Emergency Department Technician

Emory•Atlanta, GA

13d

About The Position

The Emergency Department Technician supports patient care and satisfaction in the emergency department. The role includes providing patients with blankets, food, and updates on treatment status; explaining treatment delays; helping with patient flow; and notifying a nurse or physician about potentially critical patients. The technician collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other patient-care team members and may perform clerical duties, including answering phones, directing inquiries, entering physician orders into the computer, arranging diagnostic studies, and obtaining outside medical records. Clinical duties include taking vital signs, performing accuchecks and other point-of-care testing, EKGs, peripheral IV placement, specimen collection, phlebotomy and blood cultures, urinary catheter placement, wound care and irrigation, eye irrigation, and application of simple and premade splints. The technician transports patients, assists in acute and code situations, and is expected to support emergency response and disaster care as a member of the Code Blue disaster team. The role also includes monitoring equipment and supplies, maintaining stock levels, and complying with infection-control procedures, Standard Precautions, and safety standards. This is a PRN, as-needed position. The work environment may involve blood-borne pathogens, biohazardous waste, chemicals and fumes, communicable diseases, radiation, patient-handling risks, variable temperatures and indoor/outdoor conditions, and use of personal protective equipment, including respirators. Travel may be required. Physical demands include lifting up to 75 pounds, carrying objects up to 35 pounds, and standing, walking, sitting, and close visual work.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Graduate of an accredited EMT-Advanced or EMT-Intermediate training program.
Current certification as an EMT-I, EMT-A, or EMT-P.
Current CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

One year of related experience preferred.
Previous emergency-department experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Promote patient satisfaction by providing comfort items and treatment-status updates.
Help patients understand their clinical situation and adhere to Standards of Care.
Perform peripheral IV placement, specimen collection, phlebotomy, blood cultures, and urinary catheter placement.
Document procedures appropriately.
Apply simple orthoglass splints and premade splints, including knee immobilizers and slings.
Provide wound care, bandaging, wound irrigation, and eye irrigation using normal saline or a Morgan lens.
Take vital signs, perform accuchecks, EKGs, and other point-of-care testing.
Transport patients to diagnostic tests and floor beds.
Assist in acute and code situations, including defibrillation with an AED, suctioning, and placing patients on monitors and defibrillators.
Participate as a member of the Code Blue disaster team and help triage, stage, and treat disaster patients.
Sort initial complaints from waiting-room patients, support patient flow when the department is crowded, notify nurses or physicians of potentially critical patients, and explain treatment delays.
Collaborate with other staff and maintain professional relationships with the patient-care team.
Obtain equipment, assess supply needs based on emergency-department volume, and maintain supply par levels.
Follow Standard Precautions, infection-control procedures, and safety standards.
Perform clerical duties as needed, including answering phones, directing inquiries, entering physician orders into the computer, facilitating diagnostic studies, and obtaining medical records from other hospitals.
Perform other duties as required.