Patient Care Technician - Resource Pool (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC in Harrisburg is seeking a Patient Care Technician to support nursing staff with daily patient care, essential tasks and basic therapeutic procedures. The role emphasizes accurate documentation, safety, and collaboration within a diverse health care team.

The position involves assisting with ADLs, vital signs, blood glucose checks, specimen collection, and basic bedside care under RN supervision. It offers opportunities to perform advanced skills as department needs arise.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient care including assisting with procedures and activities of daily living.
• Assists with physical, respiratory and cardiopulmonary therapies and reports patient status to RN.
• Performs core nursing assistant tasks (blood glucose, weights, vitals, I&O, specimen collections, Foley care) and at least four additional BU tasks: phlebotomy, 12 lead EKG, simple dressing, Foley removal, point of care testing, bladder scan, straight catheter, IV catheter removal.
• Ensures equipment malfunctions are reported and maintains professional relationships; supports call lights, meal distribution and patient transport.
• Receives feedback, plans priorities, and participates in self-review; provides patient/family instruction under RN guidance and may apply/remove restraints as per protocol.
• Communicates clearly with the care team; supports safety and diversity; maintains accountability and teamwork.
• Adheres to policies and procedures; supports department projects and quality initiatives.
• Documents in medical records and completes clerical tasks as needed.
• Performs and is competent with ADLs and other core tasks including restraints, bladder scans, and specimen collection; assists with intra-hospital transport.
• Identifies learning needs and seeks planning assistance; adds advanced skills when needed (phlebotomy, IV removal, EKG, etc.).

Job description

Title and starting pay rate of this position may vary based on years of experience.

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).

• Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director or direct leader. Request's assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.

• 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.