PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Assist professional nursing personnel in providing patient care in assigned areas to patients.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the mission and vision of the organization.
• Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs).
• Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time.
• Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate.

GENERAL SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Basic Computer Skills

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• General environment: Works in a well-lighted, air-conditioned area, with moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.
• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids, or infectious organisms.
• May be required to change from one task to another or different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.
• May be scheduled as needed including overtime.

PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS & DEMANDS:

• Have near normal hearing: Hear alarms/telephone/normal speaking voice.
• Have near normal vision: Clarity of vision (both near and far), ability to distinguish colors.
• Have good manual dexterity.
• Have good eye-hand foot coordination.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks/motion.
• Continuously within shift (67-100%): Standing, Walking.
• Frequently within shift (34-66%): Bending/Stooping, Pushing/Pulling, Lift/carry up to 20lbs, Lift/carry > 20 lbs. with assistance.
• Occasionally within shift (1-33%): Sitting, Climbing, Twist at waist, Lift/Carry > 50 lbs. with assistance, Reaching above shoulder.

MISSION STATEMENT:

QUALITY HEALTHCARE: In our continuing effort to enhance the quality of life for the communities we serve, the Hospital Authority of Miller County is committed to the delivery of superior, safe, cost-effective healthcare through the provisions of education prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

• Consults with and keeps supervisor informed of unit activities, needs and problems related to patient care.
• Complies with established nursing standards.
• Maintains established department, unit, hospital policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control.
• Follows established routines and utilize supplies and equipment in a cost-effective manner.
• Maintains a clean, orderly, safe environment for patients and personnel.
• Cooperates with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee interdepartmental and public relations.
• Maintains patient rights and confidentiality of patient information, and abides by established communications code.
• Fosters teamwork by offering assistance to others.
• Responds to requests in a prompt, friendly manner.
• Avoids excessive unscheduled absence.
• Accrues 12 hours of continuing education per year as policy states.
• Demonstrates a calm, professional manner during a crisis or emergency situation.  Determines specific nursing intervention to resolve patient problems.
• Documents attendance at continuing education programs.
• Reports for scheduled shift on time; prepared to assume duties.
• Reports to work in proper uniform or attire.  Adheres to dress code.
• Varies work schedule of shift (working overtime, leaves early when requested, work shift other than regularly scheduled as required) to meet department staffing needs.
• Attends and participates in meetings and is responsible for all information communicated at meetings.
• Infant / Children
  • Modifies the interview techniques to adequately assess the child patient by identifying the physical, psychosocial, and educational needs common to this age group.
  • Observes parent / child interactions and child’s general appearance, i.e. abuse, neglect.
  • Provides education / explanation in easily understood terms to reduce stress/ fear.
  • Encourages and supports presence of family.
• Adolescent
  • Modifies the interview techniques to adequately assess the adolescent patient by identifying the physical, psychosocial, and educational needs common to this age group.
  • Recognizes patient’s needs to assert independence and reluctance to express dependency needs and anxiety about hospitalization.  Modifies interventions to meet these needs.
  • Provides reassurance and support when there is anxiety regarding potential altered body images.  Provides for privacy.
  • Recognizes need for peer support.
  • Provides teaching specific to educational needs with routine reinforcement because of tendency toward denial and non-compliance.
• Adult
  • Modifies the interview techniques to adequately assess the adult patient by identifying the physical, psychosocial, and educational needs common to this age group.
  • Recognizes potential for increased stress related to dependency needs of others, i.e. children, elderly parents, anxiety regarding lifestyle changes due to illness.
  • Identifies fear related to potential altered body image.
• Geriatric
  • Modifies the interview techniques to adequately assess the geriatric patient by identifying the physical, psychosocial, and educational needs common to this age group.
  • Identifies increased physical / emotional dependency needs and availability of support networks.
  • Recognizes potential for compromised skin integrity and provides preventative measures.
  • Monitors intake of prescribed diet and other nutritional supplements each meal.
  • Notes changes in elimination patterns.
  • Identifies increased sensitivity to climate changes.  Provides heating and cooling as needed.
  • Determines presence of disability affecting mobility and sensory acuity and provides for safety measures.
  • Modifies provision of nursing interventions to reflect the responses unique to the geriatric patient.
• Applies To All Age Groups
  • Greets and orients patient to room.
  • Completes admission vital signs, height, and weight within 15 minutes of admission.  Records weight accurately - reports
  • Re-checks patient’s vital signs every 4 hours or as ordered / instructed by nurse.
  • Records weights accurately and reports changes.
  • Communicates patient care needs or changes to the primary nurse or Charge Nurse throughout the shift and as necessary.
  • Responsible for following privacy concepts and other policies as stated in the HIPPA policy and procedures.
• Patient Documentation
  • Knows patient rights and responsibilities / information management.
  • Reports completely, briefly, and accurately re:  patient status when transferring responsibility of care to another person/shift.
• Utilization Management Program
  • Avoids excessive unscheduled absence.
  • Participates in the hospital’s risk management program by reporting all untoward events or abnormal findings to the Charge Nurse at time of occurrence.
  • Assesses individual patient rooms and unit environment for safe / sanitary conditions.
  • Corrects or reports hazardous or unsafe conditions.
  • Identifies, sequesters, and reports malfunctioning equipment to the appropriate person immediately.
  • Utilizes supplies and equipment with efficiency and charges appropriately.
  • Recognizes signs and symptoms of possible child/adult/elderly abuse and immediately notifies Charge Nurse to alert appropriate agency.
• Patient Care Responsibilities      
  • Ensures each patient’s general hygiene needs are met daily.
  • Notifies nurse of any skin areas with breakdown or redness.
  • Performs hand washing before and after contact with each patient.
  • Immediately disposes of biomedical and hazardous waste in labeled biomedical/ bio hazardous waste container.
  • Obtains patient’s vital signs and ensures notification of the nurse of any abnormal finding or significant changes.
  • Provides post-mortem care.
  • Explains all procedures and treatments to patients and/or significant other at each occurrence.  Verifies with 2 patient identifiers.
  • Observes for / recognizes untoward reactions to prescribed therapies/diagnostic procedures.
  • Reports amount, color, and characteristics of gastric output to the nurse.
  • Performs ostomy care.
  • Performs peri care for patients with catheters every shift and PRN.  Documents performance.
  • Monitors urine output as ordered and records on appropriate form.
  • Collects urine for urinalysis and urine C & S, notifies nurse of inadequate urine output.
• Interpersonal Relations
  • Fosters teamwork by offering assistance to others.  Notifies nurse of any skin areas of with breakdown or redness.
  • Provides positive welcome to all clients and family members.
  • Shows consideration in interaction with patient/family and other health team members by demonstrating therapeutic listening skills and cooperation.  Acknowledges and responds tactfully to all requests.
• General Responsibilities
  • Reports for scheduled shift on time; prepared to assume duties.
  • Reports to work in proper uniform or attire.  Adheres to dress code.
  • Clocks in on arrival and out upon leaving.
  • Follows policy for reporting in sick or absent 100% of the time.
  • Leaves for meal break on time and returns on time.
  • Varies work schedule of shift (working overtime, leaves early when requested, work shift other than regularly scheduled as required) to meet department staffing needs.
  • Works overtime only with appropriate approval when requested by manager or supervisory approval.
  • Schedules all vacation days with supervisory approval.
  • Attends and participates in meetings and is responsible for all information communicated at meetings.
  • Attends all hospital mandatory in-services on a timely basis as scheduled.
  • Follows Universal Precautions and infection control procedures at all times.
• Patient Safety
  • Has knowledge and understanding of Patient Safety Policies and Procedures.
  • Always properly identifies the patient.
  • Ensures all alarms are set and audible during shift.
  • Understands and practices current CDC hand hygiene guidelines to reduce the risk of health care acquired infections.
  • Understands and adheres to Fall Risk protocol.
  • Understands and adheres to PUPP

