PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (MM/CVC Patient Tower, Level 11 Medical Cardiac (MC) Structural Heart)

Observation/Monitoring

• Obtains vital signs, temperature, height/length, weight, oxygen saturation and pain scores; reports abnormal values to RN, obtains other measurements (i.e. head circumference, abdominal girth) per unit standard.
• Responds to monitor alarms.
• Utilizes palpation/auscultation and Doppler to determine heart rate and blood pressure.
• Observes, monitors and reports the overt physical condition of assigned patient(s).
• Responds to physiologic monitor alarms based on unit training and competencies.
• Measures and records intake and output.
• Functions as a sitter.
• Assists physician/provider during diagnostic procedures, assists and supports patient before and during procedures, assists in specimen collection.
• Applies and changes ECG electrodes and pulse ox probe, attaches patient to travel (ECG and A-Line) monitor.
• Places monitor strips on inpatient records.

Specimen Collection

• Performs point of care testing; maintains and calibrates equipment and supplies.
• Collects blood specimens from arterial, CVP and PIC lines.
• Collects specimens, including urine, stool, sputum and swabs, and performs urine determination including sugar, acetone, specific gravity protein, pH.
• Performs finger/heel stick blood collection and chemstick test.
• Initiates, maintains and records 24-hour urine collection.
• Transports blood and laboratory specimens.

Intravenous Lines

• Discontinues peripheral IVs.
• Removes peripheral IV dressings.
• Primes peripheral (without additives) and central/pressure heparin set-ups (after bag spiked by RN); times and dates bag/tubing per policy.

Patient ADLs

• Assists patients with, or administers routine personal hygiene including baths, oral care, skin care, umbilical cord and circumcision care.
• Performs preventative skin care, pre-operative preps, perineal care.
• Provides toileting/bedpan/urinal; remove/empty foley catheters; weighs diapers.
• Accompanies, escorts, ambulates, moves, turns, dangles, lifts, transports and attends/holds/positions patients.
• Assists with range of motion; applies rehabilitation equipment; releases and applies devices, i.e. wheelchair seatbelt, adaptive equipment, etc., in accordance with specific instructions, to position patients to limit movements.
• Provides patient nourishment by performing such duties as passing and collecting trays, providing snacks/beverages, assists with ordering meals/snacks; feeds patients.
• Double check breast milk with RN.

Tube Feedings

• Perform tube feedings of patients, at the direction of the RN, and after the RN has established placement just prior to each tube feeding.

Urinary Catheters

• Performs intermittent sterile urinary catheterizations.
• Performs clean urinary catheterizations (Pediatrics only-waiting for data).
• Connects, drains and disconnects urinary catheters.
• Assembles intermittent bladder irrigation supplies.
• Discontinues urinary catheters.
• Applies condom catheter.
• Determines bladder status with Bladder Scanner.

Enemas/Suppositories

• Administers cleansing enemas that do not contain medication.
• Applies external Fecal Incontinence Device bags.

Wound Care

• Cleanses and redresses non-sterile wounds.
• Performs simple sterile dressing changes, as in central line dressings.
• Assists RN with complex dressing changes.
• Cares for permanent drainage sites and apply appropriate collection device, i.e., ostomy, G-tube, etc.
• Applies binders, ACE wraps, hot and cold applications; provides soaks and special baths.

Respiratory Care

• Assist with tracheostomy care on stable tracheotomies including such duties as cleaning and redressing area; assists with tape and tie changes.
• Performs endotracheal/tracheostomy tube suctioning after assessment by RN of patient stability.
• Provides ventilation to the intubated/trached patient with an Ambu bag.
• Assists with Endotracheal tube care and tape changes.
• Assists with P&PD by holding the patient.
• Measures and records chest tube drainage; sets-up Pleurevac; checks Pleurevac water levels and notifies RN prn.
• Coaches/prompts patient to use incentive spirometer, and in coughing and deep breathing.
• Performs routine nasal and/or oral suctioning.

Other Interventions

• Measures and obtains TED hose; applies Sequential Compression Devices.
• Performs post-mortem care and transports deceased patients to the morgue/pathology.
• Responds to call lights and alarms; answer unit telephone and relay messages prn.
• Empties and measures drainage collection and emesis.
• Assists RN with admissions, discharges, and transfers.
• Provide skin care at the direction of the RN, applying select topical emollients containing medication.
• Initiates emergency care utilizing the ABCs, Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
• Transports materials, supplies, medications, specimens, patient belongings, equipment and medical records.
• Performs patient care comfort-safety rounds per unit routine.
• Assists with application and maintains restraints.
• Documents care provided.
• Performs 12-lead ECG.

Environment

• Stocks supplies and equipment in patient care spaces.
• Sets up patient rooms for admission or procedure.
• Makes up beds with linen, changes bed linens and linen hamper during patient stay.
• Maintains orderliness of the patient room and unit, including equipment/cords, linen, trash, patient belongings, etc.
• Cleans and maintains inventory and outdates of equipment and supplies in patient care spaces.
• Clean assigned equipment and areas of work.
• Obtains, opens and arranges sterile instruments and supplies for specific procedures.
• Clean, packs, sterilizes and stores instruments.
• Checks emergency equipment.
• Performs clerical duties prn.

Qualifications

High school diploma, GED or equivalent. Must be able to perform a wide range of physical activities which include moving, transporting and positioning patients and equipment as well as constantly positioning self to provide patient care and related duties.

Completion of a Certified Nurse Aide or Certified Medical Assistant program. Basic computer skills. Coursework in an Allied Health field. Ability to read and write, and one of the following: 6 months experience in a skilled long-term facility/acute care hospital OR Enrolled in a nursing program and have completed fundamentals of nursing course OR 1 year experience in a short-term facility (i.e. rehab) OR Completion of a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program. Progressive knowledge in methods, procedures, materials, and equipment of designated area is necessary.

This is a 36-hour, night shift position.