Patient Care Technicians – Oncology Division – UPMC Shadyside

Are you looking to establish a fulfilling, hands-on health care career while elevating patients’ experience? As a full-time Nursing Assistant or Patient Care Technician with UPMC Oncology units, you’ll make a meaningful difference on our team by working with our Life Changers to provide high-quality patient care. Build relationships with patients as you help them find comfort in a safe environment. 

UPMC Shadyside, a Magnet-designated hospital, is currently hiring Full-Time Patient Care Technicians and Nursing Assistants to support one of the units within the hospital’s Oncology Service Line: 2 Pav/2 South, 4 Main, or 5 Main, 6 Main, 6 west, 7 Main, (unit descriptions below). 

Shadyside’s Medicine Service Line:

• 2 Pavilion/South- are fast-paced hematology/oncology units that are advancing cancer care. Nurses in this unit specialize in centralizing the care of medically managed patients who have received chemotherapy treatments but will not administer chemotherapy treatments. Ongoing education is valued, supported, and encouraged on both 2 Pavilion and 2 South making them great units for both graduate and experienced nurses seeking to expand their clinical knowledge
• 4 Main Surgical Oncology – Surgical oncology nursing encompasses patients who are recovering from post-surgical procedures for the treatment of life-altering cancers. These surgical procedures include cytoreductive (debulking) surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy treatment, whipple procedures, colon resections, liver resections, and other abdominal/rectal procedures. 
• 5 Main Medical Oncology – 5 Main is an oncology unit that specializes in the care of patients with cancer and blood disorders. 5 Main offers revolutionary cancer treatment and actively participates in oncology research. It is a fast-paced unit that is advancing cancer care
• 6 Main Medical Oncology Overflow– 6 Main is a Medical Oncology unit specializing in a wide range of oncological diagnoses and is at the forefront of research. This is a ground unit for new and experienced nurses to develop and be a part of the future of cancer care.
• 6 West Stem Cell Transplant– 6 West is an oncology unit that specializes in stem cell transplants, car-t cell infusions, and cutting-edge research.  It is a fast-paced unit that is moving cancer care forward. Patient diagnoses include a robust oncology population specializing in hematological cancers.
• 7 Main Hematology/Oncology– 7 Main is a 27-bed hematology-oncology unit specializing in the treatment of leukemia. The length of stay is long for most patients on 7 Main, so we have a family resource lounge as well as rehab equipment directly on the unit.

Unit placement will be determined by candidate preference and current hospital needs. Please specify which unit is your preference in the questionnaire when applying to the position. 

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. 

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 Shadyside 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.

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.
• All competencies must be achieved.
• 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.
• Constructively receives feedback and direction.
• Takes action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
• 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.
• Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job.