ED Patient Care Technician

Reports to clinical manager and under the general direction and supervision of the professional staff, assists in providing care to Emergency Department patients and their families from arrival to departure. Performs a variety of clerical and patient care assistive duties as a member of the health care team.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization’s values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence as these guide everyday actions with patients, customers, and one another. In addition, all employees are expected to demonstrate core success factors which include how we work and collaborate: Instill Trust, Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate.

Responsibilities

• Assigned to any area within the emergency department.
• Collaborates with the registered nurse to set priorities and organize work.
• Communicates all pertinent observations to the responsible registered nurse.
• Administers direct physical care and assists with activities of daily living (ADLs).
• Performs selected procedures and treatments according to standards and protocols.
• Assists with admissions, transfers, and discharge of patients.
• Collects tests, records, and reports selected specimen data; reports findings to registered nurse.
• Sets up cardiac monitoring devices according to procedure; assists with cardiac monitoring and runs 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG).
• Utilizes side rails, restraints, and assistive devices when available and necessary.
• Records selected procedures for which she/he is responsible.
• Maintains patient and family confidentiality according to established hospital standards.
• Serves as an active patient/family advocate; supports and reinforces teaching done by the registered nurse.
• Performs other duties within scope of care as assigned.
• Identifies cardiopulmonary arrest and initiates CPR.
• Demonstrates adherence to universal precautions, safety programs, and other infection control measures.
• Reviews fire, disaster, and infection control manuals.
• Demonstrates ability to perform responsibilities in emergency/code situations.
• Reports unsafe situations to the registered nurse or clinical manager.
• Lifts correctly to avoid harm to self; utilizes assistive devices when available.
• Maintains an environment conducive to patient comfort and safety.
• Exercises proper care in the use of equipment and reports need for repair to appropriate person.
• Adheres to fall precaution and constant observation protocols as assigned.
• Organizes and prioritizes workload based on patient and unit/clinic needs.
• Files reports in charts accurately and maintains medical records.
• Answers phones and intercom using proper etiquette; notifies appropriate staff.
• Utilizes hospital computer systems accurately to execute orders, retrieve data, and generate reports.
• Reports computer and equipment malfunctions to the help desk.
• Accurately uses all existing computer systems and any new systems necessary to carry out job duties.
• Faxes completed authorization forms for protected health information and files received faxes in patient records.
• Manages multiple tasks and rapidly switches between tasks when necessary.
• Takes responsibility for educational updates by attending education sessions and accessing the Net Learning website.
• Meets and maintains competencies measured by annual mandatory competency checks and mandatory/safety education.
• Adheres to established RIH/Unit standards, policies, and procedures (absenteeism, tardiness, badging, mandatory education, fire, safety, infection control, credentialing, HIPAA, and confidentiality guidelines).
• Pages physicians and others via the hospital page system, computer alpha paging, and the hospital emergency operator to page codes.
• Performs all aspects of the Secretary role accurately, including patient types of codes, discharge dispositions, observation and inpatient status, patient services charges, calls consults when indicated, updates dietary rounds reports.
• Understands and performs appropriate IS downtime procedures.
• Effectively prepares rooms and patients for physicians and nurses.
• Provides precise technical skills in performing tasks such as EKGs, pulse oximetry, phlebotomy, minor non-sterile dressings, finger sticks, etc.
• Provides assistance to physicians and nurses on procedures including suture placement/removal, dressing changes, line placement, endoscopic procedures, bone marrow, lumbar puncture, biopsies, NG tube insertions, etc.
• Assists in positioning/holding patients for invasive procedures such as lumbar puncture and bone marrow.
• Completes vital signs per hospital policy or as ordered by physician/RN request.
• Documents patient’s reported pain using appropriate pain scale.
• Refers to registered nurse or physician all patients with medical issues; handles/refs non-medical needs.
• Works effectively during downtimes to keep work flowing.
• Collects, labels, and documents patient belongings; secures belongings appropriately.
• Utilizes sound judgment to recognize level of urgency and responds appropriately.
• Handles potentially critical situations with speed and sensitivity.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
• Entry-level credentialing of secretarial and nursing assistant skills.
• Current Rhode Island registrations as a certified Nursing Assistant or graduate of a Medical Assistant training program (9 months or longer; curriculum must include sterile conscience sepsis).
• Certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS).
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout Brown University Health, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills.
• Able to multi-task in order to perform a variety of complex duties.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Read, write legibly, and speak English.
• Basic knowledge of the hospital’s patient care delivery orientation program.

Working Environment and Physical Conditions

• Exposed to patient care environment with frequent standing, walking, and sitting.

Independent Action

Performs independently within department policies and practices. Refers specific, complex problems to supervisor where clarification of department policies and procedures may be required.

Pay

$23.20-$23.66 per hour

Schedule

• 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM
• Every other weekend and holidays
• Day shift