Patient Care Technician (Progressive Care Unit)

Overview

Progressive Care (PCU) 5 North, located within CentraState Medical Center, offers an exciting opportunity for nurses seeking to begin or advance their careers in a fast-paced, cardiac-focused environment. This unit specializes in the care of patients with complex medical conditions requiring close monitoring and timely intervention. The patient population includes individuals experiencing heart failure, cardiac dysrhythmias, myocardial infarction, pre- and post-operative pacemaker management, pericarditis, chest tube care, and a range of acute and chronic respiratory illnesses. PCU 5 North also manages non-titratable intravenous medications for cardiac dysrhythmias, including IV Cardizem and Amiodarone. The unit is known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and strong culture of support. With seasoned leadership, a high-retention orientation program, and generous ancillary support — including 24/7 clinical leaders, transport RNs, monitor technicians, mobile phlebotomists, and secretarial coverage — staff are empowered to focus on delivering exceptional care. Flexible self-scheduling, every-third-weekend rotations supported by Baylor RNs, and opportunities for critical care cross-training further enhance the appeal of this collaborative and growth-oriented environment.

Progressive Care (PCU) 5 North has an employment opportunity available for a Patient Care Technician (PCT). The PCT provides skilled technical assistance to licensed professionals by performing assigned duties and services required to deliver quality patient care. Follows established standards, Joint Commission, and CSHS policies and procedures. A patient focused care model utilizing a multidisciplinary approach is used as the method to deliver care in the department.

Responsibilities

• Provides considerate respectful care focused upon the patient's individual need.
• Accurately checks exterior of code cart each shift.
• Affirms the patient's right to make decisions regarding his/her medical care, including the decision to discontinue treatment, to the extent permitted by law.
• Collects and labels specimens without error.
• Accurately performs bedside glucose monitoring, and calibration of Accucheck and enters data.
• Correctly performs all scheduled and assigned tasks while continually observing patient needs.
• Retrieves blood from the Blood Bank.
• Verbalizes/performs understanding of 1:1 precautions and documents appropriately.
• Performs post mortem care.
• Follows CentraState policy regarding restraint application, documentation and observation.
• Always answers patient call lights in a timely manner.
• Provides basic nursing care, including partial and/or complete direct personal hygienic care to patients (i.e.: bathing, feeding, diversional activity) and assists patients with activities of daily living.
• Properly performs electrocardiograms.
• Provides partial and/or complete direct personal hygienic care to patients.
• Accurately performs simple wound care and ostomy care.
• Accurately collects and documents patient data (TPR, I&O, specimen collection, height and weight) utilizing learned technical skills under the direction of the RN. Accurately documents patient data and comfort rounds in Wellsoft system.
• Correctly makes occupied and unoccupied beds.
• Notifies nurse immediately for patient's complaints of pain/discomfort and any observed change in condition. Provides appropriate interventions for pain as directed by nurse and reports outcomes.
• Assists with the elimination needs of the patient while providing privacy and dignity.
• Performs rounding as per guidelines.
• Correctly feeds patients.
• Performs tasks to maintain patient mobility.
• Accurately maintains feeding tubes.
• Accurately performs incentive spirometry and pulse oximetry.
• Accurately obtains and documents temperatures, pulses, respirations and blood pressure.
• Accurately measures and documents intake and output.
• Reports patient intake and output to nurse.
• Supports cost containment through efficient use of equipment, supplies and other pertinent resources.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Work Experience:
  • One year nursing assistant healthcare experience required OR
  • Successful completion of an approved CNA or PCT training course required OR
  • Currently enrolled in a degreed nursing program AND completed an introductory nursing course such as Nursing 101 or equivalent OR completed a semester of a school sponsored clinical rotation in an acute setting.
• CPR certification required.
• Glucose certifications are provided by CentraState during orientation.
• Strong professional,