Emergency Dept Technician

Lexington Medical Center • West Columbia, SC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Emergency Dept Technician performs patient care and related services to meet the personal needs and comfort of patients in the assigned Emergency Department. The role also performs clerical and order-entry functions, stocks supplies, maintains patient rooms, and serves as a liaison among nursing staff, physicians, hospital personnel, patients, and visitors. The technician works under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse and demonstrates flexibility as duties or conditions change.

After completing specialized training, the technician performs a range of clinical support tasks, including monitoring patients, collecting specimens, assisting with procedures, transporting patients, and providing observation. The role also supports unit-secretary functions, patient flow, room preparation, documentation, safety, infection control, and communication of patient changes or abnormal results to the appropriate nurse.

This is a part-time PM-shift role, with the posted shift of 1845–0715. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of patient care experience in an acute care setting, subject to the listed substitutions. Basic Life Support and Crisis Prevention Institute training are required within 90 days of hire. Initial RCRA training is required within six months of hire, with annual continuing training.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of patient care experience in an acute care setting.
• One year of experience may be substituted for applicants who are Certified Nursing Assistants, have EMT certification, or have completed a Fundamentals of Nursing course.
• Basic Life Support certification and Crisis Prevention Institute training are required within 90 days of hire.
• Basic computer skills.
• Knowledge and effective use of medical terminology.
• Working knowledge of computer systems to provide patient-centered care, including order entry and chart documentation.
• Initial RCRA training within six months of hire and annual continuing RCRA training.

Responsibilities

• Perform assigned patient care tasks under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse and clerical functions that support timely and effective patient care.
• After specialized training, place patients on oxygen therapy and pulse oximetry as directed; place patients on cardiac monitors and obtain Lead II strips; take and record vital signs and weights; and report unusual or abnormal findings to the designated RN.
• Collect blood specimens by phlebotomy venipuncture and deliver specimens to the laboratory as directed; troubleshoot specimen delays and report results, including STAT or abnormal results, to the nurse.
• Set up sterile trays and assist physicians with suture repairs; apply orthopedic splints and appliances; assist with casting and other orthopedic interventions; and provide crutch-walking instruction and demonstration.
• Set up water-seal drainage for chest tubes, obtain 12-lead EKG tracings, insert Foley catheters and provide Foley care, and perform straight intermittent urinary catheterization as directed.
• Serve as a Mayday team member by performing CPR and obtaining supplies, blood products, and equipment during codes.
• Transport monitored and unmonitored patients within the department and hospital as directed; assist with ambulation, positioning, turning, transfers, and escorting patients for tests, treatments, transfers, or discharges.
• Provide direct 1:1 observation for patients under Immediate Treatment Certification.
• Perform unit-secretary functions when needed, including answering phones and the nurse-call system, making patient rounds, maintaining and verifying chart completeness and accuracy, scheduling procedures and appointments, requesting medical-record copies when indicated, arranging transportation, and monitoring bed assignments and delays.
• Facilitate patient flow within the zone, notify the Clinical Coordinator about ready rooms or process delays, clean and prepare rooms after discharge, and update the EPIC tracker.
• Keep patients and families informed during rounds and ensure patients have a call light within reach; assist with admissions and orient patients to the environment.
• Direct or assist patients with undressing for examinations and recognize safety needs, taking appropriate action to prevent injury.
• Assist with personal hygiene; empty and clean bedpans, urinals, and bedside commodes; record output as directed; change linens; make stretchers; organize patient environments; and provide other personal services within scope of practice.
• Pick up and return meal trays and feed patients who need assistance.
• Change sterile and unsterile dressings as directed and maintain oxygen tanks.
• Provide post-mortem care and transport patients to the morgue.
• Assist nurses and physicians with treatments and examinations; place ordered supplies, specialty trays, or carts in rooms; and prepare rooms or equipment for patients.
• Maintain clean and soiled utility rooms and ensure designated instruments are returned to the Sterile Processing Department.
• Mark QA check sheets and check and refill ED specialty carts and boxes.
• Anticipate patient discharges, admissions, and transfers and prepare by obtaining wheelchairs or other equipment.
• Report changes in patient condition and other relevant observations to the RN.
• Participate in performance-improvement and patient-safety initiatives; attend 50% of staff meetings and/or process-improvement meetings and obtain information from missed meetings.
• Support orderly shift changes by helping with unfinished work from the previous shift and reporting off to the relief ED Technician.
• Assist with orientation and training of new employees as requested.
• Use supplies and equipment conservatively and account for them appropriately; maintain knowledge of supplies available to the ED.
• Help maintain a safe, clean environment by following infection-control policies, procedures, and documentation requirements; report malfunctioning or unsafe equipment.
• Document pertinent information promptly, legibly, completely, and concisely in the appropriate section of the medical record.
• Ensure hazardous waste and hazardous-waste pharmaceuticals are properly discarded, stored, and managed in compatible, properly labeled and closed containers for offsite disposal; complete initial RCRA training within six months of hire and annual training thereafter.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and life insurance benefits beginning on day one for benefit-eligible employees and their families.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• 403(b) match plan enrollment beginning on day one; Lexington Health matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• Optional supplemental life insurance with low-cost premiums, up to three times salary.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Adoption assistance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

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