Part-Time Nights 

POSITION SUMMARY: The ER Technician performs duties under supervision of the ER RN. The technician is directly responsible to the ER RN. The technician assists in providing optimal care to the patient. Must demonstrate excellent technical and communication skills. Responsible for individual schedule changes, ordering of supplies/medications, cleaning and checking Code Cart. Performance is subject to periodic evaluation for compliance with policies/instruction. Knowledge of computer documentation. Maintains patient/staff confidentiality.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

Minimum Education:

• High School diploma or General Education Diploma 

Minimum Experience:

• Two years progressive experience as a Certified Nurse Aide at Geary Community Hospital on Medical, Surgical, Obstetrics and/or Pediatrics Floor
• If no previous experience, must possess ability and desire to learn

Minimum Field of Expertise:

• Ability to recognize emergent, urgent, non-emergent conditions
• Knowledge of trends and techniques
• Demonstrates annual competency of selected clinical skills

Required courses/training:

• Orientation to the emergency department with recommendation for job by staff RN and Nurse Manager

Required certification:

• BLS affirmation 

Physical Demands: 

• Moderate/heavy physical efforts
• Frequent standing/walking/sitting/stooping/reaching/bending 
• Frequent lifting patient, supplies, equipment      
• Manual dexterity and mobility  
• Rapid and efficient response to emergencies
• Must be able to lift hands above head
• Must pass the Physical Capacity Profile Testing (3)

Required protective equipment: 

• Standard precautions for:  a. exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials; b. exposure to chemical hazards, slippery surfaces; c. exposure to noise and noxious odors; d. electrical equipment.

Vision requirements:      

• Ability to see clearly at 20 feet or more 
• Ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less 
• Ability to see peripherally 

Working conditions:  

• Is subject to stressful conditions
• Assigned to a home unit and shift or shifts. 
• Can expect to be reassigned to another area or shift as necessary for staffing. 
• Requires weekend and holiday work. 
• Is subject to overtime and low census days due to fluctuation in workload.
• Is subject to call back for mass casualty situations
• Knowledgeable of responsibilities during emergency/disaster and of incident command

Personal requirements: 

• Works positively with others possessing tact, discretion and diplomacy
• Possess ability to work under pressure 
• Maintains positive physical and emotional well-being 
• Positive communication skills
• Ability to work quietly
• Appropriate, clean attire according to department of nursing dress code, wears nametag and identifies self to patient.
• Reliable
• Possesses integrity
• Takes initiative
• Role model
• Maintains a positive attitude
• Knowledgeable of responsibilities during emergency/disaster and of incident command

Degree of Supervision:

• Must be able to work under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse

DUTIES OF AN ER TECHNICIAN 

• The emergency technician assists with patient care by greeting patient/families as they arrive and directs them to the appropriate area.   
• Initiates an emergency department record by listing chief complaints. 
• Obtains vital signs on all patients and weight on children.
• Assists in performing initial treatment measures (splints, dressings, slings, elevation of extremities).
• Assists in moving patients in and out of vehicles.
• Helps facilitate the process by which an adult, geriatric, adolescent or pediatric patient is assessed by the emergency department nurse.
• Prevents unnecessary delay in patient care.
• Reassures the patient, patient’s families and/or significant others until such time as evaluated by the nurse and/or treatment initiated by the physician.
• Provides a safe, reliable source of information about/for waiting patient.
• Does health education under the direction of the nurse.
• Does continued re-evaluation as necessary and keeps the nurse informed.
• Shall attend staff meetings and inservices to maintain current on emergency care.
• Is responsible for helping to maintain and upgrade the level of patient care.
• Notifies nurse of high-risk patients and is able to identify these patients (MI, asthmatic, acute allergy reaction, etc.).
• Displays positive communication skills.
• Current in adult and pediatric CPR and is able to function with BCLS guidelines.
• Familiar with the crash cart and is able to assist with resuscitation and will record patient data on critically ill patients.
• Works with the nurse and assists or carries out procedures with direction.
• Familiar with procedures routinely used in the emergency department.
• Assists the EMS system (ambulances) in obtaining their equipment left at the hospital and assist in patients personal items being kept with patient or sent home with significant other.
• Will be responsible for cleaning, restocking, and checking outdates in the emergency department.
• Displays flexibility relating to patient census and acuity.
• Will escort patients to treatment areas in ER, to X-Ray, to floor when admitted.
• Will be able to instruct patients on obtaining clean catch urine specimens and taking specimens to lab.
• Ensures safety of all patients by putting up siderails, locking wheelchairs.
• Shall serve as a resource person for new personnel, nursing students, and or EMT students.
• Able to place adult, geriatric, adolescent and pediatric patients on the monitors - heart, B/P, pulse oximeter, and run strips.
• Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with policies and practices that promote the health care provider and reduces spread of infection by hand washing and wearing of gloves.
• Knows the protocol to be implemented in the event of an internal or external disaster.
• Follows GCH guidelines for restraining patients, does not give out telephone advice.
• Obtains authorization for treatment and notifies nurse if minor, incompetent or unconscious patient.
• Provides identification of patients through use of ID bracelets and allergy bracelets.
• Respects the confidentiality, dignity and privacy of patients.
• Attends mandatory inservices
• Provides information to patient and family consistent with their intellectual abilities.
• Shall be able to provide and explain written instructions for follow-up care.
• Keeps staff and supervisors informed of the ER activities.
• Will assist the nurse by logging patients in the ER, MEC, X-Ray, and/or lab logs.
• Knows procedure to follow in calling in laboratory technicians, radiology technicians, social services, chaplain, rape support members.
• Has knowledge to operate the ambulance radio, lifeline, computer.
• Provides the safe keeping of patient’s valuables.
• Knows the procedure for obtaining permission for transfers and reaching receiving physicians and hospitals for the emergency physician.
• Assist the nurse in completing accurate charges on each patient.
• Will do rape exams following written procedure guidelines.
• The Nurse Aide is evaluated by the Unit Manager/ Assistant Chief Nursing Officer by several methods including observation, documented counseling, and continuing education/ inservices/meeting records. “Exceeds” equals documentation by the Unit Manager that they went beyond the expectations routine performance. “Not met” must include documentation that the Nurse Aide has not performed up to expectations documented by the Unit Manager/ Assistant Chief Nursing Officer.