ED Support Tech - Night Shift

Down East Community Hospital•Machias, ME

About The Position

The ED Support Tech performs nurses’ assistant functions under assignments from the charge nurse. The role provides basic hygiene and comfort measures, assists registered nurses with patient treatments within the technician’s scope of practice, collects specimens, obtains vital signs, and assists with patient transfers, discharges, registration, and preoperative care. During emergencies, the technician promptly provides materials requested by a registered nurse or physician and documents care. The position supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values while maintaining patient confidentiality. The technician supports patients across pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups. Duties also include maintaining supplies and an orderly unit, following infection-prevention and safety procedures, participating in quality-improvement activities and required education, and complying with applicable policies and regulations. This is a full-time, 36-hour-per-week night-shift position.

Requirements

Current placement on the Maine registry as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Current BLS certification.
Previous acute-care experience is preferred.
Ability to perform nurses’ assistant functions under assignments from registered nurses.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to multitask.
Frequently lift up to 35 pounds independently and frequently push or pull 100 pounds using mechanical or other assistive devices.
Walk, stand, kneel, and bend for most of the work time; possess the fine motor skills and manual dexterity needed for essential job functions.
Visual acuity correctable to 20/20, color vision, and normal hearing acuity.
Ability to work in an environment with risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Nice To Haves

Previous acute-care experience.
Knowledge of medical terminology.

Responsibilities

Provide basic personal hygiene and comfort measures, including bathing, skin care, oral hygiene, toileting, and bed making.
Position patients according to registered nurse instructions and change positions as needed.
Assist with dietary needs, including serving and setting up trays, helping with feeding, providing fluids and snacks as instructed, and ensuring patients remain NPO when ordered.
Document patient intake and output, vital signs, and other assigned care each shift.
Collect specimens as ordered and instructed.
Obtain vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, and weights when indicated.
Assist with patient treatments within scope of practice, including enemas, perineal care, douches, hot or cold compresses, surgical preparations, Foley care, ace wraps, and TED stockings.
Assist patients with examinations, procedures, and x-rays.
Use patient-care equipment, including Hoyer lifts, wheelchairs, Geri-chairs, airbeds, restraints, K-pads, and HoverMatts.
Assist registered nurses with preoperative care and patient discharges according to procedures.
Provide patient privacy, answer call bells promptly, and support patients and families during the hospital stay.
Follow procedures to support patient, family, visitor, and employee safety; report patient condition changes, requests, or problems to the primary registered nurse or charge nurse.
Maintain patient confidentiality and follow infection-prevention policies, including handwashing, aseptic technique, and standard precautions.
Clean utilities and equipment according to procedure and help keep the unit orderly.
Act rapidly and calmly during emergencies, providing materials requested by a registered nurse or physician and documenting care.
Cooperate with personnel, patients, and visitors; remain available and accessible while on duty; follow the unit dress code and attendance procedures.
Register patients and complete the electronic admission process; assist in obtaining consent signatures.
Maintain supply inventory and obtain old records from Health Information as directed.
Attend required in-service education programs, staff and department meetings, and participate in quality-improvement activities as directed.
Know the unit-related disaster, fire, bomb-threat, and evacuation plans and the employee’s role in them.
Use patient-handling equipment appropriate to each patient in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling and Movement Policy.
Stay informed by attending meetings and reviewing memos, policies, meeting minutes, newsletters, email, and other relevant information in a timely manner.
Observe appropriate break times and extend a scheduled shift when necessary to meet patient demands.
Perform duties safely and comply with safety policies, the Code of Conduct, and applicable policies and procedures.
Perform other relevant duties as assigned to support age-appropriate quality patient care.