Patient Care Technician, Addiction Medicine

UPMC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC McKeesport 3C Addiction Medicine Unit is seeking a full-time Patient Care Technician. The role involves rotating shifts with start times at 6:30am and 6:30pm, and a night differential of up to $1.60 per hour for evening shifts.

You will support the 3C unit and other inpatient areas as needed, delivering compassionate care and building strong relationships with patients and care teams. Candidates must have at least one year of direct patient care experience, preferably with exposure to

Qualifications

• At least one year of direct patient care experience.
• Experience with substance use disorders or behavioral health settings preferred.
• Ability to collaborate with nurses and care teams.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living.
• Record vital signs, monitor patient status, and report changes to RN.
• Support nursing core duties and contribute to safe, compassionate care.

Skills

Direct patient care

Vital signs

Team communication

Job description

UPMC McKeesport 3C Addiction Medicine Unit is searching for a full-time Patient Care Technician!

This full-time Patient Care Technician role will work 3, rotating shifts each week with start times at 6:30am and 6:30pm. Any evening shifts are eligible for our night differential of up to an extra $1.60 more per hour!

In this role, you'll be assisting with our 3C Addiction Medicine unit primarily but may be pulled to other inpatient units as needed. On our specialized Addiction Medicine Unit, you'll be providing compassionate, high-quality care to patients dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. Working with this type of patient population is very rewarding and you leave at the end of the day feeling good about helping someone get to where they are in their recovery journey. Use your skills to establish strong relationships with patients, families, and care teams while growing your career in patient services.

Candidates are required to have at least one year of direct patient care work experience, preferably with exposure to substance use disorders or behavioral health settings.

Responsibilities:

• Provides patient care including assisting with patient procedures and activities of daily living. Assists with physical, respiratory and cardiopulmonary therapies. Provides feedback to the RN regarding patient care and reports changes in patient status.
• Performs the UPMC nursing core nursing assistant responsibilities (blood glucose, weights, vital signs, I&O, specimen collections and Foley care) AND at least four of the following BU identified tasks: phlebotomy, 12 lead EKG, simple dressing, Foley catheter removal, point of care testing, bladder scan, straight catheter, or IV catheter removal.
• Assures equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department. Establishes appropriate and effective communication with other departments. Establishes professional and respectful interpersonal relationships. Contributes to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays and transporting patients.
• Constructively receives feedback and direction. Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director. Takes action to improve knowledge, skills and performance. Requests assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed. Participates in self-review as requested by the unit director.
• Provides instruction to patients and their families under the direction of the RN. May apply, monitor and remove patient restraints as per physician or hospital protocol.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team. Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence and impairment in the health professions. Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace. Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues.
• Strictly adheres to all policies and procedures relative to patient care and hospital related information. Complies with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions.
• Suggests and supports changes within the department. Assumes responsibility for assignment and views problems as challenges. Demonstrates awareness of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department. Supports department-based projects and quality initiatives.
• Documents in the medical record according to established procedures. Performs assigned work in a timely and productive manner. Completes department clerical functions as needed.
• Must routinely perform and be fully competent with the UPMC nursing core assistant responsibilities including ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning patients.) PLUS point of care testing (inc. blood glucose), weights, vital signs, I&O, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, hospital-acquired condition & patient safety indicator. In addition, simple dressings, placement and removal of restraints, bladder scan, all specimen collections and ticket to ride (intra-hospital patient transportation).
• Assures equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department. Contributes to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.
• Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director or direct leader. Request's assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
• Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions. Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
• Provides instruction to patients and their families under the direction of the RN. May apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints as per physician or hospital protocol.
• Documents in the medical record according to established procedures. Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse.
• In addition to the required standard competencies, the Patient Care Technician will achieve and maintain competency and/or perform at least 1 or more of the following advanced skills based on department operational need: phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrythmia, 12-lead EKG, and NG tubes clamping and removal.