Patient Care Tech - Night Shift

Patient Care Technician - Night Shift - 7pm - 7am

The Patient Care Technician is a non-licensed individual who assists in rendering care to patients.

Education/Experience:

Ability to read and write.

Experience as a PCT or CNA within the last three years.

Licensure/Certification:

Certification as a Nursing Assistant preferred.

BCLS Certification required within first month of employment.

Provides care to patients of the following ages:

Infants (Newborn to One Year) Adolescent (Ten to 18 Years)

Toddlers (Two to Four Years) Adult (19 to 69 Years)

Child (Five to Nine Years) Geriatric (70 and Above)

Duties & Responsibilities

• Shaves patients as needed.
• Performs mouth and hair care.
• Performs bath and back care to include partial or complete baths and showers.
• Performs morning (pre-breakfast) and evening care to include preparation for sleep and rest.
• Changes bed linens as needed.
• Assists in food service: serves trays, assists in feeding patients, feeds if necessary, picks up trays and records food intake, serves interval nourishments.
• Serves ice and fresh water and maintains a clean environment.
• Recognizes and observes NPO signs or other restrictions on fluid intake, e.g.: no hot or ice liquids.
• Accurately records carbohydrate intake for patients on a carbohydrate-monitored diet.
• Maintains accurate record of intake and output.
• Performs hourly rounding and reports pertinent findings to the nurse.
• Assists in use of bedpan, bedside commode, urinal and/or assists to bathroom.
• Checks and records frequency of voiding and bowel elimination.
• Describes urinary output: color, odor, frequency and amount.
• Describes stools: color, consistency, frequency.
• Administers enemas.
• Demonstrates knowledge of body mechanics.
• Remains aware of patients placed on limited motion.
• Assists patient with progressive activity: dangle, stand by bed, sit in chair and walk.
• Turns patients with limited mobility.
• Provides skin care.
• Assesses for and reports presence of pressure ulcers.
• Turns and positions postoperative patients; encourages coughing and deep breathing.
• Transports patients to specified areas by wheelchair or stretcher.
• Assists patient in and out of bed.
• Assists with ambulation.
• Demonstrates proper use of patient handling equipment.
• Maintains certification to perform blood glucose testing.
• Uses two patient identifiers prior to performing Blood Glucose test.
• Adheres to scheduled timing for testing per policy.
• Reports results to nurse.
• Checks and records vital signs: blood pressure, TPR and oxygen saturation.
• Weighs patient as indicated.
• Specimen collection: urine, stool, sputum, etc.
• Applies warm and cool applications.
• Applies tucks.
• Applies AE hose, SCD hose and CPM machine.
• Removes AE hose daily for skin care.
• Use of restraints.
• Cares for patient in casts and traction.
• Assists in patient discharge.
• Assists with postmortem care.
• Administers emergency resuscitation of patients in cardiac arrest.
• Performs oro-pharyngeal suction.
• Confirms two patient identifiers when collecting specimens.
• Labels all specimens at bedside.
• Implements and maintains standard or high fall risk precautions as indicated.
• Provides necessary equipment at patient's bedside.
• Insures clean and safe surrounding.
• Adjusts side rails according to established policy.
• Collects and disposes of trash as needed.
• Disposes of soiled and contaminated linens according to policy.
• Inventories and maintains supplies and equipment.
• Reports signs, symptoms and concerns made by the patient to the nurse.
• Reports accidents or injuries sustained by self, patients or visitors.
• Refers visitors to the nurse in charge for information regarding patient's condition.
• Documents care according to policy.
• Performs "real-time" documentation.
• Gives concise hand-off report to oncoming shift.
• Utilizes universal precautions in all aspects of work practice.
• Complies with isolation procedures.
• Maintains knowledge of multi-drug resistant organisms and measures to be initiated.
• Reports staff deficits related to compliance with Infection Control practice (i.e. noncompliance with hand washing, isolation procedures, maximum barrier precautions.)
• Collects urine/sputum culture specimens timely.
• Maintains knowledge of hospital acquired infection rate and measures being implemented to decrease rate.
• Cleans equipment appropriately between patient and/or staff use.

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Infant (Newborn to One Year)

• Provides protective environment; does not leave unattended.
• Records data relative to patient's age.
• Involves parents in administration and planning of care.
• Recognizes age appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms.
• Determines and documents head circumference.
• Recognizes and reports signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to cues that indicate infant is overstressed and initiates appropriate soothing measures.
• Provides equipment specific to patient's age and size.

Toddlers (Two to Four Years)

• Records data relative to patient's age.
• Involves parents in administration and planning of care.
• Recognizes age appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms.
• Recognizes and reports signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Involves child in own care when possible.
• Recognizes comprehension level and verbal ability.
• Speaks and plays with the toddler to effectively reduce stress.
• Provides equipment specific to patient's age and size.

Child (Five to Nine Years)

• Records data relative to patient's age.
• Involves parents in administration and planning of care.
• Recognizes age appropriate behavior motor skills and physiological norms.
• Recognizes and reports signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Provides equipment specific to patient's age and size.
• Recognizes child's need to exercise some control.
• Provides for privacy.
• Keeps an explanation short, simple and logical using correct terminology.
• Recognizes the child's need for independence and potential for being attracted to dangerous situations.

Adolescent (Ten to 18 Years)

• Records data relative to patient's age.
• Recognizes age appropriate behavior, skills and physiological norms.
• Recognizes and reports signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Provides equipment specific to size of patient.
• Involves patient in decision making and planning for care.
• Allows for privacy and anticipates fear of embarrassment.
• Uses proper medical terminology.
• Allows adolescent to maintain control and realizes there may be resistance.
• Encourages questions regarding "fears".

Adult (19 to 69 Years)

• Records data relative to patient's age.
• Recognizes and records signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.