The Patient Care Technician

1. The Patient Care Technician Roles and Responsibilities

2. The Field of Nursing • Florence Nightingale • Early nursing assistants where known as • Aides • orderlies • Today nursing assistants are well trained members of the health care team with many important responsibilities

3. PCT • PCT are allied health professionals who provide direct patient care within their regulated scope of practice • The perform basic nursing assistant tasks (as delegated by the nursing or medical staff) which may include: • Vital signs • Communicating with healthcare team members • Assist with ADLs • Comply with confidentiality requirements • Perform EKGs and phlebotomy tasks

4. PCT • Meet basic physical needs of patients/residents • Meet emotional needs of patients/residents • Act as an observer and communicator

5. Daily Activities • Fill water pitcher • Bathe patients • Take vitals • Take blood sugar readings • record and empty drains • Record urine output • Ambulate patients

6. Preparedness is the OPTIMAL Mindset • Shift begins when you clock in • Report off to an RN and to oncoming PCT • Ensure floor coverage by staggering all break times and lunch • YOU MUST all report off when leaving the unit • Focus on PATIENT CENTERED CARE— • Abstain from taking breaks/lunch until AM care has been given

7. Responsibilities of the PCT • Assist nurses in given care to patients/residents • Meet basic physical needs of patients/residents • Meet emotional needs of patients/residents • Act as an observer and communicator

8. Responsibilities of the PCT • Assist nurses in given care to patients/residents • Meet basic physical needs of patients/residents • Meet emotional needs of patients/residents • Act as an observer and communicator

9. Education Requirements • HS diploma or GED • Certification programs • Vary in length • Competency evaluation • During training • Orientation/probationary periods • Annual • Reciprocity • Certification may be valid in other states • Continuing education

10. The Nursing Team • Director of Nursing • Head Nurse or Charge Nurse • Registered Nurse RN • Licensed Vocational Nurse LVN • Patient Care Technician/Nursing Assistant • Unit Secretary

11. Nursing Models • Primary Nursing • Functional (modular) nursing • Team Nursing

12. Scope of Practice • Is a term used by national and state licensing boards for various profession that defines the procedures, actions and processes that are permitted for the licensed individual

13. Delegation • The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has developed guidelines called the: Five rights of delegation What is delegation?

14. Delegation • The Right Task • The Right Circumstance • The Right Person • The Right Direction • The Right Supervision

15. Stop and Think Discussion Questions • The nurse you are working with has just asked you to remove Mrs. Thompson urinary catheter. Since PCT are allowed to perform this task in your facility, you have received training on how to do this. This will be your first time to remove a catheter from a “real person”. You are nervous and uncomfortable • What should you do next?

16. Stop and Think • You are a PCT working at NHH and have just helped a patient into the shower. The RN enters and says, “Could you please give these medications to Mrs. Jones when she gets done showering? I will leave them on her bedside table” • How should you respond to this question? • If the nurse says that you don’t have to give her the pills, but just tell her to take them, what should you do?

17. Stop and Think • A nurse has instructed your co-worker to obtain a blood sugar reading using the glucometer. He tells the nurse that he has never done this before and does not know how to use the glucometer or how to obtain the blood specimen. The nurse is busy and tells you to teach him how to do this task and to supervise him while he does it. You have only done this once before without the nurses supervision. • What should you do? • What is your responsibility should you decline to accept this task?