Patient Care Technician I – Days – T11 Trauma

Are you looking for an entry level patient care support opportunity to start and grow a rewarding healthcare career? UPMC Altoona is seeking a full time Patient Care Technician to support our T11 Trauma unit on day shifts with rotation!

Tower 11 is a 44 bed, orthopedic, trauma, neurological, medical surgical monitored unit, serving the adult population. We are the unit of choice for patients with orthopedic surgeries, neurological surgeries, fractures, trauma, neurological disorders and medical cases. We are trained in caring for complex fractures and post-operative care of joint replacements.  

What makes Tower 11 a special place to work? We have an amazing team of Nurses, Patient Care Technicians, Physical Therapists, Physicians, and Case Management, who collaborate to provide exceptional patient care to our diverse patient population.

As a Patient Care Technician with UPMC, you’ll have a meaningful impact in the care of our patients every day. We offer an eight-day training course for qualified entry level candidates to learn and demonstrate the skills needed to be a successful Patient Care Technician!

Why choose a PCT role with UPMC Altoona?

• Newly competitive wages & shift differential, including a night shift/weekend shift program to earn additional money
• An incomparable benefit package (found to be 15% higher in value than other healthcare employers in our market!)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), plus seven paid holidays each year
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at any accredited institution, available to employees and their dependents

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate awareness of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department.
• Comply with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions and understand policies and procedures for blood borne pathogen exposure.
• Assure equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department.
• Establish appropriate and effective communication strategies.
• Respond within the scope of the nursing assistant role to emergent situations.
• Take action to improve knowledge, skills and performance.
• Provide feedback to the RN regarding patient care and report changes in patient status.
• Strictly adhere to all policies and practices relative to patient care and hospital related information.
• Assume responsibility for assignment and views problems as challenges.
• Identify and communicates learning needs to the unit director.
• Establish professional and respectful interpersonal relationships.
• Maintain an environment conducive to patient safety and recovery including, but not limited to, completing safety checks, keeping the department and patient rooms clean and organized, cleaning department specific equipment, changing bed linens, emptying linen hampers, keeping hallways clear of equipment and returning equipment.
• Request assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed. Participate in self-review as requested by the unit director.
• Suggest and support changes within the department.
• Contribute to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays and transporting patients.
• Provide direct patient care as directed by the RN including all activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting and ambulating patients.
• Acquire and distribute supplies and equipment to facilitate patient care delivery including, but not limited to, performing messenger functions, ordering, charging/crediting supplies, setting up patient care equipment within the scope of the nursing assistant position and stocking patient rooms and unit supply areas.
• Perform routine tests such as blood glucose monitoring, patient weights, vital signs and I&Os.
• Constructively receive feedback and direction.
• Provide companionship/supervision one in one with patients as required.
• Deliver patient nourishments, fill water pitchers and distribute patient mail.
• May apply, monitor and remove patient restraints as per physician or hospital protocol. Provide diversion activities to reduce or prevent use of restraints.
• Document in the medical record according to established procedures.