Patient Care Technician, Emergency/Observation Department

University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician for the Emergency/Observation Department. In this full-time role working days from 7am to 7:30pm, you will provide direct patient care under the direction of professional nursing staff, taking vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, performing blood draws, and collecting specimen samples. You will observe patients, document their status, and communicate with the interdisciplinary care team to identify and address patient needs.

Clinical Setting

This position is located in the Emergency/Observation Department of a community-based, integrated health system serving northeastern Maryland. You will work as a member of the interdisciplinary patient care services team.

Responsibilities

• Take and document vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation, and pain level
• Assist patients with activities of daily living including feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring
• Perform blood draws and venipuncture for laboratory samples
• Conduct blood glucose monitoring
• Perform nasal swabs and collect patient specimens using proper identification and collection techniques
• Assist with admission, transfer, and discharge of patients
• Maintain patient rooms and work areas; manage patient care supplies and linen
• Measure and document patient urinary and stool output, calorie counts, and weight
• Assist with indwelling and external urinary catheter care, including bladder scans and catheter insertion
• Perform chest physical therapy, tracheal suctioning, tracheostomy care, and incentive spirometry as delegated by the registered nurse
• Assist with enteral tube feedings via nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes under licensed nurse supervision
• Set up and operate EKG machines; attach and remove EKG leads; run rhythm strips
• Assist with IV placement initiation as directed by the registered nurse
• Assist with simple dressing changes to stage one and two wounds, surgical incisions, and peripheral IV sites after RN assessment
• Provide wound care and skin hygiene; report impaired skin integrity
• Provide orthopedic and rehabilitation device care including braces, splints, and compression wraps
• Precept and mentor other Patient Care Technicians
• Participate in hourly patient rounding with the healthcare team
• Respond to patient-triggered alarms including call lights, chair alarms, bed alarms, and tele-sitter alarms
• Serve as a patient safety companion when assigned
• Detect, report, and correct safety risks; report adverse events and near misses
• Promote patient safety including fall prevention
• Provide post-mortem care
• Use safe lifting techniques and proper body mechanics
• Improve patient flow and prevent care delays
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Current Maryland state certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Ability to effectively communicate using verbal and written skills
• Ability to maintain interpersonal relationships and use teamwork skills
• Ability to organize work priorities, perform multiple duties simultaneously, and function in stressful situations
• Ability to learn and use computer systems
• Ability to perform delegated nursing tasks according to patient age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual diagnostic needs
• Knowledge and practice of aseptic technique
• Proper technique and skills for obtaining accurate blood glucose results and documenting findings

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of previous patient care experience

Schedule

• Full-time position
• Days shift: 7am to 7:30pm

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay Range: $19.50 to $27.31 per hour
• $2,000 sign-on bonus with one-year commitment (restrictions may apply)
• Comprehensive benefits available; review the 2025-2026 UMMS Benefits Guide for details