Patient Care Technician

About us: For the past 85 years, Stephens County Hospital has been a trusted name in the community, striving for excellence and delivering professional and compassionate care. Our dedicated staff of approximately 475 employees has a heart for healthcare and realizes how precious the gift of good health can be.

Stephens County Hospital is a 96-bed acute care hospital located in Toccoa, Georgia. We are nestled in the beautiful foothills of Northeast Georgia where our family-oriented community offers many cultural and civic opportunities as well as numerous outdoor activities. 

Stephens County Hospital is a member of the Georgia Hospital Association, American Hospital Association and Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. Stephens County Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s premier healthcare monitoring agency

 

Patient Care Technician -  Med/Surg - Full Time - Night Shift  

 

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 patient’s age and size.
• 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.
• Provides equipment specific to size of patient.
• Involves patient in planning of care.
• Recognizes anxiety regarding potential changes in lifestyle resulting from illness.
• Addresses patient appropriately.
• Explains procedures using correct terminology.
• Provides for patient’s privacy.
• Respects patient’s right to refuse treatment.

Geriatric (70 and Above)

 

• Recognizes and reports signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Records data relative to patient’s age.
• Provides equipment specific to size of patient.
• Recognizes anxiety regarding potential changes in lifestyle resulting from illness.
• Addresses patient appropriately.
• Explains procedures using correct terminology.
• Provides for patient privacy.
• Respects patient’s right to refuse treatment.
• Recognizes limiting conditions (vision, hearing, elimination, etc.).
• Implements skin integrity and/or risk to fall protocols.
• Provides for patient warmth due to decreased heat regulation.
• Allows patient to discuss thoughts and plans related to death and dying.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

• Ability to compile, code and categorize, or verify information/data
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situation
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, with excellent verbal and written communication skills

 

Non-Essential Functions

 

•          Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

 

 

Professional Requirements

 

•          Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.

•          Complete annual education requirements.

•          Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.

•          Report to work on time and as scheduled.

•          Wear identification while on duty.

•          Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.

•          Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.

•          Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.

•          Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.

• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services as needed.

 

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Must have the cognitive ability to perform in this role. Critical and executive level thinking is required

Must have strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy

Have near normal hearing – able to hear alarms/telephone/normal speaking voice/webinars

Have near normal vision – clarity of vision (both near and far) either corrected on non-corrected, ability to distinguish colors

Have good manual dexterity and eye-hand-foot coordination

Standing – continuously within the shift (67-100%)

Walking – continuously within the shift (67-100%)

Climbing – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

Bending/stooping – frequently within the shift (34-66%)

Twist at the waist – occasionally with the shift (1-33%)

Pushing/pulling 50+lbs without assistance – frequently within the shift (34-66%)

Pushing/pulling 100+lbs with assistance – frequently within the shift (34-66%)

Lift/carry – 20+lbs without assistance – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

Reaching above the shoulders – frequently within the shift (34-67%)

Lift/carry – 50+lbs with assistance – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

 

Stephens County Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition, carrier status or any other legally protected status.

marie.culver@stephenscountyhospital.com