Patient Care Technician - Elmhurst, United States - Elmhurst Outpatient Surgery Center

Description

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Patient Care Technician is responsible for obtaining vital signs, assisting with maintaining patient flow, and performing other assigned duties to facilitate in preparing patients for admission and/or discharge within pre-op and the PACU.

The position operates under the supervision of a registered nurse(s) assigned to the same clinical area.

This position is classified as an hourly, non-exempt employee and is eligible for overtime pay.

This position reports to the Preop/PACU Coordinator.


Primary Responsibilities

• Adheres to EOSC safety initiatives. Recognizes and reports observed or suspected safety violations, hazards and noncompliance with EOSC's policies and procedures and initiates corrective action and preventive measures as appropriate.
• Obtains vital signs, assists with obtaining urine HCG results, Accu-Checks, and assists with all other clinical activities to prepare patients for admission or discharge as directed by a registered nurse.
• Transports patients to family members' vehicles upon discharge. Assists with escorting patients and their family members throughout the facility as needed.
• Stocks all preop rooms and PACU bays with all medical supplies and linens. Monitors supplies maintained on dock and keeps all supplies neat and organized. Maintains supplies and nutrition items in PACU nutrition area.
• Assists in preparing medical supply orders based on agreed upon par and reorder levels.
• Cleans all carts for use in all clinical areas including preop, PACU, OR, GI, minor room and eye suites. Cleans all preop rooms and PACU bays in between patients.
• Performs daily/weekly/terminal cleaning for preop and PACU; signs off after completion.
• Assists with removal of trash and dirty laundry. Helps to maintain a clean and organized environment in all clinical areas.
• Other duties as assigned by the registered nurses.
• Utilizes EOSC equipment and supplies effectively and economically. Remains organized with time and identifies ways to streamline processes to increase efficiency.
• Participates in performance improvement and quality initiatives. Assists with gathering quality data, completing audits, participating on committees, etc.
• Complies with all EOSC policies/procedures, Joint Commission, IDPH, CMS and other regulatory agencies' standards and guidelines.

Professional Conduct

• Accepts personal responsibility and ownership. Does not assign blame. Accepts constructive criticism. Is able to look at the process to determine what failed and what changes can be made to achieve positive outcomes in the future.
• Interacts with physicians, team members throughout the organization and management, in a positive, considerate and professional manner. Collaborates with other leaders within the organization and works together in a spirit of collegiality to achieve a common end. Leads by example.
• Displays problemsolving/decisionmaking skills to support positive team outcomes. Is proactive. Addresses issues directly with the person/people involved at the right time in the right setting. Follows chain of command to resolve problems, but escalates recurrent issues when needed. Puts EOSC's patients and the overall team before self.
• Is an active participant. Offers input into department and EOSC's overall goals. Attends and contributes ideas/recommendations in team meetings and inservices. Willingly accepts and/or seeks out additional assignments/duties.
• Demonstrates ability to adapt to a changing environment; shows flexibility with assignments.
• Shares skills, knowledge and expertise with team members through the organization.
• Is punctual and dependable.

Qualifications/Competencies/Skills

• Minimum 2 years of experience working in a direct patient care clinical environment as a patient care technician, medical assistant or certified nursing assistant. Previous experience in an ambulatory care setting preferred.
• Maintaining CNA or MA certification for the position, if applicable.
• Maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Physical requirements:
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, bending, walking and/or repetitive use of hands.
• May be required to push/pull carts and/or wheelchairs with patients potentially weighing up to 350 lbs.
• May be required to lift/carry up to 50 lbs.
• Employees are at risk for occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) and must comply with the procedures and work practices outlined in EOSC's policies and procedures including the use of all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls (e.g., sharps containers, labels, and red bags) per regulatory standards.
• Required to handle cleaning agents including disinfectants, enzymatic solutions and chemical sterilants and must comply with the procedures and work practices outlined in EOSC's policies and procedures including the use of all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE)