Patient Care Technician - Specialist

UPMC; Seneca (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Northwest is seeking a full-time Patient Care Technician – Specialist to join the Emergency Department team. The role focuses on assisting nurses with daily clinical tasks, monitoring vital signs, performing specimen collection, and ensuring a safe patient environment.

Ideal candidates hold a high school diploma or GED, have healthcare experience, and demonstrate strong communication and teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates ability to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) for patients.
• Performs vital signs assessment and basic patient monitoring.
• Administers phlebotomy and basic point-of-care testing.
• Handles ECG basics and telemetry monitoring as part of patient care.
• Provides compassionate customer service to patients and families.

Responsibilities

• Deliver routine patient care under RN supervision, including assisting with ADLs, feeding, bathing, and mobility.
• Report equipment malfunctions and support unit activities such as call lights, meal distribution, and patient transport.
• Assist with IVs, catheter insertions/removals, specimen collection, and wound care as directed by the RN.
• Support learning needs of staff and coordinate with unit leadership for priorities.
• Documentation in the medical record and safe transport of patients within the hospital.

Skills

ADLs care

Vital signs

Phlebotomy

ECG basics

Telemetry monitoring

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

UPMC Northwest is hiring a full-time Patient Care Technician - Specialist to join the Emergency Department Team!

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence and impairment in the health professions. Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
• 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.
• Must routinely perform the UPMC nursing core patient care technician 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, HAC & PSI prevention (TEDs/SCDs). In addition, completes simple dressings, placement and removal of restraints, bladder scan, all specimen collections. Additionally, must perform IV catheter removal, Foley catheter removal, IV insertion, Foley catheter insertion, straight catheterization, phlebotomy and ticket to ride. All competencies must be achieved. In addition to the standard required competencies, the Patient Care Technician - Specialist will achieve and maintain competency and/or perform at least 1 or more of the following advanced skills based on department operational need: basic arrythmia, complex wound care, 12 lead EKG, and NG tubes clamping and removal.
• 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.
• Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director or direct leader. Request’s assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
• 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. Transports cardiac monitored patients within the hospital setting. May insert foley catheters and perform straight catheterization as instructed by RN. May perform IV insertion, removal, and dressing change. Completes department clerical functions as needed.
• May, in the course of their duties, be in rooms where medications are stored or may transport medications when they transport patients. Transportation of medication is limited from one department to another.
• job title and salary based upon experience and education.

Purpose

The Patient Care Technician – Specialist plays a vital role in delivering high quality patient care by assisting nurses and healthcare providers in daily clinical and personal care tasks. Responsibilities include monitoring vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), collecting specimens, and ensuring a clean and safe patient environment. The Patient Care Technician - Senior may also work collaboratively with nurses to perform EKGs and phlebotomy procedures. The PCT must demonstrate compassion, strong communication skills, and a commitment to patient-centered care while adhering to all healthcare protocols and safety standards. In addition to the standard required competencies, the Patient Care Technician - Specialist will achieve and maintain competency and/or perform at least 1 or more of the following advanced skills based on department operational need: basic arrythmia, complex wound care, 12 lead EKG, and NG tubes clamping and removal.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence and impairment in the health professions. Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
• 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.
• Must routinely perform the UPMC nursing core patient care technician 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, HAC & PSI prevention (TEDs/SCDs). In addition, completes simple dressings, placement and removal of restraints, bladder scan, all specimen collections. Additionally, must perform IV catheter removal, Foley catheter removal, IV insertion, Foley catheter insertion, straight catheterization, phlebotomy and ticket to ride. All competencies must be achieved. In addition to the standard required competencies, the Patient Care Technician - Specialist will achieve and maintain competency and/or perform at least 1 or more of the following advanced skills based on department operational need: basic arrythmia, complex wound care, 12 lead EKG, and NG tubes clamping and removal.
• 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.
• Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director or direct leader. Request’s assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
• 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. Transports cardiac monitored patients within the hospital setting. May insert foley catheters and perform straight catheterization as instructed by RN. May perform IV insertion, removal, and dressing change. Completes department clerical functions as needed.
• May, in the course of their duties, be in rooms where medications are stored or may transport medications when they transport patients. Transportation of medication is limited from one department to another.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Must also have either a)2 years of general healthcare experience and meet requirements of Patient Care Technician - Senior title, OR b)1 year of experience (defined above) and enrollment in PT/OT/PA program with completion of at least one clinical rotation, or c)1 year of experience (defined above) and completion of a bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field.
• Annual completion of a professional contribution to be determined after hire
• Successful completion of patient care technician specialist class
• Successful completion of eRecord training.
• Nursing Student that has completed one clinical rotation preferred Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic or currently enrolled in an EMT or Paramedic program preferred.
• May require successful completion of the appropriate UPMC cardiac rhythm course as determined by organizational guidelines and unit-based clinical operations.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire ACLS preferred

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran