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 their designee, provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to the functioning of the Emergency Department. The position is scheduled for nights (7 p.m.–7 a.m.), 24 hours per week, with weekend work required and no on-call duty. The ECT gathers and documents patient data, performs basic and delegated technical care, assists with patient movement and hygiene, supports emergency and orthopedic procedures, and handles specimens and equipment. The role also involves maintaining a safe environment, protecting patient privacy and rights, supporting quality assurance, communicating effectively with patients and colleagues, participating in education, and cooperating with staffing needs. Depending on departmental needs, some ECTs may be cross-trained to perform the Emergency Department Clinical Secretary role.

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Gather patient data; accurately measure and record vital signs, weight, and height.
Use available equipment and technology to obtain ECGs, apply cardiac monitoring, measure temperatures and heart rates, take blood pressure and respiratory-rate measurements, and obtain pulse oximetry readings.
Obtain or assist with obtaining blood, urine, stool, and sputum specimens, and safely facilitate laboratory specimen processing.
Perform point-of-care blood glucose testing, urine pregnancy tests, and urine dip analysis.
Use Emergency Department equipment and supplies safely and effectively, including stretchers, examination lights, capnography equipment, warming devices, thermometers, and scales.
Move, transfer, reposition, turn, ambulate, and dangle patients safely, using appropriate techniques and safety devices; assist with transfers involving chairs, wheelchairs, stretchers, slideboards, hip precautions, and traction.
Assist with application, maintenance, and removal of full C-spine precautions under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or Emergency Department physician.
Assist patients with hygiene, including bathing or skin cleansing, oral or denture care, simple dressings, catheter and drainage-tube care, and post-mortem care.
Perform or assist with delegated advanced technical skills, including urinary catheter insertion and removal, assisting with pelvic examinations, and helping physicians during procedures involving adult, pediatric, and infant patients.
Apply orthopedic splints, crutches, and soft goods; assist physicians during Emergency Department orthopedic procedures; instruct patients in crutch use; and perform case removal.
Assist patients with elimination needs, including bedpans, urinals, bedside commodes, measuring and recording urinary drainage, and administering cleansing and retention enemas.
Demonstrate understanding of sterile technique and set up and maintain sterile trays.
Apply soft limb, mitt, jacket or vest, and leather restraints; monitor their efficacy under Registered Nurse direction.
Maintain awareness of departmental supplies and equipment, help assess department needs, use the hospital inventory system to replenish supplies, and report malfunctioning equipment for repair or replacement.
When cross-trained based on department needs, function independently as an Emergency Department Clinical Secretary and perform that role's essential functions.
Report care provided, data collected, 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 the 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, maintain job-specific competencies, and attend Emergency Department and job-specific meetings.
Cooperate with 24-hour staffing patterns and scheduling needs to support patient care.
Work collaboratively with the organization, colleagues, and departments; under the Emergency Department Educator and charge nurse, train new staff in the role's essential functions and technical skills.
Demonstrate punctuality, responsibility for attendance and adherence to the work schedule, initiative in helping others, and exemplary customer service.