Description
JOB SUMMARY
Under the general direction of the DON and Charge Nurse, the Patient Care Tech (PCT) will promote palliative care and comfort for hospital inpatients, swing-bed patients, and hospice care patients, in accordance with Joint Commission, federal, state, and local guidelines, organizational and departmental policies and procedures. PCT gives routine, non-licensed, technical bedside care as requested by licensed staff member as a member of the Nursing Team.
STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE
- 1. Provides basic age-appropriate patient care under the supervision of an RN/LPN.
- a) Basic hygiene is provided by offering complete or partial bath as needed (i.e. mouth care, hair care, shaving and catheter care) as assistant to the RN/LPN.
- b) Vital signs are accurate and documented correctly according to unit specific policies and guidelines and gathered when requested by the RN/LPN.
- c) Provides a secondary visualization of patients for pressure areas and promptly reports to RN/LPN.
- d) I & O’s and weights are accurate and documented according to unit guidelines when requested by the RN.
- e) Patient arm bands are checked upon admission, each shift and as needed.
- f) Emptying and recording output from foley catheters and/or colostomies.
- 2. Laboratory policy/procedures are followed.
- a) Two patient identifiers are verified prior to specimen collection.
- b) Verify ID band with the specimen label.
- c) Other specimens: sputum, stools, urine, etc. are promptly delivered or sent to the laboratory as appropriate.
- d) Patient armbands are scanned for bedside glucose testing.
- 1. Collaborates with nursing and respiratory to provide appropriate respiratory care.
- a) Encourages turning, coughing and deep breathing for appropriate patients.
- b) Removes and reapplies oxygen when instructed by RN/LPN.
- 2. Demonstrates patient safety awareness.
- a) Ensures identification band is on each patient at beginning of shift.
- b) Communicates fall risk and activates exit alarm as indicated.
- c) Uses proper body mechanics.
- d) Turns and positions patients every 2 hours as assistant with RN/LPN.
- e) Demonstrates patient safety awareness.
- 3. Performs tasks or clinical skills as delegated.
- a) Maintains awareness of patient’s nutritional status and assists with meals as needed.
- b) Performs urinary catheter care every shift and as needed.
- c) Maintains infection control measures per policy.
- d) Assists patients with readiness for discharge ensuring that all patient belongings are gathered. Upon D/C, prepares room for environmental services.
- e) Ensures patient rooms are kept tidy and organized.
- f) Restock supplies as directed by RN/LPN, to include linen, lab supplies, IV supplies.
- 4. Maintains customer service as a priority.
- a) Customers and co-workers are treated in a courteous manner.
- b) New patients are promptly welcomed with patient care items and oriented to unit.
- c) Call lights are answered promptly with message communicated to the appropriate person.
- d) Listens to shift report.
- e) Discusses patients plan for the day at the beginning of shift.
- 5. Demonstrates interpersonal behaviors congruent with the basic principles of working well with others.
- a) Focus on the situation, issue or behavior, not on the person.
- b) Maintains self-confidence and self-esteem of others.
- c) Maintain constructive relationships with co-workers, peers, managers and others maintaining a customer focus.
- d) Take initiative to make things better.
- e) Lead by example.
- f) Apologies are offered for unexpected delays.
- 6. Demonstrates team function.
- a) Accountability and reliability are demonstrated by reporting to work as scheduled.
- b) Compliance is demonstrated with adherence to the attendance policy.
- c) Punctuality is observed as a priority; reports to the unit on time
Requirements
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Level of Education: High School or equivalent; or Patient Care Tech Certification or completion of (1) semester in a clinical nursing program.
Professional Requirements: Graduate of a PCT, Nursing Assistant, EMT, CMA, MOA, or U.S. Military Medic Program or Enrolled in a school of Nursing and has completed one (1) full semester of clinical rotations. Patient Care Tech certification preferred.
Formal Training: Additional training regarding glucose testing. (in-house training provided)
Licensure, Certification, Registration: PCT, CMA, MOA, EMT, or Nursing Assistant Certificate; also, BLS/CPR.
Work Experience: Preferred 6 months experience in a hospital/outpatient care setting.
Tools and Equipment Used:
Calculator, personal computer, telephone, facsimile machine, paper shredder, copier, printer, standard office equipment, dynamap, telemetry.