Patient Care Tech/ Unit Clerk - Adult Medical Surgical 900 - Days

SUMMARY:

This position is a hybrid role transitioning between a Patient Care Technician and a Unit Clerk.  As a Patient Care Technician responsible for direct patient care services on a specific unit under the supervision of an RN or Case Manager. Provides personal care and assists with the implementation of selected portions of a care plan including respiratory services, rehabilitation services, and phlebotomy under the supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse.  As a Unit Clerk responsible for the coordination of clerical and hospital functions on assigned patient care or technical unit.  Receives admitted patients, initiates patient files, takes action on doctors’ orders, processes discharges, transfers and expirations, and prepares hospital reports.  Provides general staff support by assisting with patient scheduling and/or preparation, standard computer inquiries, and other routine tasks.  Maintains supply levels for units and reports unit needs for housekeeping, hospitality and maintenance services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Patient Care Technician:

Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times, including patient information, proprietary information and personnel information.

Formulates and implements accurate and timely care.

Takes care of the body after death.

Assists patients with activities of daily living.

Takes vital signs, weighs patients, and collects routine urine specimens; cleans catch specimens, stool specimens, and sputum specimens.

Maintains patient safety and infection control standards; promotes a safe therapeutic environment that allows for the delivery of high quality patient care.

Cleans and prepares rooms between procedures and discharges; monitors and restocks supplies.

Performs dressing changes and treatments using aseptic technique; opens sterile supplies and sets up for procedures.

Discontinues IV lines and performs EKGs.

Documents and reports outcome of patient care activities; charts observations and vital signs on assigned patients in legible, accurate, and appropriate format following hospital and unit procedures.

Checks equipment, supplies and accessories on a regular basis; notifies appropriate personnel of equipment malfunctions and repairs needed.

Participates in the orientation of new program personnel and in the ongoing in-service education of the team.

Performs finger sticks.

Unit Clerk:

Exhibits excellence in customer service through appropriate attitude and interaction with all patients, visitors and staff.

Performs receptionist duties for patient care or technical area; receives, initiates, and directs telephone calls and messages.

Assists visitors, staff, and patients by providing directions to hospital locations or calling for an escort when necessary. 

Participates in quality initiatives.

Operates a personal computer, calculator, FAX machine, copy machine, scanner and related office machinery.

Receives and dispatches communications, via phone, intercom, Vocera, fax and mail.

Receives messages, flowers, newspapers, and other items and notifies appropriate personnel; verifies that patient has not been discharged and returns flower deliveries for discharged patients; delivers or arranges for the delivery of items to patients and appropriate personnel.

Facilitates radiological procedures in accordance with protocol and assists patients and radiology staff in accordance with established patient care protocols.

May also serve as an instructor to other Unit Clerks; provides orientation and guidance as needed and assists in orientation of other department personnel.

Processes and maintains records of admissions, transfers, discharges, and deaths.

Orders supplies and services as directed.

Schedules appointments, surgeries, lab collections and/or other procedures; notifies patients, patient family, or appropriate departments of dates, times, or any changes.

Archives and copies image data as requested and transfers images to computer applications.

Assists with the transport of patients when necessary.

Assists clinical staff as needed.

Adheres to and supports team members in exhibiting TMCH values of integrity, community, compassion, and dedication. 

Adheres to TMC organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards. 

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: High school diploma or general education degree (GED), or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. 

EXPERIENCE: Six (6) months of patient care experience, preferably in an acute care setting; or no experience if completed one semester of clinicals in an accredited A.D.N. nursing program, or completed two semesters of clinicals in an accredited BSN nursing program, or completed an EMT program, or completed an Medical Assistant (MA) program, or completed a Patient Care Tech (PCT) program, or completed a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.  Additional certifications may be required per department.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

• Knowledge of patient care protocols and practices.
• Knowledge of general patient care practice, methods and regulations.
• Knowledge of patient privacy regulations.
• Knowledge of appropriate customer service interaction skills as it relates to greeting and assisting by phone or in person.
• Skill in attending to patients with care and attention to needs.
• Skill in assisting with more complex patient care programs.
• Skill in multi-tasking and setting priorities so the most critical are performed first
• Ability to recognize a patient in distress and follow directions to get assistance.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
• Ability to speak effectively in front of doctors, nurses, staff and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. 
• Applicants must have basic computer familiarity and experience and the ability to operate office equipment, calculator, FAX machine, copy machine, scanner and changing technology in performing assigned duties.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.