Emergency Care Technician - Emergency Department Nights (7p-7a) - 24hrs/wk

umhealthwest•Wyoming, MI

About The Position

The Emergency Care Technician (ECT), under the direction and supervision of the Emergency Department charge nurse or their designee, provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary for the functioning of the Emergency Department. This is a night-shift position scheduled for 24 hours per week, with weekend work required and no on-call duty. The position has an FTE status of 0.6. The ECT gathers and documents patient data, performs technical patient-care tasks, assists with procedures and mobility, maintains a safe care environment, and communicates patient information to the Registered Nurse. The role may include cross-training as an Emergency Department Clinical Secretary based on department needs. ECTs also support quality assurance, teamwork, staff orientation, continuing education, and excellent customer service.

Requirements

Minimum 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.
For health science program enrollment, completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation is preferred. Considered programs 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.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider certification.
Able to 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Gather patient data 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 with collecting 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 dangle patients safely, using appropriate techniques and devices; assist with transfers involving hip precautions or traction and, under direct supervision, full C-spine precautions.
Assist patients with hygiene, simple dressings, catheter and drainage-tube care, and post-mortem care.
Perform delegated advanced technical skills for specific patient populations, such as urinary catheter insertion and removal, and assist physicians with pelvic examinations and other procedures.
Apply orthopedic splints, crutches, and soft goods; assist physicians during orthopedic procedures and instruct patients in crutch use.
Assist patients with elimination needs, including bedpans, urinals, bedside commodes, drainage-bag measurement and recording, and cleansing or retention enemas.
Set up and maintain sterile trays, and apply and monitor restraints under the direction of the Registered Nurse in accordance with hospital policy.
Maintain awareness of departmental supplies and equipment, assess department needs with ED staff, and use the hospital inventory system to replace supplies.
Use the hospital system to identify, report, and ensure repair or replacement of malfunctioning equipment.
When cross-trained, perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the Emergency Department Clinical Secretary as needed by the department.
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 activities, follow department and hospital policies, and adhere to universal or standard precautions.
Protect patient privacy and rights and maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and records.
Participate in Emergency Department quality-assurance activities.
Communicate appropriately with patients and other customers, listen carefully, and demonstrate consideration for patients' and families' needs.
Attend mandatory education programs and job-specific meetings, and attain and maintain job-specific competencies.
Cooperate with 24-hour staffing patterns and scheduling needs.
Support the organization and other departments as a team member; under the supervision and direction of the Emergency Department Educator and ED charge nurse, train new staff in ECT functions and technical skills.
Demonstrate punctuality, responsibility for attendance and schedule adherence, initiative in helping others, and exemplary customer service.