Full-Time Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician - Thoracic Surgery Stepdown

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Shadyside is seeking Nursing Assistants/Patient Care Technicians for full-time day/evening/night/weekend shifts on the 3 Main Surgical Cardiothoracic Stepdown unit. The unit features 38 beds for thoracic and cardiac postoperative care, with high-acuity patients and leading-edge interventional care.

Responsibilities include ADLs, vital signs, EKGs and direct patient care under RN supervision. Training is provided through the Nursing Support ladder, with starting pay of $19.40 per hour and

Qualifications

• Successful completion of UPMC nursing assistant or EIC training program.
• Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required for Nursing Assistant; additional healthcare experience preferred for advanced roles.

Responsibilities

• Perform nursing core responsibilities for nursing assistants (ADLs, vital signs, etc.).
• Provide direct patient care as directed by RN.
• Maintain a safe patient environment.
• Document in medical records and comply with safety policies.
• Contribute to universal unit activities and respond to call lights.

Skills

Body mechanics

Communication

CNA preferred

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree in a health sciences field

Job description

• Nursing Assistants/Patient Care Technicians: Full-Time at 36 hours a week working day/evening/night/weekend shifts
• Unit: 3 Main Surgical Cardiothoracic Stepdown
• About UPMC Shadyside: A Magnet-designated teaching hospital with ongoing research and education

Join UPMC Shadyside’s Surgical Team!

• Nursing Assistants/Patient Care Technicians: Full-Time at 36 hours a week working day/evening/night/weekend shifts
• Unit: 3 Main Surgical Cardiothoracic Stepdown
• About UPMC Shadyside: A Magnet-designated teaching hospital with ongoing research and education

About 3 Main Surgical Cardiothoric Stepdown Unit:

• 38-Bed Post-Op Care: We specialize in thoracic surgery recovery and act as Shadyside’s surgical stepdown unit.
• High-Acuity Patients: From minimally invasive esophagectomy to lobe resections, we provide top-notch care.
• Cardiac Expertise: We handle interventional cardiac cases from cath and electrophysiology labs.

About the Role:

Nursing Assistants Patient Care Technicians provide routine patient care and support the department services in accordance with established policies and procedures. This role will be directed by nurses and/or physicians to ensure that the highest degree of quality patient care can be maintained at all times. Patient care duties may include, but are not limited to, ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning patients, and blood glucose), vital signs, simple dressings, EKGs, bladder scans, and all specimen collections.

UPMC's Nursing Support Career Ladder:

Our goal at UPMC is to help you build YOUR career, starting with our robust career ladder! A Nursing Support career at UPMC Shadyside maximizes your potential and advances you to wherever you’d like to go, ensuring that you are equipped with resources, mentors, and leadership along the way.

The UPMC Inpatient Patient Care Support Career Ladder offers opportunities for continued growth and advancement. Title and salary will be determined based upon education and patient care experience. The starting pay for a Nursing Assistant is $19.40.

Nursing Support Training:

Patient Care Support training is required for all Nursing Assistants and Patient Care Technicians. Your skills will be assessed on day 1 to determine how much training will be needed on an individual basis, but plan for three full days of training (Monday - Wednesday).

Responsibilities:

• Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
• Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department.
• Establish effective communication strategies and respectful relationships.
• Contribute to universal unit activities (e.g., responding to call lights, passing meal trays, transporting patients)
• Receive feedback constructively and identify learning needs.
• Improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
• Communicate effectively with the healthcare team.
• Demonstrate cultural understanding and safety awareness.
• Perform nursing core responsibilities for nursing assistants (ADLs, point-of-care testing, vital signs, etc.).
• Provide direct patient care as directed by RN.
• Maintain a safe patient environment.
• Distribute supplies and equipment.
• Document in medical records and comply with safety policies.

• Successful completion of UPMC nursing assistant or EIC training program or Successful completion of UPMC patient care technician class.
• Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred.
• Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse.
• Nursing Assistant:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
• Patient Care Technician:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • 1 year of healthcare experience, OR completion of at least one clinical rotation as part of a nursing or PT/OT/PA program or related health care training, OR completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in a health sciences field.
• Patient Care Technician - Senior:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • 2 years of healthcare experience, OR 1 year of experience plus completion of at least one clinical rotation as part of a nursing or PT/OT/PA program or related health care training, OR 1 year of experience and completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in a health sciences field.
  • Annual completion of a professional contribution to be determined after hire.
  • Successful completion of Senior training class.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Act 34

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran