Emergency Department Technician (Weekends 7 PM - 7 AM)

VPNE•Northampton, MA

About The Position

Under the direction of a registered/licensed nurse (RN), the Emergency Department Technician is a member of the interdisciplinary health care team who assists with clinical support functions to promote a safe, compassionate patient care environment. The role includes direct patient care assistance, patient data and specimen collection, equipment preparation and setup, patient and family support, and maintaining a safe and clean care environment. The technician helps patients with activities of daily living, mobility, meals, positioning, and transportation; responds to call lights and requests; participates in hourly rounding; and provides constant observation for patients at risk for injury. The role also includes obtaining and documenting vital signs and other care information, performing blood glucose testing, assisting with admission and discharge, and following infection prevention, standard precaution, and safe patient handling practices. The position is scheduled for weekends from 7 PM to 7 AM.

Requirements

Six months of experience as a Nursing Assistant, or current enrollment as a Nursing Student in a formal program with at least one clinical rotation completed, or enrollment in and completion of the NWH Patient Care Associate Training Program.
High school graduate or equivalent.
Proficient in English, verbally and in writing, with sufficient English-language knowledge to read, speak, and write accurately.
CPR training required.
Ability to lift and transport patients safely using appropriate physical techniques in accordance with Safe Patient Handling Guidelines.
Ability to master basic computer skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and hospital personnel.
Knowledge of simple arithmetic.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Nursing Assistant is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with direct patient care needs and activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, bathing, toileting, dressing, mobility, and functionality.
Foster a healing environment through respectful, kind, culturally sensitive care and protect patient and family privacy and confidentiality.
Communicate with the RN about the plan of care, patient needs, safety concerns, and changes in patient condition.
Collect patient data and specimens using two patient identifiers before specimen collection.
Obtain and record vital signs, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, and blood glucose results, and promptly report changes to the RN or licensed nurse.
Perform EKGs and lift assists.
Prepare, retrieve, and clean equipment between patient uses, and follow equipment management protocols for items such as cardiac monitors, oxygen equipment, pulse oximeters, suction systems, patient lifting equipment, and scales.
Complete hourly patient care rounds, anticipate patient needs, respond promptly and appropriately to call lights, and seek nursing assistance when necessary.
Monitor patients and the care environment for safety concerns and maintain a safe, clean environment.
Follow infection prevention practices, hand hygiene guidelines, standard precautions, and safe patient handling principles.
Assist with positioning, turning, mobilization, ambulation, range-of-motion activities, preventative skincare, and applying or removing pneumatic sequential compression sleeves.
Set up food trays and assist patients with meals as indicated.
Assist with admissions and discharges, orient patients and visitors to their surroundings, safeguard patient valuables, and check patient ID bands and notify the nurse if replacement is needed.
Provide safe patient transportation and constant observation for patients at risk for injury, in person or virtually.
Reapply soft restraints or roll belts according to unit protocol.
Document care on approved forms or in the electronic medical record, including intake, output, height, weight, vital signs, and blood glucose results.
Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team, proactively assist others, adapt to changing unit demands, and perform delegated responsibilities.
Provide care appropriate to the age group of patients on assigned units, as described in relevant unit profiles.
Complete annual required training and update knowledge through periodic in-services.
Perform other duties as assigned.