Patient Care Technician

Casual Patient Care Technician - Emergency Department

Flexible scheduling, hands‑on clinical skills, and an ideal role for students pursuing healthcare careers

If you're enrolled in a healthcare‑related program and eager to gain real‑world experience in a fast‑paced clinical setting, this opportunity is designed for you. As a Casual Patient Care Technician in our Emergency Department, you'll build essential clinical skills, work alongside experienced nurses and providers, and enjoy a schedule that adapts to your academic commitments. This role offers a meaningful way to strengthen your résumé while contributing to a team that values learning, teamwork, and high‑quality patient care.

• Candidate will be placed into the appropriate job title based on experience and/or education.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Patient Care

• Assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living, including bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning, repositioning, and transporting patients.
• Provide patient and family instruction under the direction of the RN.
• Apply, monitor, and remove restraints per protocol; support alternatives to reduce restraint use.
• Observe and report changes in patient condition to the RN promptly.

Clinical & Technical Skills

• Perform core nursing assistant responsibilities: vital signs, weights, intake and output, blood glucose testing, specimen collection, Foley care, and telemetry monitor application/reapplication.
• Complete point‑of‑care testing and support hospital‑acquired condition and patient safety indicator prevention practices.
• Perform at least four BU‑identified clinical tasks such as phlebotomy, 12‑lead EKG, simple dressings, Foley catheter removal, bladder scanning, straight catheterization, or IV catheter removal.
• Maintain competency in at least one advanced skill based on department need: phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley removal, basic arrhythmia recognition, 12‑lead EKG, or NG tube clamping/removal.

Emergency Department Workflow Support

• Assist with patient flow, room preparation, and intra‑hospital transport ("ticket to ride".
• Respond to call lights, answer telephones, pass meal trays, and support general unit operations.
• Complete clerical tasks as needed to support departmental efficiency.

Environment & Equipment Management

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized environment through safety checks, equipment cleaning, and supply stocking.
• Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department.

Communication & Team Collaboration

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with all members of the healthcare team.
• Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, workplace safety, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
• Build productive working relationships through accountability, motivation, and a commitment to patient‑centered care.

Documentation & Compliance

• Document patient care and observations accurately in the medical record.
• Adhere strictly to all hospital policies, including confidentiality, standard precautions, and safety procedures.
• Handle medications only to the extent of delivering them to the nurse.

Professional Development

• Receive and apply constructive feedback.
• Identify learning needs and communicate them to leadership.
• Seek assistance with planning and prioritizing tasks when needed.
• Participate in self‑review and ongoing skill development.
• Support departmental projects, quality initiatives, and process improvements.

Patient Care Technician Qualifications (Preferred:

• High school diploma or GED.

• Must also have either:

• a 1 Year of general healthcare experience, OR

• b 6 months of experience as UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire/transfer/promotion for those with less than 1 year of experience, OR

• c enrollment in PT/OT/PA program or related healthcare training program with completion of at least one clinical rotation, OR

• d completion of a bachelor's degree in a health sciences field.

• Successful completion of UPMC patient care technician class.

• Successful completion of eRecord training.

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT or Paramedic or currently enrolled in an EMT or Paramedic program preferred.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire ACLS preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran