Emergency Care Technician - Emergency Department Nights (7p-7a) - 24hrs/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 position works nights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., 24 hours per week, with weekend work required and no on-call duty. The role includes patient-care duties, documentation, safety and quality activities, teamwork, and customer service. Depending on department needs, ECTs may be cross-trained to function as an Emergency Department Clinical Secretary; not all ECTs will be cross-trained. ECTs may also train new staff under the supervision and direction of the Emergency Department Educator and ED charge nurse.

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.
Successfully complete unit-specific core competencies as 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.
Demonstrate the ability to perform the technical, patient-care, documentation, safety, communication, and teamwork duties described for the role.

Nice To Haves

For health science program enrollment, completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation is preferred.
Equivalent health science program 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.
Basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and patient confidentiality is preferred.
Experience in an acute-care or extended-care facility or clinic is preferred.

Responsibilities

Gather patient data during care and accurately measure and record vital signs, weight, and height.
Use available equipment and technology to obtain ECGs, apply cardiac monitors, and measure temperatures, heart rates, blood pressure, 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 and patient safety devices as needed; assist with transfers involving chairs, wheelchairs, and stretchers, including slideboard use and patients with hip precautions or traction.
Under direct Registered Nurse or Emergency Department physician supervision, assist with applying, maintaining, and removing full C-spine precautions.
Assist with or perform hygiene tasks, provide catheter and drainage-tube care, change simple dressings, and assist with post-mortem care.
Perform technical skills delegated by the Emergency RN for specific patient populations, including urinary catheter insertion and removal, assisting with pelvic examinations, and helping physicians hold adults, children, and infants during procedures.
Apply orthopedic splints, crutches, and soft goods; assist physicians during Emergency Department orthopedic procedures; instruct patients in crutch use; and demonstrate competency in case removal.
Assist patients with elimination needs, including bedpans, urinals, bedside commodes, urinary drainage bag measurement and documentation, and cleansing and retention enemas.
Apply sterile technique and set up and maintain sterile trays competently.
Follow the hospital restraints policy; apply soft limb, mitt, jacket/vest, and leather restraints, and monitor their efficacy under Registered Nurse direction.
Maintain awareness of department supplies and equipment, collaborate with ED staff to assess departmental needs, use the hospital inventory system to replenish supplies, and report malfunctioning equipment through the hospital system to ensure repair or replacement.
When cross-trained and based on department needs, independently perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the Emergency Department Clinical Secretary.
Report care provided, collected data, and observed patient behaviors and responses to the Registered Nurse; document information using approved hospital and department forms or systems.
Help maintain a safe Emergency Department environment, understand and support risk-management activities, follow department and hospital policies, and adhere to universal/standard precautions.
Protect patient privacy and rights and maintain confidentiality of patient information and records.
Participate in Emergency Department quality-assurance activities.
Communicate positively and appropriately, listen carefully to patients and other customers, and demonstrate consideration for patients' and families' individual needs.
Attend mandatory education programs and job-specific meetings, and attain and maintain required job competencies.
Cooperate with 24-hour staffing patterns and scheduling needs to support patient care.
Work as a team member in support of the organization, employees, and departments; under the Emergency Department Educator and ED charge nurse, train new staff to perform ECT duties and technical skills competently.
Demonstrate punctuality, accountability for attendance and adherence to the work schedule, initiative in helping others, and exemplary customer service as reflected by HealthStream Research scores.