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Follows Code of Conduct policy.
• Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual educational requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification when on duty; uses computerized time clock system correctly.
• Completes in-services and returns in a timely fashion.
• Attends annual review and/or skills fair and department in-services, as scheduled.
• Attempts to end conversations and other interactions in a positive manner; leaves others with a good impression of the Hospital Authority of Miller County and its employees.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communications the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

GUEST RELATIONS STANDARDS:

(All guest relation violations are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination):

• Always treat others in a friendly, helpful manner.
• Refers co-workers to proper sources when unable to provide an answer.
• Interacts with others in a professional and friendly manner.
• Takes interest in others and always gives full cooperation to fellow workers.
• Always maintains an open line of communication with other departments.
• Thoroughly familiar with the hospital and the services it offers.

OTHER:

• Responsibility to Report: It is the responsibility of every employee of HAMC to comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as, HAMC Policies and Procedures. Every employee is help accountable to participate in, comply with and report concerns to his or her supervisor or the Compliance Officer if illegal or unethical behavior is suspected.
• As an employee of HAMC, you have been granted user access to applicable ePHI systems based on your position. This user or role-based access is intended to give you the minimum necessary access to perform your job function(s) only and should be used only as applicable.

OTHER DUITIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, CREDENTIALS & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High school graduate or equivalent 
• Must maintain AHA or Red Cross affiliated CPR certification.