Are you a nursing student interested in gaining clinical experience to complement your education? If you're passionate about patient care and looking for an opportunity to be further immersed in the hospital and offers plenty of room for growth, we invite you to explore this opportunity today!

UPMC Altoona is looking for a casual Patient Care Technician to support T12 Cardiology (Medical Progressive Care)!

*Candidates will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on experience (Nursing Assistant, Nursing Student or Patient Care Technician, Nursing Student).

The Patient Care Technician provides routine patient care and supports the department services in accordance with established policies and procedures and may be directed by the nurse or physician to assure that the highest degree of quality patient care can be maintained at all times.

Responsibilities:

Department Support and Communication

• Suggest and implement department improvements.

• Handle assignments responsibly and view challenges as opportunities.

• Build respectful, professional relationships with colleagues and other departments.

• Contribute to unit tasks like responding to call lights, answering phones, transporting patients, and passing meal trays.

Core Patient Care Tasks

• Assist with daily living activities (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning/repositioning).

• Perform vital point-of-care tasks (vitals, blood glucose checks, I&O tracking, telemetry monitor management, and HAC/PSI prevention).

• Support procedures: simple dressings, specimen collection, bladder scans, and restraint application/removal.

Advanced Skills

• Master at least one advanced skill: phlebotomy, peripheral IV removal, Foley catheter removal, 12-lead EKG, NG tube clamping/removal, or basic arrhythmia monitoring.

Equipment and Documentation

• Report equipment issues promptly.

• Accurately document patient information in medical records.

• Maintain timely, productive work habits and complete clerical tasks as needed.

Team Collaboration and Learning

• Communicate clearly and effectively within the healthcare team.

• Respect cultural diversity and ensure a safe workplace for all.

• Seek feedback, identify learning opportunities, and participate in self-reviews.

• Continuously improve skills and knowledge with the support of the unit director.

Policies and Procedures

• Follow all patient care and hospital safety policies, including standard precautions.

• Strictly adhere to hospital protocols, including those for patient restraints.

Patient Care Technician, NS Requirements:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

• Enrollment in a Nursing Program with:

• a) 1 year of general healthcare experience or

• b) 6 months experience as UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire/transfer/promotion or

• c) Completion of at least 1 nursing program clinical rotation required

• Successful completion of UPMC Patient Care Technician class upon hire

• Successful completion of basic information system training

• Microcomputer experience preferred

• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing

• Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medical to the nurse.

Nursing Assistant, NS Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Successful completion of UPMC nursing assistant or EIC training program

• Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.

• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred.

• Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire ACLS preferred

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran