Care Assistant Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

INTRODUCTION

Join our team at UPMC Presbyterian and embark on a fulfilling healthcare career as a Nursing Assistant or Patient Care Technician. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient care while working alongside our compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals. This position offers a premier benefits package and endless opportunities for growth. The Nursing Assistants and Patient Care Technicians provide routine patient care and support the department services in accordance with established policies and procedures. This role will be directed by nurses and/or physicians to ensure that the highest degree of quality patient care can be maintained at all times. Patient care duties may include, but are not limited to, ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning patients, and blood glucose), vital signs, simple dressings, EKGs, bladder scans, and all specimen collections.

The Transplant & Inpatient Surgery Service Division consists of several departments all with a unique surgically based focus. Each unit is staffed by nurses who are specialists in their respective fields and provide compassionate care and clinical excellence: 5E/W, 8W, 9N, 10N, 11N, 11E/W

• 10 North is a 25 bed all private room Surgical Oncology unit that focuses on Gastrointestinal and Liver Surgery. The patient population consists of colon, gastric, pancreatic cancer and gastrointestinal disorders that require surgery. The liver population on the unit consists of liver resections, chemotherapy and management of common bile duct injuries. When needed we work closely with Palliative Care and Hospice to provide our patients and families comprehensive end of life care. 10 North provides state of the art oncology care which offers an opportunity to develop professional experience in all areas of surgical care.
• 11 North at UPMC Montefiore is a 22-bed Step-down Unit specializing in the care of patients undergoing liver, kidney, pancreas, and intestinal transplants in addition to other complex abdominal surgeries. As a nurse on 11 North, you will become an expert on post-operative transplant patient care, transplant medications, and multifaceted patient/family education. 11 North is a dynamic patient and family-focused unit where we promote a culture of kindness, caring and teamwork. We strive to ensure that patients and families have a positive experience on 11 North. This is reflected in our high patient satisfaction scores.
• 9 North at UPMC Montefiore is a 25-bed surgical orthopedic and urology department, caring for patients with orthopedic trauma, spinal injuries, and injuries/conditions related to the upper extremities as well as urological patients.
• 8 West/5 East West is a unique medical-surgical stepdown unit specializing in the care of patients with liver failure and those undergoing complex head and neck surgical procedures.

Our head and neck surgical population includes patients who have undergone procedures such as total laryngectomy, free flap reconstruction, tracheotomy, and parathyroid/thyroid surgeries.

The hepatology service cares for a diverse patient population, with a primary focus on individuals experiencing liver failure from a variety of etiologies. Staff provide comprehensive care across the continuum—from supportive end-of-life care to management of patients preparing for liver transplantation.

• 11 East/West Inpatient Rehabilitation is a 20-bed unit that supports patients who require intense therapy to improve functional mobility and self-care while still requiring medical and nursing care. We specialize in rehab for post-organ transplant, stroke, and LVAD patients, but also care for a diverse mix of other diagnoses related to surgical, trauma, oncology, or any illness leading to general debility. Our Nurses and PCTs provide direct patient care in a way that enhances and supports skills learned in daily physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions. We pride ourselves on being the last stop before home for patients who have had long hospital stays and cheer as they ring the bell on discharge day.

Nursing Support roles are required to work rotating shifts, which include daylight, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts. Nursing Assistants and Patient Care Technicians will also be required to work 12-hour shifts, with a possibility of a combination of 8-hour and 12-hour shifts.

Nursing Support Training:

All hired candidates will complete a mandatory training course. This is a paid training program that spans over three days. The main program is on weekdays only and during daylight hours, combining virtual and in-person days. Attendance is mandatory for the entire training. Training is available on the unit for those who have completed a clinical rotation in a hospital or have specific transferable in-patient/hospital experience.

Nursing Support Career Ladder

Our goal at UPMC is to help you build YOUR career, starting with our robust career ladder! A Nursing Support career at UPMC Presbyterian maximizes your potential and advances you to wherever you’d like to go, ensuring that you are equipped with resources, mentors, and leadership along the way.

Job title and salary will be based upon qualifications and career ladder requirements:

• Nursing Assistant:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Patient Care Technician:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 Year of Experience, OR enrollment in PT/OT/PA program or related healthcare training program with completion of at least one clinical rotation, OR completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in a health sciences field.
• Patient Care Technician – Senior/Specialist:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2 years of healthcare experience, OR 1 year of experience and enrollment in PT/OT/PA program with completion of at least one clinical rotation, OR 1 year of experience and completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in a health sciences field.
• Annual completion of a professional contribution to be determined after hire.
• Successful completion of Senior or Specialist training class.
• Specialist title determined by specific patient care skills.
• Patient Care Technician – Lead:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3 years of healthcare experience required.
• Successful completion of Senior or Specialist training.

Responsibilities:

• Must routinely perform the UPMC nursing core nursing assistant responsibilities, including ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, and turning and repositioning patients), PLUS point of care testing (inc. blood glucose), weights, vital signs, I&O, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, HAC & PSI prevention (TEDs/SCDs), and clean catch/mini catheter urine collection. In addition, simple dressings, 12 lead EKG, bladder scan, all specimen collections.
• All competencies must be achieved.
• Ensures equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department.
• Establishes professional and respectful interpersonal relationships.
• Contributes to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.
• Constructively receives feedback and direction.
• Takes action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team.
• Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
• Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
• Provides patient care, including assisting with patient procedures and activities of daily living.
• Assists with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
• Provides feedback to the RN regarding patient care and reports changes in patient status.
• Provides instruction to patients and their families under the direction of the RN.
• May apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints as per physician or hospital protocol.
• Strictly adheres to all policies and procedures relative to patient care and hospital-related information.
• Complies with safety policies and procedures, including standard precautions.
• Documents in the medical record according to established procedures.
• Performs assigned work in a timely and productive manner.
• Completes department clerical functions, as needed.
• Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Successful completion of UPMC Nursing Assistant, or Patient Care Technician, or EIC training program.
• Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Previous healthcare experience preferred.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Paramedic, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program preferred.
• Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse.