Patient Care Tech

MedStar Health; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 26,932 - 47,182; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health in Baltimore, Maryland is seeking a Patient Care Technician to provide direct patient care and assist with various medical procedures. This role involves supporting personal hygiene, specimen collection, and vital sign monitoring, ensuring patient comfort and safety.

Candidates should have a High School Diploma or GED and complete a Patient Care Technician training program. The position offers a competitive pay range of USD $19.55 - USD $34.25 per hour.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Completion of an approved Patient Care Technician training program required.
• CNA certification required upon hire.
• CPR certification required within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal hygiene.
• Collect specimens and perform phlebotomy.
• Accurately document patient vital signs and health data.
• Prepare patients for examinations and assist providers.

Skills

Basic math knowledge

Verbal communication skills

Written communication skills

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Completion of approved Patient Care Technician training program

Tools

Phlebotomy equipment

Basic medical tools

Job description

About the Job

Functions as a member of the patient-centered care team to provide direct patient care activities under the supervision of a Registered Nurse for assigned patients and their families/significant others. Assists medical and nursing staff with procedures and/or tests and patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Performs specific care activities such as specimen collection, phlebotomy, intravenous (IV) catheter insertion, electrocardiography (EKG), and documentation in the health record. Incumbents in this position may perform all or a combination of the duties described depending upon the assigned work area and the specific needs of the patients and the department.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality and safety standards, and SPIRIT Values. Complies with governmental regulations and accreditation standards.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal hygiene including bathing, mouth care, dressing, skin care, positioning, feeding, ambulation, toileting, and range of motion activities. Assists with patient mobilization and rehabilitation, use of crutches and walkers, and transfer/transport of patients in wheelchairs and stretchers.
• Collects specimens (e.g., blood, urine, sputum, stool); performs venipuncture/phlebotomy; obtains EKGs; applies external telemetry monitoring boxes/devices; and inserts intravenous (IV) catheters, changes of IV sites and dressings, and routine inspection of IV sites.
• Assists in the measurement and documentation of patient's intake and output (I&O). Accurately takes and records patient's vital signs, height and weight, pulse oximetry, point-of-care and waived testing (e.g., finger sticks for glucose monitoring/Accucheck urine dipstick hemoccult) and other pertinent data or information in the patient's health record.
• Performs routine sterile/non-sterile (e.g., application of thermal soaks) and other treatments/activities identified by Unit/Hospital policy inclusive of but not limited to: tube feedings; ostomy care; Foley catheter care and removal; perineal care; simple dressing changes and wound care; turning and positioning; postmortem care and transportation of body to the morgue; maintenance of drainage tubes with/without pump or suction; care of oxygen equipment; and assistance with the application, maintenance and removal of traction casts, splints and exercise equipment.
• Maintains the comfort, privacy, confidentiality and dignity of each patient in the delivery of services. Performs patient observation duty including 1:1 observation and application of restraints. Prepares patients to be seen by providers. Assists providers and registered nurses in patient examinations and procedures.
• Rounds on all assigned patients based on established standards (e.g., purposeful hourly rounding). Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients/families including changes in the patient's condition to the registered nurse and other care team members as necessary. Ensures complete hand-off to oncoming shift and obtains full hand-off from outgoing shift. Initiates and assists in CPR when indicated.
• Participates in patient/family teaching as directed and responds to questions from patients, families and visitors in a prompt, courteous and respectful manner referring them to appropriate personnel if necessary.
• Maintains the cleanliness and safety of patient rooms/environment by distributing and changing linen/towels, removing used meal trays, checking bed siderails and safety restraints, etc. Assists with environmental services support such as linen management, trash removal and cleaning patient rooms as needed.
• Transports and/or escorts patients during discharges, transfers and/or medical appointments. Completes errands such as delivering specimens to the laboratory, equipment and supplies, etc. as required.
• Receives and stocks equipment and supplies and maintains orderly supply and utility rooms.
• Attends staff meetings, ongoing educational offerings and participate in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

Minimal Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Completion of an approved Patient Care Technician training program required.

Experience

• Less than 1 year experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant or a Patient Care Tech required.
• Experience as a care technician; general health care experience in an acute care, long‑term care or other settings; student nurse in junior or senior year preferred.
• One year of relevant professional-level work experience may be substituted for one year of required education.

Licenses and Certifications

• CNA – Certified Nursing Assistant from the relevant jurisdiction – upon hire required.
• CPT – Phlebotomy Technician Certification – upon hire preferred.
• CPR – Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 days required.
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic math knowledge.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

Hiring Range

USD $19.55 - USD $34.25 /Hr.