Steven Longoria

A Trauma ICU (Intensive Care Unit) Patient Care Technician (PCT) plays a critical role in supporting the healthcare team and providing essential care to patients in critical conditions

The specific duties may vary depending on the hospital's policies, but generally include:

• Vital Sign Monitoring: Regularly monitor and record vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature to track the patient's condition.
• Patient Assessment: Assist in assessing the overall condition of trauma ICU patients, reporting any changes or concerns promptly to the nursing and medical staff.
• Assistance with Procedures: Support medical procedures and interventions, including insertions of IV's, wound care, insertion of catheters, and other treatments under the direction of registered nurses or physicians.
• Mobility and Positioning: Help with patient positioning to prevent complications such as pressure ulcers and assist with turning immobile patients to maintain their comfort and prevent complications.
• Basic Nursing Care: Provide basic nursing care, including bathing, dressing, and assisting with personal hygiene to ensure the patient's comfort and well-being.
• Patient Advocacy: Serve as an advocate for patients by communicating their needs, preferences, and concerns to the healthcare team.
• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Aid patients in performing essential activities of daily living, such as eating, drinking, and maintaining personal hygiene.
• Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with nurses, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team regarding patient status and any changes in condition.
• Equipment Operation: Operate and monitor medical equipment, such as ventilators, cardiac monitors, and infusion pumps, ensuring they are functioning correctly.
• Documentation: Accurately document patient information, including vital signs
• Emergency Response: Assist during emergencies, participating in code blue situations, and implementing established protocols for patient stabilization.
• Trauma ICU Patient Care Technicians need to be adaptable, compassionate, and capable of working in a fast-paced, high-stress environment
• They collaborate closely with the nursing and medical team to ensure the delivery of optimal care to critically ill patients.

• Assessed and Analyzed Patients and assisted with preparation of traction equipment and all other specialized equipment; prepare surgical sites by arranging appropriate equipment for orthopedic surgeries
• Applied and removed fiberglass, plaster cast, splints and apply traction for hospitalized trauma patients
• Assessments of tractions (while in use) and report findings to a physician
• Assist in all Trauma codes, stabilized cervical collar and spinal cord of patients, assess for any deformities in bones and stabilize fractions until all other medical problems are ruled out.
• Effective communication to chain of command personnel to problem solve for more complex emergencies
• Education to Patient and Family of proper use of specialized equipment and how to properly maintain safety while equipment is in use