Patient Care Tech

About the Role

Functions as a member of the patient-centered care team to provide direct patient care activities under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or medical staff/providers. Assists nursing and medical staff with procedures and/or tests and patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Performs specific care activities such as specimen collection, phlebotomy, intravenous (IV) catheter insertion, electrocardiography (EKG), and documentation in the health record.

Key Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality and safety standards, and SPIRIT Values. Complies with governmental regulations and accreditation standards.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal hygiene including bathing, mouth care, dressing, skin care, positioning, feeding, ambulation, toileting, and range of motion activities.
• Assists with patient mobilization and rehabilitation, use of crutches and walkers, and transfer/transport of patients in wheelchairs and stretchers.
• Collects specimens (e.g., blood, urine, stool); performs venipuncture/phlebotomy; obtains EKGs; applies electrodes and initiates physiologic monitoring equipment.
• Inserts intravenous (IV) catheters, changes IV sites and dressings, and performs routine inspection of IV sites.
• Assists in the measurement and documentation of patient's intake and output (I&O).
• Accurately takes and records patient's vital signs, height and weight, pulse oximetry, point of care and waived testing (i.e., finger sticks for glucose monitoring/Accucheck, urine dipstick, hemoccult), and other pertinent data or information in the patient's health record.
• Performs routine sterile/non-sterile treatments/activities inclusive of, but not limited to: Foley Catheter insertion, removal, and care; suctioning; simple dressing changes and wound care; turning and positioning; postmortem care and transportation of body to the morgue; maintenance of drainage tubes; set-up and care of oxygen equipment; shave preps; and assistance in the application, maintenance, and removal of traction, casts, splints, slings, TED and SCD supports, and other immobilization equipment.
• Maintains the comfort, privacy, confidentiality, and dignity of each patient in the delivery of services.
• Performs patient observation duty including 1:1 observation and application of restraints.
• Prepares patients to be seen by providers.
• Assists providers and registered nurses in patient examinations and procedures.
• Rounds on all assigned patients based on established standards (e.g., purposeful hourly rounding).
• Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients/families, including changes in the patient's condition, to the registered nurse and other care team members as necessary.
• Ensures complete hand-off to oncoming shift and obtains full hand-off from outgoing shift.
• Initiates and assists in CPR when indicated.
• Participates in patient/family teaching as directed and responds to questions from patients, families, and visitors in a prompt, courteous, and respectful manner, referring them to appropriate personnel if necessary.
• Maintains the cleanliness and safety of patient rooms/environment by distributing and changing linen/towels, removing used meal trays, checking bed siderails and safety restraints, etc.
• Assists with environmental services support such as linen management, trash removal, and cleaning patient rooms as needed.
• Transports and/or escorts patients during discharges, transfers, and/or medical appointments.
• Completes errands such as delivering specimens to the laboratory, equipment, and supplies, etc., as required.
• Receives and stocks equipment and supplies and maintains orderly supply and utility rooms.
• Attends staff meetings, ongoing educational offerings, and participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Basic math knowledge
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Basic computer skills (preferred)

Qualifications

• Education
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• OR Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant program an experienced MWHC nursing assistant or the equivalent required.
• OR Completion of a national Registered Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic program/course with at least six months or more experience as an EMT, CCT, or EMTP required.
• OR Nursing Student (RN Program) with completion of at least one year of clinical rotation or a graduate of an approved nursing program (LPN or RN).
• Experience
• Prior work experience not required but completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic (EMT/EMTP), Critical Care Technician (CCT), or Student Nurse required.
• Licenses and Certifications
• CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant in the District of Columbia or relevant jurisdiction required.
• Any licensure as indicated by above qualifications required.
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required.
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.