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 role’s scope of practice, collects specimens, obtains vital signs, and assists with patient transfers, discharges, registration, and preoperative care. During emergencies, the tech provides materials requested by a registered nurse or physician and documents care. The position also maintains patient confidentiality and supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values. The tech assists patients across pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups; supports patient and family comfort and safety; maintains equipment and unit supplies; and contributes to infection prevention, quality improvement, and compliance activities. The position is full-time at 36 hours per week and is designated as a night-shift role.

Requirements

Current placement on the Maine registry as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Current BLS certification.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to multitask.
Previous acute care experience is preferred.
Knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.
Frequently lift up to 35 pounds independently and frequently push or pull 100 pounds using mechanical and other assistive devices.
Walk, stand, kneel, and bend for most of the work time.
Have the fine motor skills and manual dexterity needed to perform the essential job functions.
Visual acuity correctable to 20/20; color vision and normal hearing acuity are necessary.
Recognize that the role is in Exposure Category I, with risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

Nice To Haves

Previous acute care experience.
Knowledge of medical terminology.

Responsibilities

Provide basic personal hygiene and comfort care, including bathing, skin care, oral hygiene, toileting, and bed making.
Position patients as instructed by the RN and change positions as needed.
Assist with patients’ dietary needs, including serving and setting up trays, feeding as necessary, providing fluids and snacks as instructed, and ensuring NPO orders are followed.
Document intake and output as indicated.
Collect specimens as ordered and instructed.
Obtain assigned patients’ vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, and weights when indicated.
Assist with treatments within the scope of practice, including enemas, perineal care, douches, hot or cold compresses, surgical preparation, 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 the RN with preoperative care and patient discharges as instructed.
Provide patient comfort measures, protect privacy, answer call bells promptly, and support patients and families during the hospital stay.
Complete assigned-patient documentation each shift, including intake and output and vital signs.
Follow procedures to protect the safety of patients, families, visitors, and employees; report changes in condition, requests, or problems to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Maintain confidentiality of patient information and follow infection-prevention practices, including handwashing, aseptic technique, and standard precautions.
Clean utilities and equipment according to procedure and help maintain an orderly unit.
Act rapidly and calmly during emergencies and provide materials requested by the RN or physician.
Cooperate with and assist personnel, patients, and visitors; remain available and accessible while on duty.
Follow attendance, illness-reporting, dress-code, break-time, and schedule requirements, including extending a scheduled shift when necessary to meet patient demands.
Register patients, complete the electronic admission process, assist in obtaining consent signatures, and obtain old records from Health Information as directed.
Maintain an inventory of supplies.
Attend required in-service education programs and staff and department meetings; stay informed by reviewing relevant communications and materials.
Know the disaster, fire, bomb threat, and evacuation plans and the unit-related responsibilities in those plans.
Use patient-handling equipment appropriate to each patient in accordance with the Safe Patient and Handling and Movement Policy.
Perform other assigned duties relevant to the position and department to support age-appropriate quality patient care.
Perform duties safely and comply with safety policies, the Code of Conduct, and applicable policies and procedures.
Maintain current knowledge of the hospital-wide Quality Improvement Program, collaborate with management on department improvement, and participate in directed departmental and hospital-wide quality improvement activities.
Adhere to applicable federal, state, and local statutes and regulations and the organization’s compliance, privacy, and security policies; report compliance or confidentiality concerns to the appropriate manager, Compliance Officer, or Privacy Officer.