ED Technician

Summary

The Emergency Department Technician (ED tech) is responsible for assisting in the Emergency Department and Observation Unit for direct patient care under the guidance and direction of a Registered Nurse. Tasks are based on accepted standards of emergency and outpatient practice and are performed within the scope of education, training and experience of the ED Tech. An ED tech is responsible for orienting and assisting in the training of new staff and students. He/She must be competent and apply knowledge in aseptic technique, laboratory services, and orthopedic and minorsurgical procedures. An ED tech demonstrates competence in handling the infant pediatric age group, adolescent age group, and adult geriatric age group.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

• Demonstrate skill and judgment necessary to implement interventions and procedures necessary for total patient care as delegated by the RN
• Perform concepts of aseptic technique according to the hospital policy and procedures and the aseptic technique competency:
• Wipe down all treatment surfaces in unit with approved solution
• Report break in aseptic technique immediately to the Charge Nurse
• Discard contaminated items immediately and notify Charge Nurse
• Follow established routines and utilizes supplies and equipment in a cost-effective manner
• Restocks supplies and equipment, keeping all bedside areas clean.
• Demonstrate the ability to operate equipment in the Emergency Department and Observation Unit
• Demonstrates competency in operating electrocardiogram equipment including loading graph paper
• Perform orthostatic blood pressures
• Perform blood glucose monitoring, urine pregnancy test, urine dipstick
• Perform Bladder scans
• Prepare STD/wet prep exams
• Transport specimens to lab as required
• Collect urinalysis according to departmental procedure
• Perform phlebotomy services on all patients
• Prepare specimens to be sent to consulting laboratories
• Acknowledge, "collect" and correlate identified specimens and deliver to proper laboratory department
• Interpret physician orders for laboratory testing
• Perform computer data entry for lab specimens
• Obtain blood products from Blood Bank
• Assist physician and/or physician assistant with closed reduction procedures
• Assist physician and/or physician assistant during orthopedic procedures
• Demonstrate crutch walking to patients
• Apply splints
• Assist in fitting and applying patients with orthopedic equipment
• Assist physician and/or physician assistant with suturing/stapling
• Remove sutures/staples under the direction of the RN, physician assistant or physician.
• Insertion of Foley Catheters based on current infection control guidelines
• Removal of Foley catheters
• May assist with enemas
• Insertion of Peripheral Intravenous Therapy
• Remove peripheral intravenous lines and intraosseous access
• Transport patients within the hospital
• Ensure that vital signs are taken and recorded as directed
• Accurately notify nurse and appropriate health care team of pertinent changes in patient's condition
• Initiate basic definitive care or life support measures under the supervision of an RN
• Input physician orders and document vital signs and procedures performed
• Assist nurse with triage vital signs on patient and charts; reports specific observations to RN
• Follow proper procedure for quick registering/arriving patients in electronic medical record system upon arrival to emergency department/observation.
• Communicate appropriate triage data to charge nurse/staff nurse in order for them to determine bed placement
• Bring patients in from waiting areas based on the direction of charge nurse or triage nurse, and prepares them for examination
• Document/report clinical finding to RN in complete fashion
• Initiate care and standards of patient care for specific injuries and illnesses as directed by staff and standing protocols
• Assist EMS/RN staff with transferring of patients to beds
• Attend required hospital-wide orientations, staff meetings, and in-services
• Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent with post-training as either a Certified Nursing Assistant, EMT, Paramedic, Phlebotomist, Medical Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, or are a Nursing or EMS student

Preferred Education: Not applicable

Experience: 2+ years' experience in direct patient care environment, an acute care facility, corpsman experience, or formal phlebotomy/laboratory/EMT/paramedic training; must demonstrate competency in aseptic technique, cardiac arrhythmias, laboratory services, and orthopedic and minor surgical procedures

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Applicant must hold a current BLS certification