PATIENT CARE TECH
Position: Patient Care Tech
Department: UVMC 1 Central unit
Shift: PRN/hours vary
Facility: Upper Valley Medical Center
A Patient Care Technician, or PCT, is like a super helper in the hospital! They work with nurses and doctors to take care of patients in many different ways. They can:
- Check things like temperature, heartbeat, and breathing.
- Help patients move around, get dressed, and eat.
- Collect samples like blood or urine.
- Clean and change bandages.
- Report any changes in a patient's condition to a nurse.
The PCT works under the supervision of the nurse, which means the nurse makes sure they are doing things safely and correctly. Sometimes, the PCT might also be called a Patient Care Technician/Unit Clerk (PCT/HUC). As HUC, they help with the paperwork and other tasks that keep the hospital running smoothly, which also helps patients get the best care possible!
So, even though PCTs don't wear capes, they are essential members of the healthcare team who help patients feel better and get healthy again!
Education: You'll need a high school diploma or GED.
Training: Before you start, you'll need to get a BLS CPR certificate. They can teach you how to do CPR at your orientation too, so you don't need to do it beforehand.
Experience: No previous job experience is required, but you should have one of the following:
- Finished STNA, CNA, or Patient Care Technician/Assistant training
- Helped care for patients in the past 5 years (like taking their temperature, bathing them, or helping them use the restroom)
- Currently in nursing school and finished one clinical rotation
Other Skills:
- You can handle doing many things at once, even when people interrupt you, and still be nice.
- You know how to use a computer a little.
- You're good at organizing things.
- You can talk and listen well to others.
- Bonus points: You've worked in a hospital before.