Unit Care Technician

Renders direct and indirect patient care under direction of appropriate licensed personnel. Facilitates care to meet patient's daily living activity needs by providing physical and clerical support, coordinating activities, and communicating effectively. Provides personal self-care and activity programs to patients. Contributes to the operation of the unit. Responsible for completion of unit competency assessments and, if appropriate, annual education review. Promotes an overall culture of excellence and positive and professional first impression to patients and visitors by providing hospitality and general information.

This is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees will be required to perform any job, with related instruction given by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. 
 

• Facilitates care of the patients by providing clerical support, that includes answering the telephone, sending and receiving faxes, maintaining records, filing, and completing orders depending on the unit needs. Using Cottage?s Information Systems, institutes and maintains patient records according to policy; correctly completes admission, transfers, discharges, and death procedures. Orders patient tests and treatments accurately and schedules in correct sequence; transcribes information legibly, completely and accurately on all forms. Uses basic medical terminology correctly and uses correct grammar and spelling. Maintains logs, files, reports and packets specific to the unit. Assists in data collection and audit processes specific to the unit. Adeptly uses computer programs specific to the unit. Responsible for insuring unit has appropriate inventory levels of supplies, ordering and restocking those supplies. Ensures that equipment is functioning and properly maintained. (20%)
• Understands the patient care plan and/or patient teaching program to provide for routine care within the scope of the unit, unit competency expectations, and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or other licensed personnel. This may include bathing, hygiene, toileting, assisting with ADL, specimen collection, etc. (may not perform blood procurement without appropriate certification from the State of California). Coordinates activities as part of the treatment process to provide for efficient care of the patient. Observes assigned patients on an on-going basis, providing a safe environment and conducting patient and environmental safety rounds as required. May include taking vital signs and responding to and notifying appropriate caregiver in emergent situations. Monitors telemetry and EKG monitoring per department policy. In Wound Care Center, performs Vasamed diagnostic tests. May transport patients. (20%)
• Works effectively with people to build teamwork toward a common goal. Works cooperatively and courteously with all staff while carrying out duties. Accepts feedback on performance in a positive way and uses it for self?development. Approaches co-workers on a 1:1 basis with issues and concerns in a private, constructive manner. Practices positive public relations with employees, patients, physicians and visitors at all times. Functions independently by using available resources (e.g. lab manual etc.). Functions as a resource and assists in problem solving with other departments. Actively involved in identifying and participating in ways to enhance teamwork and to resolve conflicts. (20%)
• Maintains effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication. Demonstrates courteous, effective and efficient communication on the phone and in person with all staff, patients, physicians and visitors. Assists in meeting patient needs by answering the intercom, providing information and assistance when appropriate and summoning nursing help according to the priority of the patient's request. Contributes to personalization of care by welcoming, greeting, and providing hospital information to families and visitors. Keeps in close communication with charge nurse/nursing staff. Handles stressful situations appropriately. Solves minor problems (patient care, supplies and equipment, relationships). Recognizes and reports errors verbally and through notification reporting process. (15%)
• Demonstrates an effective method of organizing and prioritizing tasks of the day and follows through on problems. Maintains an awareness of unit activity and patient acuity. Prioritizes and follows through on patient/staff/physician requests in a timely manner. Attempts to resolve minor problems and is alert to and acts on potential problems needing immediate intervention. Compiles and maintains patient records for efficient use by patient care providers. Anticipates and follows through on patient and unit needs (e.g. pre-op requirement of patients, ordering supplies and equipment, etc.). (15%)
• Facilitates and maintains the environment of care and healthy work environment. This may include environmental safety rounds and reporting patient care equipment and physical plant needs to facilities and computer repair needs to ISD. (5%)
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of all Unit Care Technician skills. Self-directed in identifying own learning needs and ways to meet them to maintain competency. Aware of and utilizes educational resources of the hospital. Completes and submits annual requirements. Assists in orientation of new staff, floats and students as appropriate. Attends staff meetings per unit policy and demonstrates knowledge of information communicated. Assists with recording and doing minutes of staff meetings. May complete other educational projects as negotiated with the manager/director that will support the Mission and Goals of Cottage Health System. May initiate and provide for instruction to other staff with the guidance of the manager/director. (5%)

All job qualifications listed indicate the minimum level necessary to perform this job proficiently. 

LEVEL OF EDUCATION 
Preferred:

• 1 year of nursing school

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 
Preferred:

• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS). No other certifications, licenses, registrations or special requirements are required except in the following departments: Emergency (SBCH) and CT Departments: Emergency Medical Technician certification or Emergency Medical Technician ? Paramedic certification. Emergency Department (GVCH): Emergency Medical Technician certification or Emergency Medical Technician ? Paramedic certification or Certified Nursing Assistant certification. RT Center for Wound Management: Successful completion of Vasamed training within 6 months on the job. Santa Ynez ED and Med/Surg: Successful completion of Telemetry Monitor Observer course within six months on the job. ICU (GVCH): Successful completion of Telemetry Monitor Observer course within six months on the job.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 
Preferred:

• Basic Computer skills. Knowledge of office systems, practices, and equipment. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. Ability to use correct grammar and spelling. Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to use computer charting (electronic medical record) and computer order entry. Microsoft Word and Excel skills.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES 
All knowledge, skills, and abilities listed indicate the minimum level deemed necessary to perform this job proficiently.

• Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively. Ability to solve minor problems of patient care, including equipment and supplies, relationships, basic comfort needs, environment, and communicate to appropriate caregiver. Ability to exercise sound judgment. Ability to facilitate necessary changes on the unit and take an active role in helping co-workers understand the need for change. Critical thinking skills to exercise good judgment in communications, patient care, and assisting with problems.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills by participating in joint problem identification and solution.
• The employee communicates effectively.Ability to listen and communicate effectively. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to manage all systems of communication on the unit (phone, computer, intercom, emergency codes, pneumatic tubes, etc.) and serves as a resource to other staff.
• Understand and utilize basic medical terminology. Basic understanding of the concepts/disease processes most commonly seen on the unit. Knowledge and basic understanding of patient safety and ability to perform tasks in a manner safe for the employee and patient. Ability to prioritize work and to resume workflow after urgent or frequent interruptions. Demonstrates professionalism, communication and compassion with regard for human dignity.