Patient Care Technician (PCT), Float Pool
PRN / Rotating
University of Maryland Capital Region - Largo, MD

This is a PRN position. The scheduling requirements are as followed:

Must schedule 24 weekend hours in 4-week schedule cycle; One summer and one winter holiday is required.

Principal Duties:

1. Provides safe, effective and efficient patient care as directed by assigned licensed nurse.
2. Assists with obtaining basic patient information as part of the nursing history or ongoing assessment and reports abnormal values to the appropriate nurse.
3. Orients patients to the care environment to promote patient comfort and safety.
4. Observes and reports obvious physical and emotional patient changes to assigned nurse.
5. Monitors patients for special risks and reports observations to assigned nurse (i.e., falls, skin breakdown).
6. Makes regular patient visits to provide all patients with quick response to their needs.
7. Seeks guidance and direction in prioritizing multiple demands to effectively meet patient's needs.
8. Demonstrates knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served in the assigned work area. Recognizes normal/abnormal vital sign parameters depending on age of patient.
9. Documents completely and accurately according to the unit and division standards, including safety measures.
10. Remains calm and effective in emergency situations and follows appropriate guidelines.
11. Performs and completes all assigned skills and duties as outlined care plans, critical pathways, competencies, skills lists, standards, policies and procedures.
12. Demonstrates manual dexterity abilities to perform precise skills required to meet patient care needs.
13. Demonstrates the ability to operate and maneuver patient care equipment safely.
14. Initiates equipment to ensure patient safety (bed alarm, side rails, trapeze, and restraints).
15. Demonstrates the ability to use proper body mechanics to safely transfer and move patients.
16. Practices infection control procedures and observes Standard Precautions (including appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment).
17. Demonstrates knowledge of role in emergency situations (Code 99, Code Red, Code 13, Code D).
18. Maintains area of responsibility in neat and orderly condition. (Patient rooms are neat and uncluttered, etc.)
19. Stocks and returns equipment and supplies to proper storage area.
20. Reports broken and unsafe equipment to appropriate personnel and/or Department Manger.

Customer Service:

1. Greets customers in courteous, friendly, respectful and professional manner at all times, including maintaining eye contact when appropriate.
2. Follows communication protocols to both internal and external customers, including introducing him/herself with job title and experience, asking open ended questions, such as "How may I be of help to you?" Using the customer's name as soon as it is learned.
3. Responds promptly and appropriately to customer questions/concerns/complaints and attempts immediate resolution.
4. Keeps customer's information confidential, including public places such as elevators or the cafeteria.
5. Provides assistance and offers help immediately, including finding someone else to meet the request, if unable to do so him/herself. Introduce other staff to customers when a hand-off occurs and explain that the person will provide excellent service.
6. Demonstrates commitment to excellent service recovery when a customer's expectations have not been met.

Commitment to Co-Workers:

1. Offers assistance to colleagues and other departments when needed.
2. Takes responsibility for solving problems regardless of origin; completes assignments, and respects deadlines.
3. Resolves conflict directly with colleagues and seeks assistance from others if the issue cannot be resolved. Refrains from criticism in public.
4. Mindful and respectful of others' time and schedules. Attends meetings on time and communicates any absences.
5. Provides co-workers with a status report for continuity of workflow when planning to be out of the office, off the unit, or away from the department

Communication Etiquette:

1. Respectful, courteous and professional in all forms of communication and follows facility's service communication protocol in all interactions.
2. Refrains from use of personal cell phone in patient care areas and keeps usage to a minimum at all other times while on duty.
3. Does not text or use e-mail during meetings (except for exigent or emergency situations).
4. Limits use of business cell phone during meetings (remain on vibrate and/or calls go to voicemail).
5. Makes every effort to answer telephone calls within three rings, introducing him/herself, department and title (if appropriate). Asks permission before placing the caller on hold or using the speakerphone. If caller is transferred, gives the caller the extension number of the person he or she is being transferred to. Offers further assistance to the caller upon completing the conversation.
6. Maintains an appropriate voicemail message and when away from the office has an out-of-office email message that is brief, current, and includes name and department and offers the caller options if possible.
7. Returns email and voicemail messages promptly but no later than within one business day (24 hours).
8. Always mindful of voice and language in public.

Self Management:

1. Reports to work appropriately groomed and in compliance with the Hospital's dress code. Wears identification badge at all times at chest level and facing outwards so identification is clearly visible.
2. Complete all assignments within deadlines or negotiates alternative actions and time frames in order to achieve desired outcomes.
3. Completes mandatory, annual education and competency requirements.
4. Follows UMCAP safety, infection control and employee health standards.
5. Demonstrates responsibility for personal growth, development and professional knowledge and competency.
6. Adhere to all UMCAP and department policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct and professional behavior standards. Does not exceed Hospital guidelines in reference to attendance, punctuality, and use of sick and unplanned absences. Provides notification of absences, lateness and vacation requests according to department guidelines. Respects length of time for lunch and break times.
7. Reviews, signs, and adheres to UMCAP and/or departmental confidentiality statement.