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

University of Michigan Health-West•Wyoming, MI

About The Position

The Emergency Care Technician (ECT) provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to the functioning of the Emergency Department, under the direction and supervision of the Emergency Department charge nurse or designee. The position is a night shift role, scheduled for 36 hours per week, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with every other weekend required and no on-call duties. The ECT gathers and documents patient information, measures vital signs, obtains specimens, performs point-of-care testing, and uses Emergency Department equipment safely. The role includes assisting with patient movement, hygiene and elimination needs, restraints, procedures, and other delegated technical skills. The ECT reports care and observations to the Registered Nurse, protects patient privacy and rights, supports department safety and quality activities, maintains job-specific competencies, and contributes to teamwork and customer service. Depending on departmental needs, the ECT may be cross-trained to perform Emergency Department Clinical Secretary duties. The position may also include training new staff under the supervision and direction of the Emergency Department Educator and ED charge nurse.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must 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

Gather patient data and accurately measure and record vital signs, weight, and height.
Use equipment and technology to obtain ECGs, apply cardiac monitoring, measure temperatures, heart rates, blood pressures, respiratory rates, and pulse oximetry.
Obtain or assist with obtaining laboratory specimens and safely facilitate their processing.
Perform point-of-care blood glucose testing, urine pregnancy tests, and urine dip analysis.
Use Emergency Department equipment and supplies safely and effectively.
Move, transfer, reposition, turn, ambulate, and assist patients with dangling, using safe techniques and appropriate devices.
Assist with or perform patient hygiene, basic dressing care, catheter and drainage-tube care, and post-mortem care.
Perform or assist with delegated technical skills and procedures, including urinary catheterization, pelvic examinations, patient positioning during procedures, and orthopedic care.
Apply orthopedic splints, assist physicians during orthopedic procedures, instruct patients in crutch use, and demonstrate competency in case removal.
Assist patients with elimination needs, including bedpans, urinals, bedside commodes, drainage measurement and recording, and cleansing or retention enemas.
Set up and maintain sterile trays and apply restraints as authorized; monitor restraint efficacy under the direction of the Registered Nurse.
Maintain awareness of department supplies and equipment, replenish supplies through the hospital inventory system, and report malfunctioning equipment for repair or replacement.
When cross-trained, perform the essential functions and responsibilities of an Emergency Department Clinical Secretary.
Report care provided, collected data, and observed patient behaviors and responses to the Registered Nurse; document information using approved forms or systems.
Help maintain a safe Emergency Department environment, support risk management, follow policies, and adhere to universal and standard precautions.
Protect patient privacy and rights and maintain the confidentiality of patient information and records.
Participate in Emergency Department quality assurance activities.
Communicate positively and appropriately with patients and other customers, listen carefully, and demonstrate customer service.
Attend mandatory education programs, maintain job-specific competencies, and attend required department and job-specific meetings.
Cooperate with 24-hour staffing patterns and scheduling needs.
Work collaboratively with the organization, employees, departments, patients, and families; train new staff when assigned.
Demonstrate punctuality, reliable attendance, adherence to the work schedule, and initiative in helping others.