Nursing assistant/patient care technician - hepatology/ent (5ew/8w)

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 strong 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.

About the Unit:

5EW/8W 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. Nurses provide comprehensive care across the continuum—from supportive end-of-life care to management of patients preparing for liver transplantation.

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.

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.