Emergency Room Technician , Community Events

SSM Health • MO-SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital 1201 Grand, MO

77d • Onsite

About The Position

This role is more than a career, it's a calling. At SSM Health, you’ll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact. The Emergency Room Technician provides basic first aid services and/or participates in clinical health screenings in the community. They are responsible for meeting the basic needs of the patient by providing skilled levels of field patient care under the direction of the Community Outreach Coordinator and manager. The technician is accountable for all basic emergency care they deliver and must adhere to all policies and procedures. They also perform clerical duties necessary to the functioning of the respective department. The ED Technician provides assistance to other members of the health care team in order to provide quality patient care. They report and document all changes in the patient’s condition to the primary care nurse in a timely manner and promptly notify the charge nurse, Nurse Manger or Director of Nursing of departmental problems. The technician is accountable for all ED nursing care they deliver and is responsible for adhering to all applicable standards of emergency care. They also assist in the teaching of students rotating through the Emergency Department.

Requirements

• High School diploma/GED or 10 years of work experience
• Previous experience in health care, including performance of vein-puncture, EKGs and basic assessment skills, preferred.
• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Ability to demonstrate patience when dealing with difficult people and situations.
• Ability to anticipate potential crisis or deterioration of patient condition and assist in preventing impairment of life processes and normal body functions, as the situation requires.
• Must have the ability to assist with emergency care and the management of patients including assisting with the institution and maintenance of basic life support.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in health care, including performance of vein -puncture, EKGs and basic assessment skills

