Emergency Department Technician - Emergency Department, Per Diem, Night Shift

About the role

The ED Technician (ED Tech) plays a vital role in the Emergency Department at Island Health, supporting the mission to care for those who care for others. This dual role position combines the roles of a Nursing Assistant (NA-C) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with operational coordination responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Transports patients to rooms/treatment rooms, using a wheelchair or stretcher, or escorts them into the department.
• Obtains and documents vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, and pain level.
• Places appropriate patients on the cardiac monitor.
• Answers call lights and determines patients' needs.
• Affords assistance to patients as needed (dressing and undressing, assisting with toileting, etc.).
• Affords procedural assistance, such as pelvic exams, chest tube placements, wound care, laceration repair, and closed reduction of limbs.
• Changes linens, tidies and cleans patient rooms as needed.
• Cleans, stocks equipment and/or supplies and instruments.
• Maintains supply and inventory in stocking rooms.
• Performs point of care (POC) testing and charts results per protocol.
• Performs echocardiogram (ECG) on patients in a timely manner.
• Affords assistance with splinting, crutch adjustment, and visual acuity testing.
• Affords the care of patients across the full spectrum of emergency conditions.
• Performs post-mortem care with respect and dignity.
• Maintains working knowledge of helipad process and procedures regarding safe patient handling.
• May assist with arranging inpatient and outpatient exams such as x-rays, labs, office appointments, cardiac testing, sleep studies, echocardiograms, consults, and coordinating with external partners for patient care.
• Obtains laboratory specimens within their training and scope.
• Affords assistance with accurate registration of Emergency Department patients in coordination with Patient Registration.
• Provides excellent patient care within the limits of their training and scope practice at Island Health.
• Communicates effectively with patients, their significant others, and team members to ensure effective intervention.
• Uses assigned communication devices.
• Inputs written physician orders into the electronic medical record (EMR) when necessary to expedite patient care.
• Obtains results of tests and places on patient chart as needed.
• Documents appropriately in the EMR.
• Assembles patient charts.
• Obtains previous charts and medical records.
• Checks for completeness of patient record including consent, test results, transfer agreements, signatures, etc.
• Copies chart as directed when patient is transferred.
• Verifies discharge sheet against admission sheet for accuracy and return of valuables such as glasses, hearing aids and items stored in the valuables safe.
• Distributes charts of discharged patients and distributes appropriately.
• Transports specimens to lab.
• Directs patients/visitors.
• Picks up STAT items from Materials Management.

Requirements

• Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant (NA-C) course of study or completion of education at the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic level or higher.
• Current NA-C or Washington State EMT Certification.
• If working under an EMT Certification, must obtain MA-EMT Certification and maintain during employment.
• Current Basic Life Support Certification.
• One (1) year of Emergency Department or ambulance experience strongly preferred.
• Possesses a comprehensive understanding of work flows within the Emergency Department.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
• Ability to prioritize and re-prioritize appropriately.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and be flexible when priorities change.
• Adaptable to stressful high-volume and high-acuity situations, while maintaining an even temperament and calm demeanor.
• Maintain positive interactions with peers, co-workers, hospital leaders, community agency partners, patients, and visitors.