Patient Care Tech I - Inpatient, Float Pool, 32 Hours, Days

UMass Memorial Health; Worcester (MA); On-site; Full time

Job description

Patient Care Technician I

Under the direction of the appropriate licensed clinician, the Patient Care Technician I performs a variety of patient care activities. Receives workplace education and training to assist members of the healthcare team in the care of patients.

Major Responsibilities

• Provides clear, timely communication to the RN regarding observations and changes seen in patients, such as changes in skin condition, vital signs, and/or mental status.
• Provides constant observation of high‑risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of a safe environment, de‑escalating patients and, if necessary, participating in restraints in accordance with training.
• Assists patients with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, ambulation, meals and nourishment.
• Assists in moving, lifting, positioning, and transporting patients using proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
• Maintains patient safety by performing safety checks, using fall prevention devices/strategies, and following the Restraint Policy for restrained patients.
• Takes and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pulse oximetry) and measures patients’ weights and heights.
• Performs ECGs, point‑of‑care tests, and bladder scanning; collects, labels, and prepares specimens for transport to the lab.
• Performs unit‑specific procedures such as battery changes for telemetry units, checks equipment status, cleans equipment between patients, and properly stores supplies.
• Assists RN/LIC in treatments and procedures by preparing the patient, obtaining equipment and supplies, positions the patient, provides emotional support, and cleans up after the procedure.
• Observes, measures, and records oral food and fluid intake; refills tube feeding bags as directed; empties and records output from foley catheters, ostomy appliances, and drainage systems; performs ostomy care on established patients.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ needs, building positive rapport and relationships.
• Provides respectful, culturally and age‑appropriate communication with patients, staff, family, visitors, and others.
• Replenishes patient and unit supplies and equipment as needed.
• Requests assistance from identified resources when more direction is needed.
• Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reviewing communication boards, bulletin boards, posted notices, and responding to UMMHC e‑mail regularly.

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities

• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Attends meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed.
• Uses Quality Improvement in daily operations.
• Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
• Respects diverse views, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to a professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment.
• Maintains regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

Position Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Basic Life Support certification within 30 days of employment.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English clearly and concisely.
• Basic computer skills.
• Basic medical terminology knowledge.
• Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergency situations.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted if it provides comparable proficiency.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

Position requires work indoors in a patient‑care environment. Requires hand dexterity, hearing, and vision to take directions, adjust equipment, observe, and describe patient observations. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Work is heavy demand, standing and walking most of the time, with potential to push heavy equipment and bend frequently.

Patient Care Technician II

Under the direction of the appropriate licensed clinician and in keeping with unit‑specific standards, the Patient Care Technician II provides patient care to meet personal needs and comfort, and assists members of the healthcare team. To qualify, the caregiver must meet the full competencies outlined by the Nursing Professional Practice.

Major Responsibilities

• Provides clear, timely communication to the RN regarding observations and changes seen in patients.
• Provides constant observation of high‑risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of a safe environment, de‑escalating patients and, if necessary, assisting with restraints.
• Assists patients with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, ambulation, meals, and nourishment.
• Assists in moving, lifting, positioning, and transporting patients using proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
• Maintains patient safety with patient safety checks, fall prevention strategies, and restraint policy compliance.
• Takes and records vital signs, height, and weight.
• Performs ECGs, point‑of‑care tests, bladder scanning, and phlebotomy in appropriate locations.
• Performs unit‑specific procedures such as telemetry battery changes, equipment checks, cleaning, and supply storage.
• Assists RN or licensed provider with treatments and procedures, preparing patients, setting up equipment, and using sterile technique when indicated.
• Observes, measures, and records oral food and fluid intake; sets up tube feeding solutions and refills bags; empties and records outputs from foley catheters, ostomy appliances, and drainage systems; performs ostomy care as directed.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness, building rapport and positive relationships.
• Provides respectful, culturally and age‑appropriate communication with patients, staff, family, visitors, and others.
• Replenishes patient and unit supplies and equipment.
• Requests assistance when more direction is needed.
• Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards, bulletin boards, posted notices, and responding to UMMHC e‑mail.
• Precepts new Patient Care Technicians when required.

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities

• Complies with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Attends meetings, conferences, and seminars as directed.
• Uses Quality Improvement in daily operations.
• Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
• Respects diverse views and demonstrates Standards of Respect, contributing to professionalism, tolerance, civility, and acceptance.
• Maintains reliable and predictable attendance.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

Position Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Current Basic Life Support certification.
• Demonstrated competency at the Patient Care Technician I level, at least 800 hours and 6 months as a PCA I.
• Prior inpatient/outpatient care experience or clinical care training.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English clearly and concisely.
• Medical terminology knowledge.
• Computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration and patient service.
• Problem‑solving abilities for routine situations.
• Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergency situations.
• Equivalent education and experience may be substituted if it provides comparable proficiency.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

Position requires work indoors in a patient‑care environment. Requires hand dexterity, hearing, and vision to take directions and observe patients. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Work is heavy demand, standing and walking most of the time, with possible pushing of heavy equipment and frequent bending.

Equal Opportunity Employment

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Contact for Disability Assistance

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.