Emergency Care Technician - Emergency Department * Nights (7p-7a) - 36hrs/wk

Shift: Days | FTE status: 0.9 | Weekends: Yes

General Summary

The Emergency Department Clinical Technician (ECT), under the direction and supervision of the Emergency Department charge nurse or their designee, provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to the functioning of the emergency department.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Current Certified Nurse Aide (CENA) certification, or current enrollment (and continued progression) in a health‑science program with completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation (preferred).
• Equivalent enrollment may include Nursing School, Pre‑PA School, Medical School, or a closely related health‑science program.
• Equivalent experience may include Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Medical First Responder, EMT, Nurse Tech, Resident Aid/Assistant, or LPN.
• Basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and patient confidentiality (preferred).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider certification required.
• Experience in acute care or extended‑care facility or clinic (preferred).
• Ability to successfully complete unit‑specific core competencies as defined in the orientation checklist.
• Maintain CNA skills and competencies through current ECT experience by working full‑time, part‑time, or resource hours in the ECT role, if applicable.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Independently gather patient data during delivery of care; accurately measure and record vital signs, weight, and height.
• Utilize equipment and technology to obtain ECGs, apply cardiac monitors, measure oral and rectal temperatures, radial and apical heart rates, manual and automatic blood pressures, respiratory rates, and pulse oximetry.
• Obtain and/or assist with obtaining lab specimens (blood, urine, stool, sputum) and facilitate their processing.
• Perform point‑of‑care blood glucose testing, urine pregnancy tests, and urine dip analysis.
• Use emergency department equipment safely and effectively, including stretchers, mobile and overhead examination lights, capnographer, Bair Hugger, thermometers, and scales.
• Move, transfer, and reposition patients safely using back‑saving techniques and patient‑safety devices; assist with turning, ambulating, dangling, and transferring patients to chairs, wheelchairs, and stretchers; demonstrate competence with slideboards and hip‑precaution/traction transfers.
• Assist with application, maintenance, and removal of full C‑spine precautions under direct supervision of RN or physician.
• Perform hygiene tasks (bathing, oral/denture care, simple dressings, catheter care, drainage tube care) and post‑mortem care.
• Perform delegated advanced technical skills such as insertion/removal of urinary catheters; female ECTs may assist physicians with pelvic examinations; assist physicians during procedures by appropriately holding patients of all ages.
• Apply orthopedic splints, crutches, and soft goods; assist physicians during orthopedic procedures; independently instruct patients in crutch use.
• Assist patients with elimination needs, including bedpan/urinal placement, bedside commode assistance, drainage bag measurement, and administration of cleansing/retention enemas.
• Set up and maintain sterile trays; demonstrate understanding of sterile technique.
• Apply soft limb, mitt, jacket/vest, and leather restraints per hospital policy and monitor their efficacy under RN direction.
• Maintain awareness of departmental supplies and equipment; collaborate with ED staff to assess needs and use the inventory system to replenish supplies.
• Identify, report, and ensure repair/replacement of malfunctioning equipment using the hospital system.

Cross Training

Independently functions in the role of Emergency Department Clinical Secretary and performs all essential functions and responsibilities of that position when cross‑trained, based on departmental needs.

Reporting & Documentation

Reports care given, data collected, and observed patient behaviors and responses to the Registered Nurse; independently documents this information using approved hospital and department‑specific forms or systems.

Safety and Risk Management

Assists in maintaining a safe environment within the Emergency Department, understands risk issues, supports risk‑management activities, adheres to department and hospital policies, and follows universal/standard precautions.

Legal Issues – Patient/Family Rights

Maintains patient privacy, protects patient and family rights, and keeps all patient information and records strictly confidential.

Quality Assurance

Participates in quality‑assurance activities within the Emergency Department.

Communication

Portrays a positive attitude using appropriate verbal and non‑verbal communication skills; listens carefully to patients and other customers.

Self Education

Attends mandatory education programs, attains and maintains job‑specific competencies, and participates in Emergency Department and job‑specific meetings.

Staffing

Demonstrates flexibility with 24‑hour staffing patterns and scheduling needs to provide excellent patient care.

Teamwork

Supports the organization, other employees, and departments by working as a team member first and considering self second; under supervision of the Emergency Department Educator and charge nurse, trains new staff to competently perform essential functions and technical skills.

Professionalism

Demonstrates punctuality, responsibility for attendance and schedule adherence, and initiative by seeking opportunities to help others.

Customer Service

Provides exemplary customer service as reflected by HealthStream Research scores.