Nursing Assistant / Patient Care Technician – Cardiothoracic Division at UPMC Presbyterian

Are you looking to establish a fulfilling, hands-on health care career while elevating the patient experience? As a Nursing Assistant or Patient Care Technician with UPMC Presbyterian, you’ll make a meaningful difference on our team by working with our Life Changers to provide high-quality patient care.

The Cardiothoracic Service Line encompasses five units focused on the care of cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular patients. We specialize in LVADs, cystic fibrosis, heart, lung and bone marrow transplant on units 3E, 4D/5D, 7D, 9D, 10D/10G. Nursing and patient care services have the opportunity to provide innovative therapies and cutting-edge treatments with a focus on patient-family centered relationship.

7D is a 19-bed cardiothoracic surgery acuity adaptable unit caring for patients undergoing state of the art procedures such as MIE surgery, hernia repair via Nissen or LINX, lobectomy and wedge resection, pneumonectomy, and Roux-en-Y bypass. We receive the majority of our patients from the PACU, SICU, CTICU, or outpatient clinic, making 7D a wonderful unit to learn the skills needed to transition to the ICU. 7D is very busy unit however we’ve cultivated an outstanding team atmosphere – including surgeons and PAs—working together cohesively to give our patients the best care possible. 

10D/G is a 29-bed Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Step Down unit. Nurses care for pulmonary transplant patients as well as patients with advanced lung conditions including cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma, scleroderma, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, and pulmonary hypertension. The unit is involved in many research trials for pulmonary patients such as COPD Valve and Bone Marrow Transplant patients.

3E CT Surgery/Cardiology is an 18-bed medical cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, and vascular surgery unit caring for patients with medical heart conditions, or who are recovering from heart surgery. Many of our patients have received stents or electrophysiology treatments, and may require chest tubes, temporary pacemakers, and cardiac medications via IV. We work at a fast pace but remain extremely supportive of our nurses and committed to patient comfort and safety.

9D is a 17-bed cardiothoracic transplant unit caring for patients recovering from heart and/or lung transplants, and who receive support from a ventricular assist device; we also receive overflow cardiology patients.

4D/5D are medical cardiology units, each with 18 telemetry beds in private rooms. We care for patients with various cardiac diagnoses, including heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, cardiac rhythm disturbances, cardiac catheterization, post-pacemaker/ICD placement, and preparing patients for heart transplant and/or LVAD placement.

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.

All hired candidates will complete a mandatory training course. This is a paid training program that spans over two weeks. The main program is weekdays only and daylight hours, with a combination of virtual and in-person days. Attendance is mandatory for the entire training. A one-day training is available on Saturdays for those who have completed a clinical rotation in a hospital or have specific transferable in-patient/hospital experience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Our career ladder includes Nursing Assistant > Patient Care Technician > Patient Care Technician, Senior/Specialist > Lead Patient Care Technician.

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

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.

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.