Patient Care Technician - PACU

UPMC is seeking a dedicated Patient Care Technician to support the Pre‑Op/Post‑Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). This role will primarily support the PACU waiting area by checking in patients for scheduled procedures and providing assistance and support to patients and their families.

Schedule:

• Monday–Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• No weekends
• No holidays

Minimum of one (1) year of prior Patient Care Technician (PCT) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) experience is highly preferred.

In this role, the Patient Care Technician assists with preparing patients for procedures by obtaining vital signs, weights, blood glucose levels, consent forms, and required lab work. In the recovery setting, patients are closely monitored as they recover from anesthesia and return to their baseline condition. Once stable, patients are either transferred to an inpatient unit or discharged.

This position plays an important role in ensuring a smooth patient experience by supporting clinical workflows and providing compassionate assistance to patients and families throughout the perioperative process.

• Provides patient care, including assisting with patient procedures and activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning, repositioning, and transporting patients.
• Assists with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies as directed.
• Performs UPMC nursing core Patient Care Technician responsibilities, including vital signs, weights, intake and output (I&O), blood glucose monitoring, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, specimen collection, Foley care, and hospital‑acquired condition and patient safety indicators.
• Completes additional clinical tasks as assigned, such as phlebotomy/venipuncture, 12‑lead EKGs, simple dressings, bladder scans, straight catheterization, Foley catheter removal, peripheral IV removal, point‑of‑care testing, basic arrhythmia monitoring, NG tube clamping and removal, and restraint application/removal per protocol, based on departmental needs and competencies.
• Prepares patients and provides support before, during, and after procedures as appropriate.
• Monitors patient condition and promptly reports changes in patient status to the registered nurse (RN).
• Provides instruction and support to patients and their families under the direction of the RN.
• Documents care accurately and timely in the medical record according to established procedures.
• Establishes and maintains professional, respectful, and effective communication with members of the healthcare team, patients, families, and other departments.
• Contributes to universal unit activities, including responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.
• Ensures equipment malfunctions are reported promptly to the appropriate department.
• Supports a safe work environment by adhering to safety policies, standard precautions, and hospital protocols.
• Demonstrates understanding of cultural diversity, workplace behavior expectations, and impairment in the health professions.
• Access to medications is limited to delivering medications to the nurse; does not administer medications.
• Requests assistance with planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
• Constructively receives feedback and direction and participates in self‑review as requested by leadership.
• Identifies learning needs and takes initiative to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
• Assumes responsibility for assigned duties and views challenges as opportunities for improvement.
• Supports departmental projects, quality initiatives, and process improvements.
• Performs assigned work in a timely, efficient, and productive manner.
• Completes department clerical functions as needed.