Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician - Med/Surg ICU 3

Are you a healthcare professional interested in a career that provides plenty of opportunity for growth and development? If you're passionate about patient care and looking for a career that offers great benefits and plenty of room for growth, we invite you to explore this opportunity today!

UPMC Mercy is looking for a full-time Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician to support its Medical/Surgical ICU 3.

Title and starting pay rate of this position may vary based on years of experience. Salary range and responsibilities as shown are for a Patient Care Technician. 

The Medical/Surgical ICU 3 is a 24-bed critical care unit serving a wide variety of patients including medical, surgical, and cardiac patients.  Our patients range in age from young adult to geriatric. Staff assist with bedside procedures, provide emotional support to patients and family members, educate patients and family members about their illness, and assist in preparation for discharge.  In this high acuity setting, we use advanced hemodynamic monitoring equipment such as Vigileo monitoring, central lines, and arterial lines.  Treatment modalities include ventilators, IABP, induced hypothermia, continuous renal replacement therapy, and proning therapy. Staff members in the Medical/Surgical ICU are also part of the Condition A and C team which responds to all cardiac arrests in the hospital.

The Nursing Assistant and Patient Care Technician provides routine patient care and supports the department services in accordance with established policies and procedures, and may be directed by the nurse or physician to assure that the highest degree of quality patient care can be maintained at all times. Must routinely perform the UPMC nursing core nursing assistant 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), clean catch/mini catheter urine collection. In addition, Patient Care Technicians can apply simple dressings, 12 lead EKG, bladder scan, all specimen collections. All competencies must be achieved.

Candidates without previous PCT experience in a hospital-based setting will be required to attend a 10-day mandatory training course. This course is held during weekdays and daylight hours. All 10 days are mandatory and are scheduled in a structured classroom setting. 

Responsibilities:

• Provides patient care including assisting with patient procedures and activities of daily living.

• Assists with physical, respiratory and cardiopulmonary therapies.

• Provides feedback to the RN regarding patient care and reports changes in patient status.

• Performs the UPMC nursing core nursing assistant responsibilities (blood glucose, weights, vital signs, I&O, specimen collections and Foley care) AND at least four of the following BU identified tasks: phlebotomy, 12 lead EKG, simple dressing, Foley catheter removal, point of care testing, bladder scan, straight catheter, or IV catheter removal.

• Assures equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department.

• Establishes appropriate and effective communication with other departments.

• Establishes professional and respectful interpersonal relationships.

• Contributes to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays and transporting patients.

• Constructively receives feedback and direction.

• Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director.

• Takes action to improve knowledge, skills and performance.

• Requests assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.

• Participates in self-review as requested by the unit director.

• 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.

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team.

• Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence and impairment in the health professions.

• Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.

• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues.

• Strictly adheres to all policies and procedures relative to patient care and hospital related information.

• Complies with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions.

• Suggests and supports changes within the department.

• 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.

• Performs assigned work in a timely and productive manner.

• Completes department clerical functions as needed.

• Suggests and supports changes within the department.

• 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.

• Must routinely perform the UPMC nursing core nursing assistant 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, simple dressings, placement and removal of restraints, bladder scan, all specimen collections and ticket to ride. All competencies must be achieved.

• Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• In addition to the required standard competencies, the Patient Care Technician will achieve and maintain competency and/or perform at least 1 or more of the following advanced skills based on department operational need: phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrythmia, 12-lead EKG, and NG tubes clamping and removal.