Emergency Care Technician - Emergency Department Nights - 36hrs/wk

University of Michigan Health-West•Wyoming, MI

About The Position

The Emergency Care Technician (ECT), under the direction and supervision of the Emergency Department charge nurse or designee, provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to the functioning of the emergency department. The role includes collecting and documenting patient data, taking vital signs, obtaining and processing specimens, using emergency department equipment, assisting with patient movement and personal care, and supporting physicians and nurses during procedures. The ECT also contributes to department safety, quality assurance, communication, teamwork, customer service, and staff training. The position works nights, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., for 36 hours per week, with every-other-weekend coverage and no on-call requirement.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet at least one of the following: current Certified Nurse Aide (CENA) certification; current enrollment and continued progression in a health science program; or equivalent experience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider certification.
Ability to successfully complete unit-specific core competencies defined in the orientation checklist.
Maintain CNA skills and competencies through current ECT experience by working full-time, part-time, or resource hours in the ECT role, if applicable.

Nice To Haves

For health science program enrollment, completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation is preferred.
Basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and patient confidentiality.
Experience in an acute care or extended care facility or clinic.
Equivalent enrollment may include nursing school, pre-PA school, medical school, or a closely related health science program.
Equivalent experience may include Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Medical First Responder, EMT, Nurse Tech, Resident Aid/Assistant, or LPN experience.

Responsibilities

Independently gather patient data during patient care and accurately measure and record vital signs, weight, and height.
Use available equipment and technology to obtain ECGs, apply cardiac monitors, measure temperatures, heart rates, blood pressures, respiratory rates, and pulse oximetry.
Obtain or assist in obtaining blood, urine, stool, and sputum specimens, and safely facilitate laboratory specimen processing.
Perform point-of-care blood glucose testing, urine pregnancy testing, and urine dip analysis.
Use emergency department equipment and supplies safely and effectively, including stretchers, examination lights, capnographer, Bair Hugger, thermometers, and scales.
Move, transfer, reposition, turn, ambulate, and dangle patients safely, using back-saving techniques, patient safety devices, and slideboards as needed; assist with transfers involving hip precautions or traction.
Under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or Emergency Department physician, assist with application, maintenance, and removal of full C-spine precautions.
Assist patients with hygiene, including bathing or skin cleansing, oral or denture care, simple dressing changes, catheter and drainage-tube care, and post-mortem care.
Perform or assist with delegated advanced technical skills, such as urinary catheter insertion and removal; assist physicians with pelvic examinations and procedures involving adult, child, and infant patients.
Apply orthopedic splints, assist with crutches and soft goods, support orthopedic procedures, instruct patients in crutch use, and demonstrate competency in case removal.
Assist with elimination needs, including bedpans, urinals, bedside commodes, urinary drainage bags, and cleansing or retention enemas.
Set up and maintain sterile trays and follow sterile technique.
Apply soft limb, mitt, jacket or vest, and leather restraints; under Registered Nurse direction, monitor restraint efficacy.
Maintain awareness of department supplies and equipment, help assess department needs, use the hospital inventory system, and report malfunctioning equipment for repair or replacement.
When cross-trained based on department needs, function as an Emergency Department Clinical Secretary and perform the essential functions of that role.
Report care given, data collected, and observed patient behaviors and responses to the Registered Nurse; independently document this information using approved forms or systems.
Help maintain a safe emergency department environment, support risk management, follow department and hospital policies, and adhere to universal and standard precautions.
Protect patient privacy and rights and maintain confidentiality of patient information and records.
Participate in emergency department quality assurance activities.
Communicate appropriately with patients and other customers, listen carefully, and demonstrate a positive attitude.
Attend mandatory education programs and job-specific meetings, and attain and maintain required competencies.
Cooperate with 24-hour staffing patterns and scheduling needs.
Support the organization and other departments as a team member, consider the needs of patients and families, and train new staff under the direction of the Emergency Department Educator and ED charge nurse.
Demonstrate punctuality, responsibility for attendance and schedule adherence, initiative in helping others, and exemplary customer service.