While interacting directly with the patient, a patient care technician is responsible for assisting doctors, nurses, and other support staff. The patient care technician is the member of the health care team who has the most direct contact with the patient. A patient care assistant or nurse’s aide is another name for this position.
Patient care technicians work in three areas of health care: vital health information recording, sample collection, and patient assistance. All three areas are crucial for patient monitoring, obtaining accurate information to manage the patient’s health, and providing primary, physical patient care. Candidates must have a combination of education and experience to work as a patient care technician.
Basic health information, such as weight, height, and vital signs, should be recorded. The key indicators of health are vital signs, which change over time as a patient’s condition improves or deteriorates. Pulse, respiration, blood pressure, temperature, and responsiveness are some of these indicators. Accurate record keeping is required because doctors and nurses use this information to assess a patient’s health.
Sample collection is required to complete the tests that the doctor has ordered. Blood, urine, stool, hair, skin, and saliva are among the samples taken patient care technicians. To avoid contamination with other materials, these samples must be collected according to strict guidelines. The consistency of sample collection with approved methods determines the quality of test results.
Feeding patients and filling water and ice containers to keep them hydrated are examples of patient assistance. Mobility issues account for a significant portion of daily problems. This includes assisting patients with turning in bed, transferring from bed to wheelchair and back, and walking. Personal hygiene assistance, such as bathing and dressing, is also required for some patients.
You must complete a training program at a community or career college to become a patient care technician. These programs usually last four to twelve weeks and cover everything needed to complete the tasks of this position. A certificate in first aid is included in this program.
When working as a patient care technician, you will gain experience on the job. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers all have openings for this position. Many people begin their careers in this field before returning to school to pursue a career as a practical nurse. A practical nurse has more responsibilities, a broader skill set, and a higher salary than a registered nurse.