Emergency Dept Assistant-Feinberg ED Full-time Nights

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

The Emergency Department Assistant (EDA) provides direct and indirect patient care support to Registered Professional Nurses in the Emergency Department. The EDA works as part of the multidisciplinary team under the direct supervision of a Registered Professional Nurse and ED Physician, and follows organizational policies, procedures, standards of care, ethics, compliance requirements, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

The role supports patient flow and ED operations, prioritizes daily activities, and uses department protocols and equipment. Direct care duties include wound care and dressings, assistance with splinting and orthopedic devices, ECGs, phlebotomy and specimen collection, bedside waived testing, vital-sign monitoring, patient hygiene and comfort, transport, documentation, CPR, and morgue care. The EDA also assists with admissions, transfers, discharges, procedures, and patient positioning.

Indirect duties include maintaining clean and prepared patient rooms, stocking and organizing supplies and equipment, conducting departmental room checks and testing quality measures, supporting order entry and telephone response, and updating patient and bed tracking systems. The EDA performs other delegated tasks to support patient care and efficient Emergency Department operations and participates in Emergency Preparedness procedures.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous patient care experience.
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• CPR certification from the American Heart Association.

Nice To Haves

• Phlebotomy and ECG skills.
• Strong customer-service orientation and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• College degree or interest in the health care field.
• EMT-B certification.

Responsibilities

• Follow established policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Facilitate patient flow, assist the health care team, and independently perform assigned duties.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily activities and multiple tasks.
• Use familiarity with ED-specific protocols and equipment; give and receive shift report.
• Provide wound care, including cleansing and irrigating wounds using aseptic technique; apply appropriate dressings and ointments, apply Steri-strips as directed, and remove sutures.
• Assist with positioning and immobilizing patients for casting and apply splinting and orthopedic devices.
• Instruct patients in the use of assistive devices and confirm competency in crutch walking and cane usage.
• Perform ECGs, including stat and chest-pain ECGs within 10 minutes; enter patient and order data, retrieve prior ECGs, present ECGs to the ED Attending for review, document activity, and transmit data every two hours.
• Perform phlebotomy and collect, label, and process specimens according to established protocols and policies.
• Perform bedside waived testing procedures and maintain annual competency.
• Assist with admission, transfer, and discharge processes.
• Prepare patients and rooms for assessment, evaluation, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including lifting and positioning patients when needed.
• Obtain and reassess vital signs; apply cardiac monitors and pulse oximetry.
• Prepare oxygen, suction equipment, and other respiratory aids.
• Collect and record intake and output.
• Assist with direct patient care and hygiene; make patient rounds, anticipate needs, respond promptly to call lights, and apply comfort and safety measures.
• Transport or retrieve patients, specimens, equipment, and supplies as needed, including escorting patients to the front door on discharge.
• Document patient care in the medical record, including charge vouchers.
• Remove fixed rings using a ring cutter and ensure the identity and possession of patient belongings.
• Perform CPR and morgue care.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and attractive work environment; clean and prepare rooms and notify appropriate personnel when mopping or garbage disposal is needed.
• Maintain patient-care supplies, place orders in Powerchart, clean equipment for sterilization, and return sterilized equipment to its proper location.
• Perform daily departmental room checks and bedside waived-testing quality measures.
• Assist with order entry and telephone response; use and update online patient and bed tracking systems.
• Perform tasks delegated by the RN or MD to support patient care and efficient ED operations.
• Participate in Emergency Preparedness procedures.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• A wide range of benefits supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection for unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED