Patient Care Technician - Specialist

Join UPMC St. Margaret Hospital's Emergency Department!

As a Patient Care Technician in the Emergency Department, you will be part of a highly collaborative team in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. Our Emergency Department team is committed to delivering exceptional patient care while supporting one another through the unique challenges and rewards of emergency medicine. In this role, you will provide direct patient care and assist the clinical team with duties such as obtaining vital signs and weights, performing blood glucose monitoring, documenting intake and output, collecting specimens, providing Foley catheter care, and assisting with the application and removal of restraints. If you thrive in an energetic setting, enjoy working as part of a close-knit team, and are passionate about making a difference in the lives of patients, we encourage you to apply.

This position works rotating 12-hour shifts, including daylight, evening, overnight, with weekend shifts on an as needed basis. Shift start times include 7:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. The final candidate will be required to commit to working approximately 36-hours in a six-week scheduling period.

This position reflects the qualifications and salary of a Patient Care Technician - Specialist which is a valued step in UPMC's Patient Care Support Career Ladder. The final candidate will be placed in the appropriate title and salary based on education and experience.

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)
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran