Patient Care Technician

Job Duties

• Provide patient care under the direction of nursing staff being certain to only perform tasks in which training and/or competency has been validated.
• Collect, monitor, and document pertinent data relating to patient functioning and care to include but not limited to: intake and output, weight, temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. Recognizes and immediately reports values outside normal parameters to the nurse.
• Perform patient rounding being sure to report any changes in a patient's condition or behavior immediately to the nurse. Seeks assistance and guidance as needed to ensure that patient care is delivered in a safe, high quality and effective manner at all times.
• Assess, identify, and monitor environmental, patient, and the patient's family needs in a respectful, positive, and timely manner to achieve satisfaction.
• Perform basic hygiene care in accordance with the Department of Nursing policies, procedures and unit standards to include but not limited to pericare, oral care, daily hygiene, linen changes, skin changes, and foley care.
• Transfer and transport patients in accordance with policies and procedures with specific consideration to age-specific and safety needs.
• Resolve patient concerns by initiating service recovery and immediately escalating patient, family, visitors and staff concerns through the chain of command.
• Build meaning and sustainable relationships of trust through open and interactive communication with members of the healthcare team.
• Prepare, update, and disseminate reports at the change of shift and when changes are noted in the patient's condition.
• Support the administrative and clinical operations of assigned practice environment.
• Orient new staff and students to work areas. Collaborates with other nursing staff and hospital employees to create an environment that is conducive to the retention of qualified personnel.
• Utilize downtime to assist others and/or to provide additional supportive measures to patients and/or patients' families within the respective patient care environment. Completes other duties as assigned. Performs in the role of sitter as needed, documents as required.
• Maintain current compliance with ongoing annual education requirements (modules, classes and competencies).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Education
  High School Diploma or equivalent
   

• Experience
  Must be able to read, write and communicate in English. Familiarity with medical terminology. Working knowledge of basic computer software skills.
  1 year acute care inpatient hospital experience in the role preferred or
  A certified nursing assistant certificate and experience in the role or
  completed the PCT residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center or
  completed Nursing Fundamentals and skills course in nursing school.
   

• Licenses and Certifications
  (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) required.
  Must achieve validation of required core competencies and training within 6 months of employment. within 180 Days
   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Work requires ability to read, write, and perform mathematical calculations.
• Work requires contact with physicians, residents, fellows, allied health personnel, and other medical and non-medical office personnel to coordinate necessary information and to provide optimal level of patient care.
• Work requires good interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills.
• Work requires telephone skills when in contact with patients, referring physicians, and pharmaceutical representatives outside of university, vendors, and third party payees.

• Physical Demands
  Bending/Leaning Over
  Crouching/Kneeling/Stooping
  Lifting
  Pulling
  Pushing
  Standing
  Stooping
  Talking
  Walking
   

• Working Conditions
  Hazards
  Hospital Setting
  May be exposed to body fluids and infectious diseases
   

• P-Problem Solving: To achieve excellence in patient care and service, all employees are expected to take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the patient.
• A-Ability, Attitude and Appearance: In keeping with a professional healthcare environment, all employees are expected to have the ability to perform their jobs and to appear and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner.
• C-Communications and Compassion: It is our goal that all our communications are clear, courteous, timely, and delivered with compassion, respect and appropriate confidentiality.
• T-Teamwork: In our medical environment, our patients regard every employee they encounter as a member of the Southwestern Medical Center team. Our goal is to individually work hard to contribute to our team, support our co-workers, and to achieve not only excellent patient care and service, but also a satisfying, caring environment for each other.