EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TECHNICIAN

Conway Medical Center•Conway, SC

About The Position

The Emergency Department Technician (EDT), under the direction of a nurse, performs initial basic life support interventions for emergency department patients, including airway, breathing, and circulation support. The EDT initiates life-saving measures such as opening an airway, controlling hemorrhage, performing chest compressions, stabilizing fractures, and protecting or aligning the cervical spine. The role includes stabilizing and extricating injured patients from vehicles at the emergency department entrance, helping patients travel to and from vehicles and the emergency department, and transporting patients from triage or the waiting area to treatment areas at a nurse’s request. The EDT maintains communication between patients’ families or significant others and emergency staff regarding patient condition, changes, complaints, status, and progress. The position also performs EKGs and takes vital signs according to policy and nursing direction; assists patients with care needs and information requests; helps label specimens and ensures specimens are received by a nurse or ED technician; and conducts hourly rounds to assess needs, comfort, and pain ratings. The work takes place in a hospital-based, temperature-controlled environment. Technicians work with patients across a range of anxiety levels, diagnoses, and dispositions, with potential exposure to blood-borne and airborne pathogens. The work can be stressful because multiple demands frequently occur, and prolonged standing and walking are required. Slip, trip, and fall hazards may be present.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Qualify as an ED Technician through at least one of the listed pathways: current South Carolina State Nursing Assistant Certification (CNA); at least one year of MST or clinical secretary experience in a hospital setting; successful completion of a Medical Assistant course; phlebotomy training and certification; successful completion of a dysrhythmia course and passing grade or certification; EMT or Paramedic certification; acceptance into an accredited nursing program and enrollment in first-semester coursework; successful completion of the second-year pre-med curriculum track; or at least one year of prior direct patient caregiver experience, such as home care, hospice, or nursing home work.
Basic Life Saving (BLS) Certification must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with nursing staff, physicians, department leadership, and other patient-care team members from various departments.
Strong organizational skills.
Strong PC skills.
Strong verbal communication skills.
Exemplary core customer service skills, including excellence, compassion, healing, teamwork, stewardship, innovation, and integrity.

Responsibilities

Perform initial basic life support interventions, including airway, breathing, and circulation support.
Initiate life-saving measures, including opening airways, controlling hemorrhage, performing chest compressions, stabilizing fractures, and protecting or aligning the cervical spine.
Stabilize and extricate injured patients from vehicles at the emergency department entrance.
Assist patients to and from vehicles and the emergency department.
Maintain communication between patients’ families or significant others and emergency staff about patient condition, changes, complaints, status, and progress.
Transport patients from triage or the waiting area to the emergency department treatment area at a nurse’s request.
Perform EKGs and take vital signs according to policy and as directed by a nurse.
Assist patients with care needs and requests for information.
Assist with labeling specimens and ensure a nurse or ED technician receives them.
Conduct hourly rounds to assess needs, comfort, and pain ratings.