Emergency Department Technician (.9FTE, Days)

POSITION SUMMARY: Serves as an assistant to the Emergency Department (ED) under the direct supervision of the RN in providing patient care in the Emergency Department setting. The Emergency Department tech will augment and perform a variety of direct and indirect patient care duties in order to help provide for the total needs of patients in the Emergency Department. Adheres to Nursing Policies and Procedures and Organizational Goals and Objectives. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Qualified individuals must have the ability (with or without reasonable accommodation) to perform the following duties:

• Provides age appropriate care for the patient population served. For example, gives consideration to growth & developmental phase of life, to age related factors such as thermal regulation, nutrition, safety and functional needs of the patient.
• Uses appropriate resources for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.
• Assists with patient care by preparing patients for exam and treatment: brings patient into appropriate care area as directed, assists with undressing patient per protocol or exposing area for exam as protocols dictate.
• Integrates principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.
• Stocks patient rooms with supplies and removes outdated items.
• Sets up equipment and procedure trays (using sterile and/or unsterile techniques) as necessary to assist physicians and Physician assistants in preparation for suturing and other emergency department procedures (splinting and casting, pelvic examinations).
• Responds to Trauma, Stroke ,and Code R activations assisting with patient care
• Bathes patients and provides assistance with hygiene. Changes incontinent patients promptly and provides appropriate skin care.
• Empties bedpans, urinals, commodes, and assists patient to the bathroom.
• Distributes nourishments as scheduled.
• Measures and records intake and output.
• Positions patients correctly, aligns and supports torso and limbs as directed and per patient comfort. Transports patients via wheelchair or stretcher using safety measures appropriate for patient and vehicle.
• Makes hourly rounds for patient safety and customer service. Responds to patient call lights in a timely manner.
• Assists visitors to the unit in finding patient rooms, staff members and other resources. Checks with the RN as necessary for visitors
• Properly collect and label specimen(s) for lab completion
• Inventories patient belongings at admission, transfer and discharge.
• Provides 1:1 patient supervision in “Sitter” role for patient safety and suicide precautions.
• Communicates clearly and with courtesy with all members of healthcare team, following lines of authority, as appropriate.
• Keeps track of patient location, communicates to RN, other healthcare providers and patient’s family.
• May perform the following per policies and clinical protocols (but not limited to):
  • 12 Lead EKG
  • ear and eye irrigations
  • visual acuity screenings
  • wound care, dressing and ice packs
  • pacemaker interrogation tests
  • ETOH testing
  • splinting, Hare traction, crutch teaching, cane and walker education for patients
  • vital signs and weights measurement
  •  chest leads for patients on cardiac monitoring, and performs basic troubleshooting, such as replacing loose or missing electrodes. 
  • LUCAS Device to ensure successful Compressions required for CPR
  • cardiac monitor for hardwire cardiac monitoring systems.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: The following duties are considered secondary to the primary duties listed above:

• Serves as a preceptor and mentor for new employees.
• Assists patients with meals, feeds patients as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED).

• Previous training or experience in a position in a healthcare setting

• Basic computer skills with ability to complete data entry on clinical documentation screens.
• CPR certification.
• ACT 73 - PA State Clearances

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Phlebotomy and EKG skills.
• Training and/or experience at an acute care or skilled nursing facility or student nurse with hospital based clinical experience. 
• Safe Patient Handling education.