Starting new PCT job tomorrow...

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

Probably too late for tips on your first day but planning for 8 or more patients is a pain. I made my own form so I could check off tasks I did and remember what I need to document. I also use a pocket sized notepad to help me create a to do list, especially when someone calls me to another room when I in the middle of doing something else. If you are training with an experienced PCT they probably never write anything down and will tell you it's easy to remember, but as a new person it will take time so develop a system. I only been doing PCT work 2 months, I still write things down.

AmberK1026, ADN, BSN · Aug 5, 2014

Today went pretty well however 12 hrs on my feet are BRUTAL! Im going to have to find better shoes :)

tnicnat · Aug 5, 2014

I had to get shoes with memory foam, your right 12 hours can be brutal. I go in about 15 to 30 min early so I can pull reports on my patients, see who my nurses are and get report from them and I stay at least the same amt of time after to give report. I've been a tech for awhile now and I always write notes, what needs to be done, I's and O's, etc. I have to wonder about charting if someone doesn't write things down.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2014

I had to get shoes with memory foam, your right 12 hours can be brutal. I go in about 15 to 30 min early so I can pull reports on my patients, see who my nurses are and get report from them

See now thats something I dont agree with. Do you clock in to get report? I arrive on time while some PCTs also go in early, essentially working of the clock. I understand arriving early is good job habit but working of the clock makes things unfair for everyone.

PC0229 · Aug 10, 2014

See now thats something I dont agree with. Do you clock in to get report? I arrive on time while some PCTs also go in early, essentially working of the clock. I understand arriving early is good job habit but working of the clock makes things unfair for everyone.

I start orientation for my PCA job on the 25th and I was informed by the nurse manager who hired me that I have to get there 30 mins early (6:30 pm) for report, every shift, but I won't be on the clock until 7:00 pm. Although I'm eager to please, do well, and advance my clinical experience...I know this is wrong/illegal to require your employees to work off the clock. The truth is I would have probably done so anyways so I could be ready to go at shift change, but I don't like that it is mandatory. However, at this stage, beggars can't be choosers and I consider myself fortunate to have obtained the position. :/

funtimes · Aug 10, 2014

I start orientation for my PCA job on the 25th and I was informed by the nurse manager who hired me that I have to get there 30 mins early (6:30 pm) for report, every shift, but I won't be on the clock until 7:00 pm. Although I'm eager to please, do well, and advance my clinical experience...I know this is wrong/illegal to require your employees to work off the clock. The truth is I would have probably done so anyways so I could be ready to go at shift change, but I don't like that it is mandatory. However, at this stage, beggars can't be choosers and I consider myself fortunate to have obtained the position. :/

Get used to stuff like this as a tech. I've always been docked half an hour pay for lunch, but its pretty rare I get the chance to take half an hour. In fact I'm lucky sometimes if I get any lunch...during a 12 hour shift. I pretty much leave after giving report at the end of my shift, but many new techs will stay quite a while after to try to catch up on the charting they never had time to do, or to make sure something important wasn't missed. This is in addition to some techs coming in really early. So you get some who work 8 hours donating nearly an hour and a half to the hospital. Its crazy. RNs will do this too but they make like 3 times what a tech makes.

To be realistic I doubt you'll find the experienced techs come in half an hour early, this is probably something they tell new techs but after a while nobody does it would be my guess. It doesn't take half an hour to get report and if you aren't on the clock its not like you are going to helping with call lights and stuff.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2014

there's 2 or 3 experienced techs who come in like 30min to 1 hour early without clocking in, I found this outwhen iasked one how do they do itwith the workload in the morning. She suggested i come in early too, i said no way im doing that. Employdrs has federal policies against that but noone is speaking up. I think women are doing themselve injustice. Nursing has not had a major pay increase in 20 years cause of crap like this.

RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2014

I clock in at 0645 and take report, which only takes a few minutes. I start vitals around 7:30 so that gives me 45 minutes to take report, fill out my brain sheet (usually 12 patients), etc. Plenty of time!

AmberK1026, ADN, BSN · Aug 13, 2014

My shift is 6a-6p and we are not required to come in early to get report. We get report at 6, start vitals, do employee huddle at 6:40 and then afterwards get back on the floor and finish up vitals.