Patient Care Technician I

T14 Surgical Trauma/Oncology

0.9 full-time, day shifts with rotation, holiday/weekend rotation (36 hrs/week)

Union Position: AFCSME

Posted: 4/6/2026

Are you looking for a patient care support opportunity to start and grow a rewarding healthcare career? UPMC Altoona is looking for a Patient Care Technician I to help support the T14 Surgical Trauma/Oncology unit on day shifts!

About T14 Surgical Trauma/Oncology: 

Tower 14 front: Surgical/Trauma is a fast paced, 23-bed unit specializing in the care of post-surgical adults and low acuity trauma patients. Our unit specializes in caring for patients who have undergone a wide range of abdominal surgeries, as well as general medical cases such as sepsis, renal insufficiency, respiratory conditions, pancreatitis, and a variety acute and chronic illnesses. Tower 14 is also able to provide medical telemetry monitoring for those patients who require this type of care.

Tower 14 back: Medical Oncology & Palliative Care is an 18-bed medical telemetry unit that provides specialized care to both oncology and palliative care patients. There are 5 palliative care suites to accommodate our patients with palliative care needs. Nurses are trained and certified to administer chemotherapy and provide care to patients who may require telemetry monitoring, require neutropenic precautions, and numerous other conditions. Each plan of care for our patients is tailored to meet each of their unique care needs.

As a Patient Care Technician with UPMC, you’ll have a meaningful impact in the care of our patients every day. 

Why choose a PCT role with UPMC Altoona?

• Newly competitive wages & shift differential, including a night shift/weekend shift program to earn additional money
• An incomparable benefit package (found to be 15%25 higher in value than other healthcare employers in our market!)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), plus seven paid holidays each year
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at any accredited institution, available to employees and their dependents

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate awareness of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department.
• Comply with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions and understand policies and procedures for blood borne pathogen exposure.
• Assure equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department.
• Establish appropriate and effective communication strategies.
• Respond within the scope of the nursing assistant role to emergent situations.
• Take action to improve knowledge, skills and performance.
• Provide feedback to the RN regarding patient care and report changes in patient status.
• Strictly adhere to all policies and practices relative to patient care and hospital related information.
• Assume responsibility for assignment and views problems as challenges.
• Identify and communicates learning needs to the unit director.
• Establish professional and respectful interpersonal relationships.
• Maintain an environment conducive to patient safety and recovery including, but not limited to, completing safety checks, keeping the department and patient rooms clean and organized, cleaning department specific equipment, changing bed linens, emptying linen hampers, keeping hallways clear of equipment and returning equipment.
• Request assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed. Participate in self-review as requested by the unit director.
• Suggest and support changes within the department.
• Contribute to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays and transporting patients.
• Provide direct patient care as directed by the RN including all activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting and ambulating patients.
• Acquire and distribute supplies and equipment to facilitate patient care delivery including, but not limited to, performing messenger functions, ordering, charging/crediting supplies, setting up patient care equipment within the scope of the nursing assistant position and stocking patient rooms and unit supply areas.
• Perform routine tests such as blood glucose monitoring, patient weights, vital signs and I&Os.
• Constructively receive feedback and direction.
• Provide companionship/supervision one in one with patients as required.
• Deliver patient nourishments, fill water pitchers and distribute patient mail.
• May apply, monitor and remove patient restraints as per physician or hospital protocol. Provide diversion activities to reduce or prevent use of restraints.
• Document in the medical record according to established procedures.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Direct patient care experience preferred but not required.
• If no previous hospital or pre-hospital training, successful completion of UPMC patient care technician class OR successful completion of the first year of clinical work in a nursing program. 
• Successful completion of basic information system training. 
• Microcomputer experience preferred. 
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Access to medications is limited to the distribution of the medication to the nurse.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran