Patient Care Technician I - Full-time

University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH) offers the residents of northeastern Maryland an unparalleled combination of clinical expertise, leading-edge technology, and an exceptional patient experience.

A community-based, integrated, non-profit health system, our vision is to become the preferred, integrated health system creating the healthiest community in Maryland. We are dedicated to maintaining and improving the health of the people in our community through an integrated health delivery system that provides high quality care to all. Our commitment to service excellence is evident through a broad range of health care services, technologies and facilities. We work collaboratively with our community and other health organizations to serve as a resource for health promotion and education.

Today, UM UCH is the leading health care system and second largest private employer in Harford County. Our 3,500 team members and over 650 medical staff physicians serve residents of Harford County, eastern Baltimore County and western Cecil County.

University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health owns and operates:

• University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health fact sheet
• University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Aberdeen
  • View the UM UCMC Aberdeen information sheet
• University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air
  • View the UM UCMC Bel Air information sheet
• The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, Bel Air, MD
• The Patricia D. and M. Scot Kaufman Cancer Center, Bel Air, MD
• The Senator Bob Hooper House, Forest Hill, MD
• Klein Family Center, Bel Air, MD

General Summary

Under the direction of professional nursing staff, provides direct patient care. Takes vital signs, checks surgical dressings, aids patient’s with activities of daily living.  This role performs blood draws and collects specimen samples. Observes and collects data and communicates about the patient’s status in order to identify needs and provides needed care. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary patient care services team.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Performs testing and manages the care of the patient based on results achieved and clinical findings.
2. Records patient care along the continuum, including activities of daily living (ADLs): feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and transferring.
3. Completes, documents and reports patient vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation and reported pain level).
4. Assists in admission, transfer and discharge of patients.
5. Participates in cost effective strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
6. Promotes patient safety including fall prevention. Ensures the safety of the clinical environment for patients, visitors, and other staff members.
7. Maintains order and appearance of patient rooms and work area. Maintains patient care supplies and linen.
8. Provides post-mortem care.
9. Collaborates with members of the health care team to carry out the plan of care, including reporting observed changes in patients’ condition.
10. Ensure patient comfort relative to their pain status.
11. Measures and documents dietary intake and patient urinary and stool output. Documents calorie count. Measures and documents patient weight.
12. Conducts indwelling urinary catheter care. Applies, maintains and removes external urinary catheter devices. 
13. Conducts blood glucose monitoring.
14. Provides wound care to promote healing and maintain structural integrity of the skin. Performs skin care and hygiene and reports impaired skin integrity and/or wound impairment. Assists with appropriate strategies and/or treatment measures to provide wound care.
15. Assists with collection of patient specimens for laboratory testing. Incorporates proper techniques for patient identification, method for collection of appropriate specimen(s) and documentation.
16. Provides orthopedic/rehab device care: e.g. braces, splints, CPM.  Dons/doffs compression wraps/stockings.
17. Participates in hourly patient rounding in collaboration with the health care team.
18. Responds to patient triggered alarms, including call light, chair alarm, bed alarm, tele-sitter alarm, etc.
19. Complies with the The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals within scope of practice.
20. Detects, reports, and acts to avoid or correct safety risks.  Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority. 
21. Provides professional vigilance to assigned patients, including when assigned as a patient safety companion.
22. Incorporates safe lifting techniques and body mechanics in daily practice.         
23. Improves patient flow and prevents care delays.
24. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

1. High school diploma or equivalent required.
2. Current Maryland state certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) required.   
3. No previous experience required; previous direct patient care experience in a health care facility preferred.
4. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Able to effectively communicate using verbal and written skills. 
2. Maintain interpersonal relationships and use teamwork skills to provide care along with other team members in a cohesive manner.
3. Ability to organize work priorities, perform several duties simultaneously and function in stressful situations.
4. Ability to learn and use computer systems
5. Demonstrates proper technique and skills needed for obtaining accurate blood glucose results and documenting findings.
6. Demonstrates the ability to perform delegated nursing tasks according to the age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual diagnostic needs of the persons served.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation:

•Pay Range: $17-$29.14
•Other Compensation (if applicable): $2,000 Sign On Bonus
•Review the 2024-2025 UMMS Benefits Guide