Patient Care Tech - Acute Care Surgery - Rotating

Virginia Commonwealth University Health; United States; On-site; USD 24,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician to provide direct, age-appropriate care under the supervision of registered nurses on a busy inpatient unit. The role emphasizes accurate data collection (vital signs, intake/output) and adherence to care plans to support patient safety and comfort.

The position requires a high school diploma (or equivalent) and CNA licensure; BLS certification is required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Certified Nursing Assistant licensure/certification preferred.
• AHA BLS HCP certification or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, age-specific care under the RN or licensed practitioner.
• Monitor patients' conditions and report updates to the health care team.
• Maintain a safe, clean, stocked environment to support patient needs and unit functioning.
• Record initial and ongoing patient information (admissions data, vitals, height/weight, etc.).
• Attend mandatory trainings and adhere to infection control policies.

Skills

Patient data collection

Vital signs

Infection control

Communication

Safety protocols

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Certified Nursing Assistant Licensure/Certification

AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent

Job description

Acute Care Surgical Services is a nationally recognized AACN Sliver Beacon 28 bed inpatient unit and Center of Bariatric Excellence providing care for Surgical Oncology, Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery, Bariatric Surgery, Colo-Rectal Surgery and Urology patients. This diverse unit includes general and progressive level of care beds and provides the highest quality care for a broad spectrum of surgical diseases including the most critically ill and injured patients. VCU Medical Center is the only Level I Trauma Center in the region verified by the State of Virginia and the American College of Surgeons for Adult, Pediatric, and Burn trauma. We believe in teamwork and value every team member’s personal and professional growth through clinical ladder advancements, certification and education.

The Patient Care Technician

Provides direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and the plan of care under the direction of the RN or licensed independent practitioner. Provide safe and direct care to patients in their assigned unit making age-appropriate adjustments as needed. Monitor patients’ conditions and provide updates to the health care team. Provide direct and indirect care to patients with and without medical/surgical complications to meet their comfort, personal hygiene and safety needs. Provide care in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and deliver per VCUHS Nursing and Hospital policy and procedure. Ensure assigned clinical location is maintained as a safe, clean, stocked environment to facilitate meeting patient needs and unit/healthcare team functioning. Maintain supplies, educational material, equipment, sterilization of supplies, instruments and the environment to promote quality, safe patient care outcomes (as applicable). Contribute to the patient experience by accurately identifying the patient, by observing safety goals and reporting to a licensed independent practitioner, manager and/or Registered Nurses regarding the patient’s physical and mental responses to the plan of care or any incident posing harm or threat to a patient. Obtain and record initial and ongoing patient information throughout the cycle of care, including admissions data, vital signs, height and weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake and output, calorie counts, and other patient information as outlined by VCUHS policy. Obtain or assist in the collection of specimens for diagnostic or waived tests. Attend all mandatory in-services and trainings and adhere to online training requirements. Ensure patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives. Establish and maintain courteous and effective rapport with patients, visitors, co-workers, and other members of health care team; demonstrate sensitivity and awareness to needs of patients, visitors and co-workers and respond promptly to verbal and/or written instructions. Performs other duties, as assigned.

Patient Population

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit. Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Employment Qualifications

Required Education: High School Degree or equivalent
Preferred Education: Certified Nursing Assistant Licensure/Certification
Required: AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent
Preferred: N/A
Minimum Qualifications: Required Qualifications: Certification/Completion of one of the following: Certified Nursing Assistant Medical Assistant Emergency Medical Technician Military Corpsmen/Medic Nursing Aide Training Program Experience within a healthcare environment OR Completion of foundations/ clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Knowledge of patient data collection and documentation (i.e. vital signs, intake/output, change in patient condition)
Knowledge of basic hygiene and activities of daily living care
Ability to assist with feeding, hydration, and nutrition
Ability to assist with ambulation and patient mobility
Ability to provide safe, compassionate care
Accountability for completion of assigned tasks
Ability to wear personal protective equipment as needed

Cultural Responsiveness

Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred

Acute care experience as a nursing assistant or aide experience

Working Conditions

• May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse.
• May be required to use physical restraints.
• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.
• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.
• May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.
• May have periods of constant interruptions.
• Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-100 lbs.), Push/Pull (0-100 lbs.), Climb, Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Balance, Bend

Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing

Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards: Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination); Perform shift work; Maneuver weight of patients; Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder; Reach above shoulder; Repetitive arm/hand movements; Finger Dexterity Hazards: Depth perception; Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents; Exposure to moving mechanical parts; Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy; Exposure to high pitched noises

Mental/Sensory - Emotional

Mental/Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional: Fast pace environment, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent change

Compensation Range

$17.25 - $24.12 Actual salary offers will be based on several key factors to include relevant work experience, credentials, and qualifications.

Who We Are

Inventing better care, day by day by discovery Sound outrageous? It absolutely is. Sound impossible? That’s never stopped us before. Sound like hard work, intense research, collaboration with experts around the world, sheer brainpower meets unrelenting willpower? That’s. Exactly. Right. We’ll do whatever it takes to offer the best in care and empower the best in quality of life. And it’s an approach that works — whether it’s a patient who undergoes a new, life‑saving procedure or a clinical researcher who finds promise in a new cancer treatment, exciting new medicine is happening at VCU Health.

• One college and four health sciences schools
• An academic medical center
• A Level I trauma center
• One of only two NCI-designated cancer centers in Virginia
• The region’s only full-service children’s hospital
• More than 800 physicians in 200 specialties
• With a community health center, dedicated research teams, facilities and valued partners in every field

Read VCU Health Year In Review for more about our accomplishments.