Patient Care Technician PCT - General Surgical - FT Days

20 Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Inc.; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeast Georgia Health System in Gainesville seeks a patient care technician to join a General Surgery unit. The 32-bed unit cares for bariatric, urology, oncology, gynecology, vascular, and other surgical patients; nurses monitor IV analgesia and manage patient equipment.

The role emphasizes compassionate, detail‑oriented care, safety, and collaboration with licensed staff; requires basic nursing tasks and adaptability to census changes. NGHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• CCHT certification for dialysis unit.
• No prior experience required.
• RN Foundations for RN students; PCT Academy if not completed.

Responsibilities

• Obtain and report basic patient physiological data.
• Monitor intake and output; record on forms.
• Identify and report changes in patient status to licensed staff.
• Organize patient care following physician/nursing orders.
• Perform therapeutic procedures and report patient responses.
• Answer calls and triage communications.
• Assist with patient mobility and daily activities.
• Prepare room for new admissions and maintain supplies.
• Ensure safety and infection control practices.

Skills

Good interpersonal skills

Bi-lingual basics

Physical ability to push/pull

Adaptive in changing situations

Follow direction from licensed staff

Education

High School Diploma

CCHT certification

Job description

Job Category: Allied Health Work Shift/Schedule: 12 Hr Morning - Evening

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role: Job Summary

General Surgery is a 32-bed nursing unit with four equipped with negative pressure and 2 with bariatric ceiling lifts. Care is rendered to patients with a variety of specialties including, but not limited to: Bariatric Surgery including Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Duodenal Switch, and Revisional cases Urology diagnosis and procedures • Oncology Gynecology surgery General Surgery including major bowel procedures Vascular surgery procedures Plastic Surgery including skin grafts, flaps and reconstructive surgery Podiatry Other medical and surgical patients in times of high census.

Nurses provide care and monitoring for patients with IV patient-controlled analgesia.

Nurses are competent in the care of patients with the following: nephrostomy tubes, continuous bladder irrigations, biliary drains, Jackson Pratt drains, Constavac drains, epidurals, chest tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and peritoneal dialysis.

Nurses who have completed competencies may access and de-access Portacaths, and perform negative pressure wound dressing changes.

Minimum Job Qualifications

Licensure or other certifications: CCHT certification (for dialysis unit only).

Educational Requirements: High School Diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level of high school.

Minimum Experience: No previous experience is required.

Candidates who have not successfully completed the Foundations of Nursing course (RN students only), have less than six months of PCT experience within the past two years, or do not hold a current and active CNA certification will be enrolled in the PCT Academy, NGHS’s in-house training program.

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good interpersonal skills
• Physical ability to push/pull patients
• Adaptable in changing situation and work assignments
• Able to accept direction from professional nursing staff, and perform basic technical skills and procedures
• Bi-lingual basic language skills preferred

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Obtains and reports basic patient physiological data (such as vital signs, weight, skin condition, color, and character of urine and stool).
• Utilizes proper body mechanics, provides for positioning, mobility hygiene, ADL, and/or comfort needs according to procedure and direction.
• Monitors p.o. intake and urine output, recording amount on appropriate forms.
• Promptly identifies and reports physical and mental status changes to licensed staff assigned to the patient.
• Organizes patient care and sets appropriate priorities by implementing physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
• Performs therapeutic procedures within the parameters of the job description; reporting patients response to supervising nurse.
• Makes frequent rounds to patients room in addition to responding without prompting to patient call lights, instituting appropriate actions.
• Orients patient/family/Significant other to unit & room.
• Greets patient & family in a positive pleasant manner with each encounter.
• Explains procedure or care to be provided to patient prior to start of procedure.
• Accurately & timely records patient data and forwards to supervisory staff within established time frames.
• Attains proficiency with all required IT systems to support the clinical staff & accurate documentation of patient care.
• Answers the telephone in a polite and courteous manner.
• Screens and refers all calls appropriately to ensure accurate communication.
• Refers all calls to leave orders for patient care to licensed staff.
• Relays telephone, verbal, and written requests accurately to the appropriate individual(s).
• Places reports (ie:, x-ray, etc.) in patient’s chart or insures reports are sent to appropriate units.
• Contributes to patient safety by: Utilization of Universal Precautions for all patients and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
• Careful adherence to NGHS Hand Hygiene policy.
• Providing a safe patient environment (i.e. call light within reach, side-rails up, etc.)
• Obtaining and restocking isolation supplies for patients on Infection Precautions.
• Completing and documenting equipment cleaning responsibilities as well as maintaining properly functioning equipment.
• Promptly reports equipment issues to charge nurse.
• Distributes linen and ice to patients as needed in addition to frequently offering refreshments as patient’s diet permits.
• Replaces telemetry batteries as needed.
• Performs patient transport functions as needed by the unit.
• Cleans and restocks.
• Changes out sharps containers located in patient rooms when containers are two-thirds full.
• Replaces glove boxes and disinfectant wipes in patient rooms.
• Prepares room for new admissions (make sure PPE is stocked, bed is turned down and any appropriate supplies or equipment is available for the incoming patient).
• Participates in staff meeting with no more than two absences per year.
• Reads and responds to e-mails in timely manner.
• Exhibits flexibility in scheduling to meet department staffing needs.
• Completes unit specific and annual competency assessment requirements within specific timelines.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time
• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time
• Vision: Moderate, Frequently 31-65% of time
• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Frequently 31-65% of time
• Standing/Walking: Frequently 31-65% of time
• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently 31-65% of time
• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65% of time

Job Requires

Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

Equity & Diversity Statement

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.

About NGHS

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through five hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest – with a total of more than 850 beds and more than 1,200 medical staff members representing more than 60 specialties.

Learn more at www.nghs.com.