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

umhealthwest•Wyoming, MI

20h•Onsite

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 tasks necessary for the functioning of the emergency department. The role works nights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., 36 hours per week, with an FTE status of 0.9. On-call work is not required; weekend work is required every other weekend. The ECT gathers patient data and records vital signs, performs or assists with a broad range of patient-care procedures, operates department equipment, collects and processes specimens, and documents and reports care and observations. The ECT helps maintain a safe environment, protects patient privacy and rights, supports quality assurance, and collaborates with the emergency department team. Depending on department needs, the ECT may be cross-trained to function as an Emergency Department Clinical Secretary. Under the supervision and direction of the Emergency Department Educator and charge nurse, the ECT may train new staff in the role’s essential functions and technical skills.

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.

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 health science enrollment may include nursing school, pre-PA school, medical school, or a closely related program.
Equivalent experience may include Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Medical First Responder, EMT, Nurse Tech, Resident Aid/Assistant, or LPN experience.

Responsibilities

Gather patient data during care and accurately measure and record vital signs, weight, and height.
Use equipment and technology to obtain ECGs, apply cardiac monitors, measure temperatures, heart rates, blood pressure, respiratory rates, and pulse oximetry.
Obtain or assist with collection of blood, urine, stool, and sputum specimens; process specimens safely and accurately; and perform point-of-care blood glucose, urine pregnancy, and urine dip tests.
Use emergency department equipment and supplies safely and effectively, including stretchers, examination lights, capnographers, warming equipment, thermometers, and scales.
Move, transfer, reposition, turn, and ambulate patients safely, using appropriate techniques and devices; assist with transfers and positioning, including for patients with hip precautions or traction, and assist with full C-spine precautions under direct supervision.
Provide or assist with hygiene and skin care, oral and denture care, simple dressing changes, catheter and drainage-tube care, and post-mortem care.
Perform delegated advanced technical skills for designated patient populations, such as urinary catheter insertion and removal, and assist physicians during examinations and procedures involving adults, children, and infants.
Apply orthopedic splints, provide 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 measurement and recording, and cleansing or retention enemas.
Set up and maintain sterile trays and demonstrate understanding of sterile technique.
Apply soft limb, mitt, jacket/vest, and leather restraints according to policy; monitor restraint efficacy under a Registered Nurse’s direction.
Maintain awareness of department supplies and equipment, assess departmental needs with staff, use the inventory system to replenish supplies, and report malfunctioning equipment for repair or replacement through the hospital system.
When cross-trained as needed, perform the essential functions and responsibilities of an Emergency Department Clinical Secretary.
Report care, collected data, and observed patient behaviors and responses to the Registered Nurse, and 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/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 with patients and other customers, listen carefully, and demonstrate consideration for their 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; demonstrate punctuality, meet attendance expectations, and take initiative to help others.
Work as a team member in support of the organization, employees, and departments; train new staff under the supervision and direction of the Emergency Department Educator and charge nurse.
Provide exemplary customer service as reflected by HealthStream Research scores.