ED Patient Care Technician

Brown Medicine•Cranston, RI

32d•$23 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The ED Patient Care Technician reports to the clinical manager and, under the general direction and supervision of professional staff, assists with care for Emergency Department patients and their families from arrival through departure. The role performs clerical and patient-care support duties as part of the health care team and may be assigned to any area within the Emergency Department. The technician works collaboratively with registered nurses and other clinicians, delivers care within department policies and protocols, supports patient and family needs, and contributes to safe, efficient patient flow. The position includes direct patient care and selected procedures, emergency and safety responsibilities, clerical and computer-based duties, and assistance to physicians and nurses during examinations and procedures. The technician is expected to uphold Brown University Health’s mission and values, protect confidentiality, maintain required competencies, and complete education and safety requirements. The position works on a 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. schedule, including every other weekend and holiday, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.

Requirements

Current Rhode Island registration as a Certified Nursing Assistant, or graduation from a medical assistant training program of nine months or longer; the stated curriculum should include sterile conscience sepsis.
Certification in basic cardiac life support (BLS).
Entry-level credentialing in secretarial and nursing assistant skills.
Demonstrated knowledge and skills to provide care to patients across age and developmental stages, with consideration of aging processes and cultural patterns throughout care.
Effective interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to multitask and perform a variety of complex duties.
Basic computer skills.
Ability to read, write legibly, and speak English.

Nice To Haves

High school graduation or equivalent is preferred.
Basic knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.
Basic knowledge of the hospital’s patient care delivery orientation program.

Responsibilities

Assist in providing care to Emergency Department patients and their families from arrival through departure, and perform duties within the technician’s scope of care.
Collaborate with the registered nurse to set priorities and organize work; communicate pertinent observations and report findings to the registered nurse.
Provide direct physical care and assist patients with activities of daily living.
Perform selected procedures and treatments according to standards and protocols, including EKGs, pulse oximetry, phlebotomy, minor non-sterile dressings, finger sticks, and vital signs.
Assist with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges; collect, label, document, and secure patient belongings.
Collect specimens, record and report selected specimen data, and document assigned procedures.
Set up cardiac monitoring devices, assist with cardiac monitoring, and run 12-lead EKGs.
Assist physicians and nurses with procedures, including suture placement or removal, complex dressing changes, line placement, endoscopic procedures, bone marrow procedures, lumbar punctures, biopsies, and NG tube insertions; position or hold patients as needed.
Document patients’ reported pain using the appropriate pain scale and refer medical issues to a registered nurse or physician.
Use side rails, restraints, and assistive devices when available and necessary; follow fall precautions and constant-observation protocols as assigned.
Identify cardiopulmonary arrest and initiate CPR; respond appropriately in emergency and code situations.
Follow universal precautions, infection-control measures, safety programs, and established hospital policies; report unsafe situations and equipment repair needs to appropriate staff.
Maintain an environment conducive to patient comfort and safety, use equipment properly, and lift correctly, using assistive devices when available.
Maintain patient and family confidentiality and serve as an active patient and family advocate; support and reinforce teaching provided by the registered nurse.
Organize and prioritize workload according to patient and unit needs, manage multiple tasks, and adapt to changes and downtimes to keep work flowing.
File reports accurately in charts and maintain medical records; answer phones and intercoms, notify appropriate staff, and page physicians and others using hospital paging systems.
Use hospital computer systems to execute orders, retrieve data, generate reports, and perform other department tasks; report computer or equipment malfunctions to the help desk and follow information-systems downtime procedures.
Fax and receive protected health information authorization forms and other information, and file received information in patient records.
Perform Secretary role tasks accurately, including entering patient types and codes, discharge disposition codes, observation and inpatient status, patient-service charges, consult calls when indicated, and dietary-rounds report updates.
Prepare rooms and patients for physicians and nurses; handle non-medical needs or refer them appropriately.
Attend education sessions, access the Net Learning website, and maintain competencies through annual mandatory competency checks and required safety education.
Perform other duties as assigned.