PCA-32 Hour Evenings Med Surg

UMass Memorial Health; Southbridge (MA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 33,737; Part time

Job summary

UMass Memorial Health is seeking a dedicated Patient Care Technician to support the nursing team in a busy Massachusetts hospital. You will assist patients with daily living activities, monitor status, and help maintain a safe, compassionate environment.

Responsibilities include taking vital signs, performing EKGs and POC tests, and relaying observations to the RN. Requirements: high school diploma or GED, Basic Life Support within 30 days, and ability to communicate clearly in English.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school education or GED.
• Basic Life Support certification within 30‑days of employment.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and concise manner.
• Basic computer skills.
• Basic medical terminology knowledge.
• Must be able to remain calm when under stress or in emergency situations.
• Prior inpatient/outpatient care experience or clinical care training (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, timely communication to the RN regarding observations and changes seen in patients.
• Provide constant observation of high‑risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
• Assist patients with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, ambulating, meals, and nourishment.
• Assist in moving, lifting, positioning, and transporting patients by utilizing proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
• Maintains patient safety by performing patient safety checks and following restraints policy when needed.

Skills

English communication

Calm under pressure

Basic computer skills

Medical terminology

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Compensation & Work Hours

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt. Hiring Range: $15.00 - $24.49 per hour. Schedule: Holidays – Every Other Holiday, Monday through Friday. Weekends – Every Other Weekend. Shift: 2 – Evening Shift, 8 Hours. Scheduled Hours: 32 per week.

Major Responsibilities

• Provides clear, timely communication to the RN regarding observations and changes seen in patients, including changes in skin condition, vital signs, and/or mental status.
• Provides constant observation of high‑risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of a safe environment, utilizing interventions to de‑escalate patients and, if unsuccessful, participating in restraints in accordance with training and education as directed.
• Assists patients with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, ambulating, meals, and nourishment.
• Assists in moving, lifting, positioning, and transporting patients by utilizing proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
• Maintains patient safety by performing patient safety checks, utilizing fall‑prevention alternative devices/strategies as directed, and following the Restraint Policy standards when caring for a restrained patient.
• Takes and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and pulse oximetry) and measures and records patients' height and weight.
• Performs EKGs, Point‑of‑Care (POC) tests and bladder scanning, and collects, labels, and prepares specimens for transport to lab.
• Performs unit‑specific procedures such as battery changes for telemetry units, checking status of unit equipment, cleaning equipment between patients, and proper storage of supplies.
• Assists RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing patient, obtaining equipment and supplies, helping to position patient, providing emotional support, and cleaning up equipment and supplies following the procedure.
• Observes, measures, records oral food and fluid intake; refills tube‑feeding bags as directed; empties and records output from foley catheter, ostomy appliances, drainage systems; performs ostomy care on established ostomate patients as directed.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness to patients' needs by acting as a source of information and approaches all interactions with the intention of building positive rapport and relationships.
• Provides respectful, culturally and age‑appropriate communication with patients, staff, family, visitors and others.
• Replenishes patient and unit supplies and equipment as needed.
• Requests assistance from identified resources when more direction is needed.
• Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards, bulletin boards, posted notices, and reacting to UMMHC e‑mails on a regular basis.
• Has the ability to precept new Patient Care Technicians (if applicable).

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities

• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
• Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
• Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
• Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect.
• Maintains regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

Position Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school education or GED.
• Basic Life Support certification within 30‑days of employment.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and concise manner.
• Basic computer skills.
• Basic medical terminology knowledge.
• Must be able to remain calm when under stress or in emergency situations.
• Prior inpatient/outpatient care experience or clinical care training (preferred).

Physical Demands & Environmental Conditions

Work indoors in a patient care environment. Requires hand dexterity, hearing and vision to take direction from a patient or provider, adjust equipment, observe and describe patient observations. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Work is of heavy demand, standing and walking most of the time with the possibility of pushing heavy equipment and bending frequently.

Equal Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by law.

Disability Accommodation

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.