TECH PARTNER - PCU

Independence Health System; Mount Pleasant (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System seeks a Technical Partner to provide direct and indirect patient care under RN/LPN direction. You will participate in education, ensure safe care, and coordinate with the care team across shifts within a hospital setting.

You will perform clinical tasks, collaborate closely with nursing staff, and contribute to performance improvement and infection control efforts as part of a skilled health-care team.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership ability and good organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate complex topics to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver direct and indirect patient care per hospital policies and standards.
• Respond to call lights and patient/family inquiries promptly.
• Collect, document and report ongoing patient care data as directed.
• Support education to promote health and self-care for patients.
• Maintain collaboration with health care providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Participate in unit performance improvement activities.
• Assist with regulatory compliance and infection control processes.
• Provide patient safety and assist with specimens and emergency response when needed.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Critical thinking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Technical Partner will provide direct and indirect patient care under the direction of the RN or LPN.

Essential Job Functions

• Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols and standards of care.
  • Perform and/or assist with patient care needs as directed and assist patient with activities of daily living.
  • Respond to call lights, inquiries and requests from patients and families in a timely manner.
  • Collect, document and report ongoing patient care data as directed.
  • Measure and/or document intake and output, including drainage and obtain daily weights when indicated.
  • Obtain individual patient care equipment as directed.
  • Transport patients as directed.
  • May perform the following skills: obtain vital signs, apply heating pads, set up suction equipment, utilize E cylinders, apply antiembolic hose, aseptic techniques, distribute and maintain sufficient supply of linens, apply Sequential Compression Devices, perform blood glucose testing, perform ostomy care, simple dressing changes, apply telemetry leads, bladder scanning, preventative skin care. Apply pulse oximetry, transport blood and blood products from blood bank, perform EKGs, oral pharyngeal suctioning, place patient in CPM machine, prepare and maintain isolation boxes and supplies, declutter patient rooms and storage areas, deliver specimens to lab, crutch measurement and teaching, maintenance of specialty carts, supply inventory and special order supplies, stock warmers with blankets, saline, and water.
  • Make regular rounds to address patient needs and physical environment - purposeful hourly rounding,
• Assist in the educational process to promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes.
  • Obtain resources as needed.
  • Report to the RN/LPN information regarding the patient's readiness to learn.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with other health care providers to achieve desired outcomes and assure continuous flow of patient care.
  • Communicate pertinent information of actual/potential problems to the professional/practical nurse.
  • Communicate pertinent information at shift reports and during internal and external transfers.
• Participate in the unit performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services.
  • Assist in data collection process as requested.
  • Recommend modifications for performance improvement.
  • Demonstrate leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of the technical partner.
    • Demonstrate an ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seek assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
    • Maintain accountability for actions taken.
    • Effectively function as a resource person.
    • Act as a patient advocate.
    • Perform effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
    • Assist in maintaining/decreasing organizational/departmental costs.
  • Assist in the department's compliance with state, Joint Commission, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
    • Assist in continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
    • Adhere to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
    • Assist with maintaining sufficient and proper supplies on an assigned unit.
    • Assist with monitoring sterile supplies for expiration date and replaces as needed.
  • Provide for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies.
    • Utilize two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
    • Assume appropriate code team role during code situations or mock codes.
    • Respond effectively during emergency situations, including internal and external disasters.
    • Assist in maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors and staff.
    • Complete proper collection, identification, labeling and delivery of specimens (including diagnostic studies) to the appropriate department.
    • Support limited use of restraints in accordance with established standards and documents according to policies.
  • Other duties as assigned.

  Competency and Experience

  Required Qualifications/Experience

  • High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
  • Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
  • Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

  Preferred Qualifications/Experience

  • Completion of a Nurse Aide or comparable program (such as EMT, Medical Assistant, nursing student with at least one semester of clinical or prior experience in related field.
  • Current Nursing Student (with clinical experience).
  • Experience in Healthcare setting.

  License, Certification & Clearances

  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program required or obtain within orientation period (five (5) days from hire).
  • Act 33 with renewal
  • Act 34 with renewal
  • Act 73 FBI Clearance

  Supervisory Responsibilities

  • This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

  Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

  • Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
  • Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

  Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

  Disclaimer

  This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

  Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

  When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

  Essential – Absolute Necessity.

  Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

  Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

  Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

  Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

  Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

  Physical Condition

  Marginal

  Constantly

  Frequently

  Occasionally

  Rarely

  Never

  Extreme Heat

  X

  Extreme Cold

  X

  Heights

  X

  Confined Spaces

  X

  X

  Mechanical Hazards

  X

  Use of Vibrating Tools

  X

  Operates Vehicle

  X

  X

  Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

  X

  X

  Rotates All Shifts

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  On-Call

  X

  Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Respirator Protective Equipment

  X

  X

  Eye Protection

  X

  X

  X

  Hearing Protection

  X

  Hand Protection

  X

  X

  Feet, Toe Protection

  X

  Body Protection

  X

  X

  Latex Exposure

  X

  X

  Solvent Exposure

  X

  Paint (direct use) Exposure

  X

  Dust (sanding) Exposure

  X

  X

  Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Mist Exposure

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Laser Exposure

  X

  Physical Demands

  When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

  Essential – Absolute Necessity.

  Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

  Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

  Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

  Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

  Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

  Physical Condition

  Marginal

  Constantly

  Frequently

  Occasionally

  Rarely

  Never

  Walking

  Climbing Ladders

  Standing

  Kneeling

  Squatting (Crouching)

  Twisting/Turning

  Keyboard/Computer Operation

  Gross Grasp

  Hand/Arm Coordination

  Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

  Carry

  Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

  Seeing Near w/Acuity

  Feeling (Sensation)

  Hearing Clearly

  Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

  Reaching Above Shoulder Level

  Reaching Forward

  Lifting Floor to Knuckle

  ###

  Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

  ###

  Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

  ###

  Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

  ###

  When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

  Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
  This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.