billing systems relevant to this position as required.

Licenses, Certifications:

• Certificate from approved Patient Care Technician (PCT) program required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
• WHO 20 hour Breastfeeding Course or equivalent training (Women and Children Division, education done on orientation for external candidates) required.

Physical Requirements:

• Physically demanding, high-stress environment.
• Occasional exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions.
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients.
• Manual and finger dexterity.
• Hand and eye coordination.
• Sitting, standing, and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range.
• Frequently sitting at desk working on computer.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center.

BHMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.