Patient Care Technician - Surgical Specialty Unit

UnityPoint Health; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

UnityPoint Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician for full-time night shifts (8- and 12-hour) Monday-Thursday, with no weekends and holiday rotation. You will support RN staff, provide hands-on patient care, and assist with activities of daily living while ensuring safe, compassionate care across units.

You will document patient status in the EMR, participate in care planning, and collaborate with the healthcare team to promote quality outcomes and a positive patient experience.

Qualifications

• BLS certification required.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Able to complete basic computer course on the Electronic Medical Records (EMR).

Responsibilities

• Partner with the RN and healthcare team to achieve patient care outcomes and goals of care.
• Enter and update patient data in the EMR accurately and timely.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living.
• Transport medications and assist with medication handling per policy.
• Follow competency validation and department procedures to ensure safety and quality of care.

Skills

BLS certification

English fluency

EMR literacy

Job description

Overview

Full time: 8 and/or 12 hour night shift, Monday-Thursday, no weekends, holiday rotation.

Under the direction of a licensed professional, the Patient Care Technician delivers hands-on patient care and comfort, assists with clinical procedures and technical tasks, and accurately observes, reports, and documents patient status. The role supports safe, efficient unit operations by focusing on personal care, mobility, nutrition, hydration, elimination, and prevention of complications, while preparing patients and environments for procedures. Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team, the PCT provides compassionate, patient- and family-centered support across diverse care settings to promote quality outcomes and a positive experience.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Partners with the RN and other healthcare team members to achieve patient care outcomes and goals of care, as identified in the plan of care.
• Obtains records and/or accurately enters data into the EMR, as identified in the PCT Scope of Practice. Competency validation and documentation of skill performance is required.
• Performs specific tasks as directed by the RN and other healthcare team members, following competency validation.
• May assist with responsibilities of the Unit Secretary, per department expectations and appropriate competency validation.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living.
• May assist in transporting medications that are not controlled substances from pharmacy delivery devices to medication storage areas on patient care unit, as well as transporting medications from patient care unit to pharmacy.
• Demonstrates an awareness of patient and personal safety.
• Incorporates St. Luke’s Comfort/C.A.R.E. Professional Practice Model in their daily care.

Effective Communication

• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills with patients, families, healthcare team members and other customers. Verbal communication is clear and precise. Written communication is legible, if handwritten, and done in a timely manner using approved abbreviations.
• Verbally presents factual, concise, and timely information and/or patient care data to the RN, the healthcare team, patients and/or family members in a professional manner.
• Real-time EMR documentation is done in accordance with hospital and unit policies.
• Hand-offs will be done with attention to detail and with safety as a high priority. Hand-offs are utilized to communicate patient treatment and assessment information, patient education needs, goals of care and other quality care measures at each change of caregiver or setting of care.
• Collaborates with healthcare team to provide patient care.
  • Consults with RN and/or other healthcare team members, as appropriate.
  • Obtains instruction and supervision, as necessary, when implementing new or unfamiliar tasks or duties.
  • Complies with established department routines, policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Maintain current BLS certification
• Writes, reads, speaks, and comprehends fluent English
• Be able to complete a basic computer course on the Electronic Medical Records