Patient Care Tech (PCT) - Discharge Resource Center (DRC) - Days

The Discharge Resource Unit (DRU) operates Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and supports safe, timely patient discharges to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or home. By coordinating transport and transitions of care, the DRU helps improve hospital throughput and alleviate inpatient capacity.

The Patient Care Technician provides direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and the plan of care under the direction of the RN or licensed independent practitioner.

Essential Job functions:

• Provide safe and direct care to patients in their assigned unit making age-appropriate adjustments as needed.  Monitor patients’ conditions and provide updates to the health care team. 

• Provide direct and indirect care to patients with and without medical/surgical complications to meet their comfort, personal hygiene and safety needs.

• Provide care in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and deliver per VCUHS Nursing and Hospital policy and procedure.

• Ensure assigned clinical location is maintained as a safe, clean, stocked environment to facilitate meeting patient needs and unit/healthcare team functioning.

• Maintain supplies, educational material, equipment, sterilization of supplies, instruments and the environment to promote quality, safe patient care outcomes (as applicable).

• Contribute to the patient experience by accurately identifying the patient, by observing safety goals and reporting to a licensed independent practitioner, manager and/or Registered Nurses regarding the patient’s physical and mental responses to the plan of care or any incident posing harm or threat to a patient.

• Obtain and record initial and ongoing patient information throughout the cycle of care, including admissions data, vital signs, height and weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake and output, calorie counts, and other patient information as outlined by VCUHS policy.

• Obtain or assist in the collection of specimens for diagnostic or waived tests.

• Attend all mandatory in-services and trainings and adhere to online training requirements.

• Ensure patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

• Establish and maintain courteous and effective rapport with patients, visitors, co-workers, and other members of health care team; demonstrate sensitivity and awareness to needs of patients, visitors and co-workers and respond promptly to verbal and/or written instructions.

• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Patient Population:

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.

Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Neonates (0-4 weeks), Infant (1-12 months), Pediatrics (1-12 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adults (18-64 years), Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Employment Qualifications:

Required Education:   

High School Degree or equivalent

Preferred Education:
Certified Nursing Assistant

Licensure/Certification Required:

AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent              

Licensure/Certification Preferred:  N/A

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Certification/Completion of one of the following:

• Certified Nursing Assistant

• Medical Assistant

• Emergency Medical Technician

• Military Corpsmen/Medic

• Nursing Aide Training Program

• Experience within a healthcare environment

OR

Completion of foundations/ clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of patient data collection and documentation (i.e. vital signs, intake/output, change in patient condition)

• Knowledge of basic hygiene and activities of daily living care

• Ability to assist with feeding, hydration, and nutrition

• Ability to assist with ambulation and patient mobility

• Ability to provide safe, compassionate care

• Accountability for completion of assigned tasks

• Ability to wear personal protective equipment as needed

At VCU Health, we are proud to be a leading academic medical center known for innovation, collaboration, and community impact. As part of our team, you’ll benefit from:

• Competitive compensation with shift differentials
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans
• Generous paid time off (PTO) with paid holidays
• Retirement savings plans with employer matching contributions
• Tuition assistance and education benefits
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Employee wellness programs and mental health support
• A diverse, inclusive, and mission-driven workplace culture

 

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.