Patient Care Technician (Emergency Room)

Bargaining Unit: Seafarers International Union (SIU Allied Health)

Salary: $40,000.00

Position Summary:

Under the direction of a licensed registered nurse or physician, the Patient Care Technician (PCT) assumes responsibility to provide safe patient care and ensures safety of equipment and supplies. The PCT reports to the Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse, Head Nurse, and Clinical Care Coordinator within their assigned area. In addition, the PCT ensures effective communication to appropriate clinical staff and team members relative to patient care needs, and performs duties as indicated by the individuals that he or she reports per policy and procedure. This person is cognizant of the philosophy, standards, objectives, and policies of the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital, Medical Staff and their respective department.

 

Hazards & Physical Requirements:

Must be able to stand for up to 8 hours a day, walk up to 4 hours a day, and sit for up to 4 hours a day. Must be able to occasionally push/pull up to 100 lbs. and lift/carry up to 20 lbs. on an occasional basis. Is aware of risk of exposure to communicable diseases; blood and/or body fluids. May be exposed to fumes, chemicals, cold, heat, radiation, blood/body fluids and infectious diseases.

 

Education & Experience: Any combination of one of the following qualifications.

(1) CNA with at least 5 years hospital experience with Phlebotomy Certification, EKG Certification, or;

(2) Current EMT-I or Paramedic certification with 3 yrs. EMT experience or;

(3) Documented proof of at least 3 yr. of experience in a PCT role from an outside institution or;

(4) Completion of a Nursing Program. (Practical Nursing, Associate of Science Nursing or Bachelor of Science Nursing Program.)

 

Specific Requirements: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Must be knowledgeable and comfortable working with computers.

 

General Duties and Responsibilities include

· Provides patient care, assistance and handling under the direction and supervision of charge nurse, assigned nurse, or physician.

· Obtains blood specimen from peripheral intravenous devices (PIV) and terminates PIVs as directed.

· Inserts and removes IVs as needed.

DEPARTMENT: Nursing FLSA STATUS: NON- EXEMPT

POSITION REPORTS TO: Nurse Manager SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

CLASSIFIED/UNCLASSIFIED: Classified BARGAINING UNIT: SIU ALLIED HEALTH

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 2022 REVISION DATE: N/A

· Performs oral suctioning as necessary.

· Places leads to perform EKGs and initiates cardiac monitoring.

· Immediately identifies abnormal EKG rhythms and changes in rhythms and validates findings with assigned RN.

· Recognizes significant EKG events and immediately reports significant or life-threatening changes to RN.

· Identifies and communicates to RN changes in respiratory status on cardiac monitor, increase/decrease respiratory rate, decreased SPO2, and apnea.

· Recognizes, reports and seeks appropriate intervention for signs and symptoms of patient complications or changes in patient status.

· Initiates pulse oximetry and other routine measures as needed to assess and document all patient vital signs.

· Gathers information, documents or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints or physical symptoms to licensed nurses.

· Provides basic life support when necessary.

· Provides oxygen therapy as ordered.

· Inserts and discontinues urinary catheters.

· Conducts blood glucose monitoring.

· Performs phlebotomy as needed.

· Collects specimens, such as urine, feces or sputum; transports specimens to lab.

· Assists in suturing and performs minor dressings; applies clean dressings, slings, stockings or support bandages under direction of nurse or physician; performs bandaging and splinting upon direction of emergency room physician.

· Assist with Wound Care.

· Assists in crutch-walking, ice or heat application.

· Responds to patient call bells.

· Transports patients to nursing units or diagnostic procedures.

· Checks to determine that equipment is clean and operational.

· Communicates appropriate patient information and adheres to policies and privacy rules of Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and HIPAA regarding the dissemination of patient information.

· Performs all other duties as assigned.

 

Specialty Assignment Duties and Responsibilities

 

I. Behavioral Health Services

· Assist with medication administration for behavioral health patient.

· Assist RN while drawing blood or obtaining specimens from behavioral health patient.

· Assist with routine hygiene and day to day ADLs of behavioral health patient.

· Assist RN in removing, documenting, logging of patient belongings.

· Assist with de-escalation, restraint, and/or seclusion of behavioral health patient.

· Monitor patients in seclusion and/or suicide watch per JFL policy.

· Collaborate with RN and Security to ensure safe environment for patient(s) and staff members in the Behavioral Health Area.

 

II. Women’s Services

· Assists room team members in the preparation of the operative area of patients by adjusting lights and equipment as directed, and passing instruments, sponges and sutures to the surgeon or surgical assistants.

· Arranges sterile set up for deliveries and assists in the positioning of patient for delivery or surgical procedures to be performed.

· Counts sponges, needles, and instruments used during operation. Assists in the clean-up of delivery room following surgery by disposing of used linen, gloves, instruments, utensils, equipment or waste.

· Operates the autoclave in preparing instruments, supplies and equipment to be used in operating procedures, as well as the wastes spill.

· Assists with the preparation of operative specimens by placing in preservative solution and delivering to laboratory.

· Transports patient form ward to delivery room, from the stretcher to the stretcher table and from the operating room to the recovery room. 6. Performs other related duties.

 

III. Telemetry Services

· Oversees heart monitoring on a continuous basis

· Report noteworthy changes in heart rate to nursing staff

· Ensure accurate readings and promptly report irregularities

· Able to efficiently perform EKG

· Perform initial set up upon admission and assess the need to change attachments accordingly

· Troubleshoot potential equipment problems

· Communicate telemetry equipment failures and initiate appropriate measures to resolve them immediately

· Obtain/print, read, and document rhythm strips every two hours and as needed per patient

· Maintain clean monitors and telemetry station

· Admit patient to the telemetry monitor