Patient Care Technician- PACU

UPMC; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC is seeking a dedicated Patient Care Technician to join the on-site Pre-Op team in Erie. The role focuses on patient safety and prep for surgery, with duties spanning direct patient care, vital signs, preoperative preparation, and post-procedure support.

The schedule runs 4:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with no weekends or holidays. Ideal candidates are dependable, adaptable and strong communicators who thrive in a team-oriented environment and demonstrate initiative and accountability.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must meet one of the following: 1 year of general healthcare experience; OR 6 months as a UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with competency achieved within 120 days; OR enrollment in a health training program with at least one clinical rotation; OR Bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field.
• EMT or Paramedic certification, or current enrollment in an EMT/Paramedic program, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care including ADLs, transport, positioning, toileting, bathing, feeding, and ambulation.
• Support preoperative preparation, vital signs, glucose testing, CHG bathing, answering phones, and patient flow.
• Core PCT duties: testing, vital signs, intake/output, specimen collection, Foley care, bladder scans, dressings, telemetry, restraints, intra-hospital transport.
• Maintain competency in advanced skills (phlebotomy, EKG, basic arrhythmia, IV removal, catheter care).
• Assist with physical, respiratory and cardiopulmonary therapies; report changes to RN.
• Provide patient and family instruction; document care per procedures.
• Respond to call lights, transport meals, assist with clerical tasks.
• Maintain professional relationships with patients and staff; comply with safety and confidentiality policies.
• Demonstrate accountability, adaptability, initiative, cultural awareness, teamwork and safety.

Skills

Dependable

Adaptable

Strong communicators

Team-oriented

Education

High school diploma or GED

1 year of general healthcare experience

EMT/Paramedic certification or in progress

Enrollment in PT/OT/PA program (clinical rotation)

Job description

Join a collaborative and supportive Pre-Op team focused on patient safety and providing an outstanding experience as patients prepare for surgery. The 15-bed unit supports a variety of surgical specialties and procedures. The schedule for this on-site position is 4:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with no weekends or holidays.

What We’re Looking For:

Ideal candidates are dependable, adaptable, strong communicators, and team-oriented. Patient care or healthcare experience is preferred, along with the ability to take initiative, demonstrate accountability, and anticipate the needs of patients and coworkers.

Title and salary will be determined based on education and experience.

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct patient care, including assisting with procedures, activities of daily living, patient transport, positioning, toileting, bathing, feeding, and ambulation.
• Support preoperative patient preparation, including obtaining and documenting vital signs, blood glucose testing, CHG bathing, answering phones, and assisting with patient flow.
• Perform core Patient Care Technician responsibilities, including point-of-care testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, bladder scans, simple dressings, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, restraints, and intra-hospital patient transportation.
• Maintain competency in advanced skills based on department needs, including phlebotomy/venipuncture, 12-lead EKG, basic arrhythmia, peripheral IV removal, Foley catheter removal, straight catheterization, and NG tube clamping/removal.
• Assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies and promptly report changes in patient condition to the RN.
• Provide patient and family instruction under the direction of the RN and document care according to established procedures.
• Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, transport patients, and assist with clerical and other unit activities as needed.
• Communicate effectively and maintain professional, respectful relationships with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team.
• Follow all patient care, safety, infection prevention, confidentiality, and hospital policies and procedures. Report equipment malfunctions appropriately.
• Demonstrate accountability, adaptability, initiative, cultural awareness, teamwork, and a commitment to patient and workplace safety.
• Seek feedback and assistance as needed, identify learning opportunities, and support department projects, quality initiatives, and continuous improvement.
• Access to medications is limited to distribution of medication to the nurse.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must meet one of the following:
• 1 year of general healthcare experience; OR
• 6 months of experience as a UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA, with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire, transfer, or promotion for candidates with less than 1 year of experience; OR
• Enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, or related healthcare training program with completion of at least one clinical rotation; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field.
• Successful completion of the UPMC Patient Care Technician class and eRecord training.
• EMT or Paramedic certification, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program, preferred.
  
  

Licensure, Certifications & Clearances:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR meeting AHA standards, including both didactic and skills demonstration components, required within 30 days of hire.
• ACLS preferred.
• Act 31 Mandated Reporter/Child Abuse Reporting training required within 90 days of hire or transfer, with renewal as applicable.
• Act 33 Clearance with renewal.
• Act 34 Clearance with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.
  
  

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran