Stuart Surgery Center - RN PreOp/PACU

Position Summary

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides direct patient care and clinical support within the Ambulatory Surgery Center under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The PCT assists with maintaining patient comfort, safety, dignity, and efficient patient flow throughout the surgical experience.

Responsibilities include assisting patients with dressing, providing refreshments when appropriate, transporting and escorting patients, assisting with discharge activities, and completing delegated patient-care and departmental tasks within the PCT's training and scope of responsibility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and assistance under the direction and supervision of an RN.
• Assist patients with dressing and other activities of daily living as needed while maintaining privacy and dignity.
• Assist with patient positioning, mobility, and transfers in accordance with facility safety practices.
• Escort and/or transport patients safely throughout the surgery center as directed.
• Assist with escorting discharged patients from the clinical area to the designated discharge area and/or vehicle in accordance with facility policy.
• Provide hands-on assistance as appropriate during patient transfers and discharge to promote safety and help prevent falls.
• Provide approved snacks, beverages, and other comfort measures to patients when authorized by the RN and appropriate for the patient's post-procedure status.
• Assist with maintaining patient comfort and immediately report changes, concerns, or unusual observations to the RN.
• Respond promptly and courteously to patient needs and requests.
• Accept assignments, delegation, and direction from RNs and complete delegated tasks within training, competency, facility policy, and applicable scope of practice.
• Communicate completion of delegated tasks and report any concerns or inability to complete an assigned task to the RN.
• Assist nursing staff with preparing patient-care areas for admissions, procedures, recovery, and discharge.
• Maintain clean, organized, stocked, and patient-ready clinical areas.
• Assist with stocking supplies, linens, wheelchairs, stretchers, and other patient-care equipment.
• Follow infection-prevention practices, including appropriate hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Follow established patient identification, fall-prevention, and safety procedures.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and facility privacy requirements.
• Demonstrate professional, compassionate, and respectful communication with patients, families, physicians, staff, and visitors.
• Participate in required education, competency assessments, safety training, and facility meetings.
• Perform other patient-care and departmental duties as assigned and appropriately delegated by the RN or clinical leadership.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous patient-care experience in a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, physician office, nursing facility, or other healthcare setting preferred.
• Patient Care Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, or similar healthcare experience preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• BLS certification must be maintained throughout employment in accordance with facility requirements.
• Must complete facility-required orientation, training, and competency validation before independently performing assigned patient-care duties.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to provide compassionate and respectful patient care.
• Ability to follow instructions and accept appropriate delegation from an RN.
• Ability to recognize and promptly report changes or concerns regarding a patient's condition.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary surgical team.
• Understanding of basic infection-prevention and patient-safety practices.
• Ability to prioritize assigned responsibilities in a fast-paced ambulatory surgical environment.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods; bend, reach, push, and pull; assist with patient mobility and transfers; push wheelchairs and stretchers; and lift or assist with lifting within facility-established requirements. Appropriate assistance and patient-handling equipment should be utilized when necessary.

Patient Safety and Scope of Practice

The PCT works under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel. The PCT does not independently assess patients, make clinical judgments, administer medications, or perform duties requiring nursing licensure. All delegated activities must be consistent with the employee's demonstrated competency, facility policies, applicable regulations, and the direction of the supervising RN.