Responsibilities

• Provides care that is directed toward meeting the psychosocial and physical needs of patient.
• Carries out the patient’s plan of care as it relates to the patient’s physical needs and under the direction of the Registered Nurse of ED Attending Physician.
• Assists with the ongoing monitoring of ED patients by taking vital signs at least every hour and reporting changes and/or abnormal readings to the primary care RN.
• Maintains knowledge of and operates equipment used in patient care safely.
• Completes unit clerical duties including the coordination of unit activities, transcription of orders, medical record maintenance and serving as a unit receptionist.
• Retrieves patient care items that are not routinely available on the unit.
• Prepares rooms prior to patient arrival and after discharge.
• Completes a Patient Belongings Inventory sheet on all patients being admitted or transferred.
• Notifies security for inventory of all patient “valuables” so that they can be stored properly.
• Directs prompt and courteous attention to the needs to patient’s, families, and visitors.
• Escorts and/or provides transportation assistance via stretcher or wheelchair to various areas of the hospital at the direction of the primary care nurse or ED Attending Physician.
• Engages in service recovery activities referring unusual problems to the Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager or Director of Nursing.
• Recognizes needs and initiates appropriate action in regard to maintaining supplies and equipment.
• Notifies appropriate department in order to maintain a clean safe environment (housekeeping, maintenance, dietary, biomedical, etc.).
• Functions as a resource person to co-workers, patients/families, medical staff, ancillary personnel and students.
• Handles emergency situations calmly and in a professional manner.
• Ensures that side rails are up when indicated (transporting patients, high fall risk, etc.).
• Assists patients with ambulation, repositions, transfers from stretcher, wheelchairs, cars, etc.
• Correctly places restraints; observes for constriction of circulation, changes to skin integrity, adequate breathing; knows when and how to change position; provides ROM and skin care, toileting, and opportunities for socialization.
• Provides primary nurse or charge nurse with patient report prior to leaving unit.
• Operates equipment correctly and safely (Cardiac monitor, Laryngoscopes, blades and handles).
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Completes Point of Care Testing (bedside blood glucose, pH, urine pregnancy).
• Obtains vital signs including temperature.
• Weighs patients as appropriate.
• Measures intake and output.
• Assists with setting up oxygen delivery systems such as nasal cannula or mask.
• Monitors pulse oximetry.
• Completes tracheostomy care.
• Performs suctioning as necessary (oral and tracheal).
• Controls bleeding of open wounds as directed by RN or ED Attending physician.
• Prepares lacerations for closure: Cleans wound as instructed by ED Attending physician, Sets up equipment and supplies at the patient bedside, Assists physician as necessary during procedure, Dresses wounds as instructed.
• Performs dressing changes (sterile and clean).
• Administers enemas.
• Performs straight catheterizations.
• Records output on nursing documentation tools.
• Provides hygiene and grooming as needed.
• Mouth care as needed, especially for the NPO patient.
• Rounds frequently to ensure that patient’s toileting needs are met. Provides perineal care after toileting.
• Obtains: Midstream (clean-voided) urine specimen, Sterile urine specimen from an indwelling catheter, Blood specimens by venipuncture, Stool specimens, Sputum specimens.
• Labels all specimens at the patient’s bedside after correctly identifying the patient.
• Utilizes the appropriate personal protective equipment when handling body fluids.
• Answers phone within 3 rings identifying self, title and unit. Does not keep caller on hold for extended periods of time.
• Provides directions to physicians, hospital personnel, and visitors to patient’s room, adhering to visiting policy.
• Notifies admitting of the arrival of new patients.
• Answers pneumatic tube promptly and returns carriers to the appropriate area.
• Reports critical lab values to appropriate personnel.
• Enters orders into the computer accurately.
• Calls departments to order tests, procedures, and consults that cannot be ordered through the computer.
• Utilizes appropriate backup systems in the event of computer downtime.
• Performs job in accordance with safety and infection control policies.
• Practices standard precautions and disposes of hazardous wastes per established guidelines.
• Maintains a safe, clean, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients, families, and employees in accordance to hospital standards.
• Reports risk management concerns.
• Assumes responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements by due date.
• Documents all procedures and care concisely and legibly on chart.
• Identifies problems, gathers pertinent data, suggests solutions, communicates using appropriate lines of authority, and works toward problem resolution.
• Empties soiled linen hampers in a timely manner.
• Provides service excellence to the customers of Saint Louis University Hospital by delivering timely, high quality care in a courteous, and respectful manner.
• Demonstrates care and courtesy.
• Communicates effectively and maintains confidentiality.
• Demonstrates competence and collaboration.
• Provides cost effective services.
• Adheres to and incorporates all customer service standards in patient care and work practices.
• Participates in additional learning experiences to increase competence including staff meetings, mandatory in-service’s and educational programs, and evaluation of self-performance by identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
• Assists in identifying and implementing nursing unit goals.
• Incorporates Performance Improvement into one’s job performance.
• Identifies problems, participation in data collection when requested, suggests solutions, communicates using appropriate lines of authority and works toward problem resolution.
• Participates in the performance/process improvement process.
• Incorporates Performance Improvement and Commitment to Quality (C2Q) results into job performance.
• Offers suggestions for improvement of unit activities.
• Participates in discussion of PI C2Q data outcomes.
• Collects PI C2Q data as assigned.
• Participates in research activities on the nursing unit as appropriate.
• Provides age-appropriate care to Infant, Child, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills of normal growth & development necessary to provide services to the age of the patient served by the department.
• Demonstrates ability to assess and interpret age specific data to identify patient needs.
• Utilizes communication skills necessary to interpret age specific responses to service and interaction.
• Involves family or significant other in decision making related to services provided.
• Demonstrates ability to provide service needed for the age groups routinely served by the department assigned.
• Provides specialized care to patients at high risk for injury.
• Restraint Care: Initiates/evaluates alternatives to restraint prior to application, Applies restraints consistent with the approved procedure, Monitors and assesses patient’s response throughout the restraint period at the appropriate intervals, Provides specified patient care (toileting, skin care, hydration, feeding, etc.) on a timely basis, Provides for trail release and removal of restraint as soon as possible.
• Pain Management: Follows pain management plan of care, e.g.: repositioning, message, immobilization, music therapy etc., Reports patient complaints of pain to the nursing staff and/or physician.
• Abuse Assessment: Is aware of abuse recognition criteria and incorporates it into assessments, Reports signs of possible abuse/neglect to the physician & Risk Management, and recommends appropriate consultations (psychiatric, Social Work) for evaluation.

Benefits

• Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).
• Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday.
• Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED