ED Communication Tech

UPMC•Altoona, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The ED Communication Tech receives incoming calls for patients arriving at the Emergency Department with appropriate customer service skills. This may include ambulance calls, physician offices, or extended care. In addition, coordinates all transports and transfers from the Emergency Department to the next level of care. Assists with quality assurance monitoring within the department regarding communication and documentation.

Requirements

High School Diploma, GED required.
Successful completion of the Paramedic Program as a minimum qualification.
Maintains required Continuing Education Credits annually for paramedic status
Must show evidence of continuing education credits in the past year through the Emergency Medical System Council.
Adapt to constant change inherent in healthcare.
Maintain good working relationships with the Medical Staff, Administration, and other departmental personnel who are involved in the care of patients.
Meets requirements of the job.
Appropriate customer relations skills to include tone of voice on the phone, timely responses, obtaining needed information
Certification in BLS according to the level of training. CPR is required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting
Act 33 with renewal
Act 34 with renewal
Act 73 FBI Clearance

Responsibilities

Maintains understanding and knowledge of requirements and appropriate collaboration with prehospital providers in the emergency department setting. Notes any deviation in prehospital provider communication to the appropriate management in the Emergency Department for follow-up.
Coordinates all transports and transfers from the Emergency Department to the next level of care daily.
Communicates appropriate information from calls received to the assigned staff member / clinical manager. Updates the department patient tracking board to ensure patients' beds are assigned immediately when available.
Documents all calls received or made regarding patient arrival, discharge, or transfer of inappropriate Emergency Department medical records. Assures all necessary paperwork is completed at transfer.
On an as-needed basis, can perform patient care as needed such as venipuncture, EKG, and activities of daily living for the patient
Adheres to universal precautions and complies with established occupational exposure policies.
Assists with department Continuous Performance Improvement / Quality Assurance as assigned daily.
Maintains department and equipment in an orderly fashion, cleaning, restocking, and orders as necessary. Maintains instruments and trays as assigned.
Receives incoming calls for patients appropriately arriving at the Emergency Department with good customer service skills. This may include ambulance calls; physician offices or extended care facilities daily. Verbal and nonverbal Communication must be appropriate displaying strong customer service skills.
Escorts patients to and from Departments as assigned. Assists patient in bed, turning, lifting, positioning, and ambulating.
Participates in patient care conferences providing input in patient care planning and patient/family teaching, and CPI processes.
Maintains proficiency/competency in patient care testing as defined in the evaluation criteria established by the lab.
Assists as directed in the role of bed assignment for patients arriving at the Emergency Department with the direction of the Clinical Manager and/or Triage Nurse. This includes monitoring the patient tracking board to facilitate patient flow within the department.
Observes, reports, and documents all unusual symptoms, condition changes, and care delivered according to DEM policy
Utilizes restraints and protective mechanisms as necessary and documents appropriately.