PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN

Technical Standards

The prospective patient care technician student must possess sufficient strength, motor coordination, and manual dexterity to:

• Provide quality care as it pertains to performing patient care skills. 
• Stand and walk for 85% of the time. 
• Tolerate bending, reaching, and repetitive hand movements intermittently throughout most of the workday. 
• Stand in various positions, and lift and carry approximately 30 lbs. daily.
• Perform transfer techniques and assist patients into various positions as needed. 
• Move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
• Perform EKG procedures and take vital signs for all patients according to established standards. 
• Prepare injections and perform venipunctures and CPR.

The prospective patient care technician student must:

• Possess gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective care.
• Possess auditory skills sufficient to monitor and observe health needs
• Be able to use senses (vision, hearing, smell, and touch) to recognize changes regarding a patient’s condition and needs.

Health Standards

The prospective patient care technician student must be able to consistently demonstrate emotional, mental, and physical health to:

• Meet the demands of the job including handling stressful situations related to technical and procedural standards and patient care situations.
• Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively and respectfully with patients, families, supervisors, and coworkers of the same or different cultures.
• Maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously.           
• Carry out all assigned duties.
• Maintain personal hygiene consistent with close personal contact associated with patient care.

Communication Standards

The prospective patient care technician student must be able to consistently demonstrate effective communication skills to:

• Accurately listen to patient needs, relay necessary information to family members and others, and communicate with healthcare team members.