Technician II, PCU

General Summary Statement

PCU Tech FT Days 

Performs receptionist, clerical, and unit support responsibilities. Provides patient care under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse. Adheres to Nursing Policies and Procedures and Organizational Goals and Objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Receptionist Responsibilities

1. Welcomes and greets visitors, patients and healthcare professionals to the unit.
2. Demonstrates pleasant and professional communication skills.
3. Answers the phone promptly using proper telephone etiquette. Refers phone call to the appropriate person and is reliable with messages.
4. Assists visitors to the unit in finding patient rooms, staff members and other resources. Checks with the RN as necessary for visitors.
5. Facilitates calls to physicians and other care providers as needed.
6. Demonstrates correct use of intercom, pager system, phone functions, pneumatic tube, fax and other equipment at the nurses’ station.

Electronic Order Management and Order Processing

1. Provides assistance to physicians and nurses and other healthcare professionals as needed in accurate and efficient entry of computer orders. (CPOE)
2. Provides for the accurate and timely processing of Orders including follow up phone calls, completing consultation forms, and legible transcription on Kardex or other forms.
3. Monitors frequently for new alerts and other new items on electronic work lists such as Order Acknowledgement Work Lists, Alerts Work Lists, and Interventions Work List. Notifies the RN and others of new orders, discontinue orders, alerts, specimens to be collected, or treatments.
4. Checks hourly for reports, forms, or communication documents in printers and fax.
5. Prints Soarian documents as requested.
6. Ensures that the Transfer Level of Care Med Rec Report is on the chart of all pre-operative patients.
7. Flags the chart when any new orders have been written or electronically entered.
8. Follows unit protocol for dispatch of written medication orders to Pharmacy.
9. Communicates stat orders to the nurse immediately upon receipt.
10. Enters into Soarian any written non-medication orders.
11. Ensures labeled specimens are sent to the Laboratory promptly, when requested.
12. Recopies Kardex or other forms as needed.
13. Reviews Kardex or Daily Clipboard for Daily Lab Orders and enters these for the next day.
14. Addresses, with RN input, all remaining new orders from the work list before shift change, patient transfer out of unit and discharge.
15. Performs Order Entry, Cancel Order, and Order Inquiry as needed.
16. Coordinates patient schedules with the RN and ancillary departments to be sure that tests are scheduled appropriately. Performs necessary follow up to ensure tests and procedures are completed as scheduled.
17. Monitors specialty bed ordering and discontinuation in a timely manner.
18. Initiates the location order set for inpatients going to surgery.

Chart Management Responsibilities

1. Ensures all chart forms are properly labeled.
2. Maintains all charts according to policy & procedure.
3. Prepares charts for admission, transfer and discharge.
4. Prints ExitCare documents as requested and prepares patient education folders as directed.

Departmental Support

1. Maintains equipment in working order. Uses equipment appropriately, follows Department policies for equipment and supply use, cleaning and maintenance.
2. Performs assigned duties to maintain unit in a state of survey readiness and maintain quality initiatives. For example, quality control measures, emergency equipment checks, nutrition area cleanliness, etc.
3. Performs assigned duties such as unit errands, stocking supplies, returning equipment to Central Supply, answering unit phone, etc.
4. Adheres to unit programs to support patient care such as maintaining a quiet environment, hourly patient rounds, customer service, etc.
5. Attends staff meetings on a regular basis.
6. Keeps patient care area and work environment neat and organized.

Patient Care Responsibilities

1. Provides age appropriate care for the patient population served. For example, gives consideration to growth & developmental phase of life, to age related factors such as thermal regulation, nutrition, safety and functional needs of the patient.
2. Uses appropriate resources for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.
3. Integrates principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.
4. Uses standard precautions and uses personal protective equipment.
5. Interacts with the patient in a manner that preserves patient dignity, privacy, and meets psychosocial needs of the patient.
6. Bathes patients and provides assistance with hygiene. (Includes baths, mouth care, shaves males, combs hair, washes patient’s hair as requested.)
7. Changes bed linens for occupied and unoccupied beds.
8. Changes incontinent patients promptly and provides appropriate skin care.
9. Empties bedpans, urinals, commodes, and assists patient to the bathroom.
10. Assists patients with meals, feeds patients as needed.
11. Distributes nourishments as scheduled.
12. Provides fresh water at bedside as appropriate.
13. Measures and records intake and output.
14. Positions patients correctly, aligns and supports torso and limbs as directed and per patient comfort.
15. Transports patients via wheelchair or stretcher using safety measures appropriate for patient and vehicle.
16. Uses proper body mechanics when transferring patient during ambulation and bed – chair transfers.
17. Makes hourly rounds for patient safety and customer service.
18. Responds to patient call lights in a timely manner.
19. Obtains vital signs and weights, and records.
20. Collects and labels urine, stool, sputum specimens as directed.
21. Inventories patient belongings at admission, transfer and discharge.
22. Provides 1:1 patient supervision in “Sitter” role for patient safety and suicide precautions.
23. Uses resources and references for reviewing policies and procedures, information needed to complete job duties.
24. Prioritizes and organizes work effectively within assigned shift.
25. Performs procedures and POC testing within the scope of the Policy and Procedure Manual.
26. Stocks patient rooms with supplies appropriate for individual patient care.

Patient Care Responsibilities Specific to the PINU Tech II

1. Performs 12 Lead EKG’s.
2. Places patient on cardiac monitor for hardwire or telemetry cardiac monitoring systems. Verifies right box/right patient every shift.
3. Performs basic troubleshooting of telemetry monitoring such as replacing loose or missing electrodes, low battery, etc.
4. Responds to leads off situations when notified by RN or Monitor Surveillance Technician.
5. Draws blood samples from arterial line.
6. Completes ACT per policy and procedure.

Communication

1. Communicates patient and unit information to the RN and interdisciplinary care team in a timely manner.
2. Seeks help from RN when needed.
3. Informs the RN when experiencing difficulty completing an assignment.
4. Receives report and clarifies information as needed.
5. Informs RN when leaving the unit for any reason.
6. Accepts assignments and performs as a team member.
7. Introduces self to patient and explains procedures to patient and family.
8. Reinforces information to patients and family such as safety precautions for falls prevention, visiting hours, etc.
9. Uses Soarian feedback to report concerns or issues regarding CPOE, or other Soarian functions.
10. Keeps track of patient location, communicates to RN, other healthcare providers including Monitor Surveillance Technicians and patient’s family.
11. Notifies Monitor Surveillance Technicians when a patient is being admitted/discharged or transported for testing.

Documentation

1. Documents patient care in an accurate, professional and timely manner using Soarian and paper documentation forms according to policy and procedure.

Role Development

1. Develops own knowledge via practice, observation, and attending continuing education programs.
2. Promotes best practice by demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care.
3. Promotes innovation and creativity in the practice environment.
4. Serves as a preceptor and mentor for new employees.
5. Accepts constructive feedback about performance or behaviors and shows evidence of change.
6. Demonstrates verbal and writing skills that are appropriate for healthcare communication.
7. Adheres to the Department of Nursing Dress Code.

Education Training and Experience

High School diploma or equivalent. Training and/or experience at an acute care or skilled nursing facility or student nurse with hospital based clinical experience.

Basic computer skills: keyboard, mouse use. Ability to complete data entry on clinical documentation screens. Ability to use email, and internet. Ability to successfully complete on the job training for CCH computer programs.

Ability to speak, read, write and understand English.

Licensure/Certification

CPR certification required.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certification Preferred

Specialty Specific Requirements

Perform 12 lead EKG

POC Testing