Patient Care Technician - PICU

Join Children's National Hospital as a Patient Care Technician in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where you will provide essential support to our nursing team and contribute to the care of critically ill children. Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary healthcare team under the direction of Registered Nurses, you will perform basic nursing care activities, maintain a safe and clean patient care environment, and assist with patient flow throughout the unit.

Clinical Setting

You will work in the PICU at Children's National Hospital, located at 111 Michigan Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20010. The hospital is consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children's Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and is one of the largest and most comprehensive children's hospitals in the country.

Responsibilities

Patient Admission and Orientation

• Orient families to the use of call lights, monitors, and the unit
• Set up monitors and alarms
• Perform vital signs, height, weight, and head circumference measurements

Activities of Daily Living

• Assist patients with daily baths and skin care, including mouth care and perineal care
• Ensure proper nutrition as ordered, including nasogastric, gastric tube, or tray feeding
• Provide tube feeding care and assist with patient feeding
• Apply skin creams as directed by the RN
• Collect cultures, urine, and stool samples

Direct Patient Care

• Recognize and report patient pain and skin breakdown
• Prioritize tasks and special requests from the RN
• Assist with tracheostomy care and external ventricular drain (EVD) management
• Assist with central line dressing changes, pin care, cast and traction care
• Provide care for dying patients
• Prepare rooms for discharge and admission
• Maintain a neat and orderly environment to support patient flow
• Obtain equipment and supplies and maintain PAR levels

Monitor Surveillance

• Observe cardiac monitors and alert the RN to any deviations
• When assigned to the monitor bank, follow monitor guidelines regarding dress code and professionalism

Infection Control

• Care for patients in isolation
• Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient interaction
• Clean equipment after each patient use

Documentation

• Document vital signs and patient information on nursing databases and flow sheets in a timely manner
• Notify the charge nurse of any relevant findings

Communication and Professionalism

• Communicate effectively with RNs and team members to achieve patient care goals
• Report changes and abnormal findings
• Participate in beginning and end of shift reporting
• Maintain professional relationships with patients and families
• Resolve conflicts with coworkers appropriately
• Support a family-centered care environment
• Communicate with the RN on all patient care activities at least every hour
• Notify the charge nurse when leaving and returning to the unit

Safety and Shared Leadership

• Speak up when team members exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
• Validate and verify information needed for decision-making and documentation
• Stop and resolve situations when uncertain
• Demonstrate accurate, clear, and timely verbal and written communication
• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors, and coworkers
• Practice Stop, Think, Act and Review to self-check behavior and performance
• Keep informed about council meetings and unit issues
• Participate in shared decision-making through unit discussions

Required Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT)
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS)

Skills and Knowledge

• Basic computer skills including typing, use of mouse, and email
• Knowledge of aseptic technique
• Basic calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
• Human relations and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of healthcare experience, preferably in pediatrics
• One semester of clinical experience completed at an accredited school of nursing or military corpsman training

Compensation

• Pay range: $20.75 - $40.99 per hour

The exact pay rate will be based on factors including current market conditions, organizational needs, prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services
• Generous paid time off including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day
• Financial wellness support including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts
• Employer-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans
• Tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, and commuter benefits

Additional Requirements

Children's National Hospital maintains a drug-free workplace policy. Though recreational and medical marijuana are legal in the District of Columbia, the hospital prohibits recreational or prescribed marijuana use by all staff in accordance with its drug-free workplace policy.