Patient Care Technician, Intermediate Care

Company Description

University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH) offers the residents of northeastern Maryland an unparalleled combination of clinical expertise, leading-edge technology, and an exceptional patient experience.
A community-based, integrated, non-profit health system, our vision is to become the preferred, integrated health system creating the healthiest community in Maryland. We are dedicated to maintaining and improving the health of the people in our community through an integrated health delivery system that provides high quality care to all. Our commitment to service excellence is evident through a broad range of health care services, technologies and facilities. We work collaboratively with our community and other health organizations to serve as a resource for health promotion and education.
Today, UM UCH is the leading health care system and second largest private employer in Harford County. Our 3,500 team members and over 650 medical staff physicians serve residents of Harford County, eastern Baltimore County, and western Cecil County.

University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health owns and operates:
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (UM AMC), Aberdeen, MD
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (UM UCMC), Bel Air, MD
The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, Bel Air, MD
The Patricia D. and M. Scot Kaufman Cancer Center, Bel Air, MD
The Senator Bob Hooper House, Forest Hill, MD

Job Description

Patient Care Technician (PCT), Full time, Nights, Up to $2,000 Sign-On Bonus depending on years of experience! 1 yr or less = $1000.00 sign-on bonus or 1 yr plus = $2000.00 sign-on bonus; both w/a 1-year work commitment.

Our Patient Care Technicians work under the direction/delegation of registered nurses in accordance with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Plan (ITP) to provide medical and psychiatric care to a population of acutely ill adult psychiatric patients who range from 18 years of age to geriatric. Responsibilities include but are not limited to managing vital signs and finger sticks, coordinating activities of daily living, facilitating community meeting and day review, maintaining an organized and clean environment of care, and providing safety-rounding support. Also, possess the ability to assist the nursing team with de-escalation and management of disruptive behaviors in order to maintain a therapeutic milieu.

Assists in providing patient care and treatment in accordance with the Division of Nursing Standards. Maintains in the maintenance of a safe and clean environment, assists the patient care team to provide various patient care activities and maintains customer service focus essential for smooth operation. 

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Performs testing and manages the care of the patient based on results achieved and clinical findings.
• Records patient care along the continuum, including activities of daily living (ADLs): feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and transferring.
• Completes, documents and reports patient vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation and reported pain level).
• Assists in admission, transfer and discharge of patients.
• Participates in cost effective strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
• Promotes patient safety including fall prevention. Ensures the safety of the clinical environment for patients, visitors, and other staff members.
• Maintains order and appearance of patient rooms and work area. Maintains patient care supplies and linen.
• Provides post-mortem care.
• Collaborate with members of the health care team to carry out the plan of care, including reporting observed changes in patients’ condition.
• Ensure patient comfort relative to their pain status.
• Measures and documents of patient urinary and stool output. Documents calorie count. Measures and documents patient weight.
• Assists with indwelling urinary catheter care. Applies, maintains and removes external urinary catheter devices. Performs bladder scans, measures post void residuals and documents. Inserts both intermittent and indwelling catheters, documenting volume output.
• Conducts blood glucose monitoring.
• Performs venipuncture for drawing blood samples and establishes IV access.
• Performs nasal swabs. 
• Gathers equipment required and initiates placement IV for the patient as directed by the registered nurse.
• Sets up and operates multiple lead EKG machines; attaches and removes EKG leads; runs a rhythm strip.
• Assists with enteral tube feedings via nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes, as supervised by licensed nurse.
• Performs chest physical/physiotherapy, tracheal suctioning, tracheostomy care and incentive spirometry treatments as delegated and supervised by the registered nurse responsible 
• Assists with simple dressing changes, such as routine dressings to stage one and two wounds, surgical incisions, and peripheral IV sites after assessment by a Registered Nurse. Provides wound care to promote healing and maintain structural integrity of the skin. Performs skin care and hygiene and reports impaired skin integrity and/or wound impairment. Assists with appropriate strategies and/or treatment measures to provide wound care.
• Participate in hourly patient rounding in collaboration with the health care team: Responds to patient triggered alarms, including call light, chair alarm, bed alarm, tele-sitter alarm, etc.
• Complies with the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals within scope of practice.
• Detects, reports, and acts to avoid or correct safety risks.  Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority. 
• Provides professional vigilance to assigned patients, including when assigned as a patient safety companion.
• Incorporates safe lifting techniques and body mechanics in daily practice.         
• Improves patient flow and prevents care delays.
• Walking, standing, sitting and lifting involved.  Must be able to lift 50lbs. at a minimum.  Good physical and mental health.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals within scope of practice.
• Detects, reports, and acts to avoid or correct safety risks.  Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority. 
• Provides professional vigilance to assigned patients, including when assigned as a patient safety companion.
• Incorporates safe lifting techniques and body mechanics in daily practice.         
• Improves patient flow and prevents care delays.
• Walking, standing, sitting and lifting involved.  Must be able to lift 50lbs. at a minimum.  Good physical and mental health.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities:

• Read, write and comprehend medical terminology.
• Effectively convey verbal and written information.
• Follow directions; d) perform simple mathematical calculations correctly.
• Respond to emergency situations appropriately.
• Adapt hours of availability to variable and changing needs of the hospital, including all shifts.
• Effectively function as a member of a collaborative team.
• Organize and manage time effectively, setting appropriate priorities.
• Comply with OSHA standards.
• Understands and respects the importance of patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Develops and promotes a constructive/positive atmosphere within the work area by demonstrating the ability to maintain cooperation with and assist fellow health team members, physicians, intra and inter-departments, hospital and nursing administration.

Qualifications

Education & Training:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Current Maryland state certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) required.   
• No previous experience required; previous direct patient care experience in a health care facility preferred
• Current BLS required.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation:

• Full-Time; Days - (7a-7:30p)
• Pay Range: $17.17-$24.76/hr.
• Other Compensation (if applicable): Shift Differential
• Up to a $2000.00 Sign-on Bonus with a 1-year work commitment
• Some restrictions may apply
• Review the 2024-2025 UMMS Benefits Guide
• Up to a $2000.00 Sign-on Bonus with a 1-year work commitment
• Some restrictions may apply

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