Patient Care Technician
This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by providing safe and effective patient care by performing tasks and support functions under the supervision of a Licensed Nurse. Patient Care Technicians may fulfill an expanded role by performing additional tasks and responsibilities as delegated by their department.
Job Duties:
Ensure that accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families, and co-workers at hand offs and other times as needed.
Take all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information in order to allow for the best possible patient outcome
Provide safe and effective patient care under the supervision of the licensed nurse by performing tasks and support functions as delegated by department
Observe and communicate to the licensed nurse any changes in patient condition and pertinent information regarding the needs of the patient and/or significant others
Demonstrate effective and age-appropriate communication as well as the ability to understand the needs of the patient including non-verbal communication, fears, anxieties and language/cultural barriers
Maintains accurate and real time documentation of patient care provided
Assures patient privacy by knocking on doors, closing curtains and protecting patient information
Responds within scope of practice to emergencies and life-threatening conditions
Demonstrates support for changes in practice designed to improve performance.
Organize and prioritize daily work, taking into account the needs of patients, families and other health care workers
Maintain cleanliness and organization of patient rooms and department work areas
Assist in identifying quality improvement opportunities and demonstrate support for changes in practice designed to improve performance
Ability to prioritize tasks, identify needs for changes in priorities and takes the initiative to recommend and implement changes in concert with their supervisor.
Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.
Department Specific Duties:
Digestive Health Center:
Accurately performs vital signs and blood sugars
Removes foleys and IV's per protocol
Applies and removes telemetry to patients per protocol
If cross trained to Monitor tech:
Accurately completes documentation of telemetry strips on flowsheet
Accurately reads and measures telemetry strips every 4 hours
Acknowledges telemetry changes in a timely manner and notifies RN
Completes inventory control log accurately
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Role Models exemplary customer service skills including verbal and non-verbal skills and proper phone etiquette
Creates a welcoming environment for all healthcare team members.
Demonstrates the ability to provide safe and effective patient care
Must have the ability to remain focused in stressful situations and perform multiple tasks quickly.
Professional Experience:
Previous Patient Care Tech or Certified Nursing Assistant experience preferred
Education:
High School diploma or equivalent preferred
In addition, ONE of the following is preferred:
completion of a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) or Health Support Professional program
a minimum of 2 years in a baccalaureate program
one year in an Associate's Degree in Nursing program
comparable education, training and experience in the absence of successful completion of a CNA or Health Support Professional program
Licensure, Certification, Registration:
Current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support, in accordance with the American Heart Association required.
Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse and Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required. Employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date.
Pay Rate Type: Hourly
Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years. Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.