Job Summary:

The Emergency Department Technician (EDT) is responsible for providing direct care to patients across the age spectrum at the directions of RNs and medical providers. The EDT performs fundamental patient care tasks from taking and documenting vital signs to assisting with activities of daily living. This position performs specific procedures in the Emergency Department setting and communicate pertinent patient care findings to team members, including CNAs, RNs, PAs, NP, and MDs. The EDT is responsible for a clean, orderly and stocked work environment and assures timely cleaning and turnover of patient room and of equipment that must be prepared for reprocessing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Key Skills/Tasks to help providers

• Prefabricated splint application (ace wraps, cam boots, knee immobilizers, slings, etc)
• Wound irrigation and prep, suture tray set up (train techs in sterile procedure)
• Pelvic exam assistance – prep patient, educate patient, help collect/label swabs, ring forceps, specimen (products of conception)
• Psych patient safety – work with security to have patient change into scrubs, search patients, ensure room safety, safety watch, etc
• Assist physician with procedures (suturing, central line, chest tube, etc)
• Patient safety – CAUTI, central line, fall risk, etc
• Provides excellent customer service to patients, visitors and colleagues through welcoming behavior, effective communication and information sharing.
• Independently performs clerical/receptionist functions on a patient care unit.
• Facilitates communication between colleagues, patients and visitors.
• Serves as a resource to medical staff regarding hospital protocols.
• Helps organize and maintain unit supplies necessary for daily activity.
• Performs data entry into patient’s computerized chart.
• Monitors patient electronic record to ensure care is progressing, preventing patient care delay.
• Rapidly assesses those patients needing immediate emergency care and intervention and communicate this assessment to RN team members. 
• Perform tasks of dress/ undress patients and obtaining vital signs.
• Recognize any changes in patient condition and report to the RN.
• Demonstrate skill using basic patient-care related equipment such as correct application of orthopedic appliances, crutch fitting and teaching, Hoyer lift, easy stand, bladder scanner, blood glucose monitoring, CPR, visual acuity and accurately enter patient data in EPIC.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with others among the nursing team. 
• Maintain quality, safety, and/ or infection control standards
• Conducts and performs EKG’s
• Employs principles of sterile technique (tray/instrumentation set up)
• Illustrates competency of insertion of urinary catheters, performs blood collection in collaboration with RN. 
• Wound prep, care and dressing.
• Fabrication of specific orthopedic splints (plaster/fiberglass) under the direction of the Attending ED MD.
• Gather accurate demographic data at patient bedside. Obtain information from patient’s relatives, paramedics, police officers, or others when patient cannot provide necessary information to “arrive” patients in EPIC and to provide for Registration Staff when they are not available. Properly identifying patient prior to placing a name band as per protocol.
• Maintains department supplies by inventory and stocking
• Document accurately, completely, and timely in accordance with departmental policies.
• Maintain patient flow in department: Use tracking board to document patient arrivals and room placements organize charts for each patient.
• Coordinate consults and transfers to other medical facilities
• Call appropriate hospital technical personnel (i.e. respiratory care, x-ray techs, CT techs, etc.) to arrange special procedures, or for critical patients who are unstable or in cardiac arrest.
• Direct stat lab results to an RN on critical patients as well as when computer systems are not available. Coordinates tests which require that the patient be transported to other areas of the hospital.
• Access AMION on line physician call schedule
• Communicates with other departments as necessary to promote seamless patient care.

2. Chart Processing:

• Ensure charts are complete and have proper identification then sent to medical records for scanning to EPIC

3. Admissions:

• Copy and prepare patient charts as needed for admissions/transfers/OR.
• Call the charge RN to notify and request a bed for admission.
• Notify nursing home of admissions.
• Coordinate admission with appropriate medical service by paging assigned medical team for patient report.
• Communicate with care team when patient can be transported to the floor.

4. Performs other miscellaneous tasks as assigned:

• Direct and occasionally escort patient/ family to appropriate hospital area.
• Knowledge of manual ordering when on-line system is unavailable.
• Restock office supplies at each work station.
• To generally assist in coordination of patient care.
• Check all machines with paper, printer cartridges, etc.
• Trouble shoot computer systems software and hardware calling IS&T only after initial investigation. 
• Obtain patient records from outside providers as requested.
• Learns order entry and release in the EPIC system.

Education & Licensure:

• Current WI Nurse Aide Registry or level of EMT certification to include EMT-B or EMT-I (on either National Registry or State of Wisconsin) 
• BLS certification within 3 months of employment
• High School Diploma or equivalent degree
• Must successfully complete EDT program within 6 months of hire

Experience:

• Recent Experience of at least 1 year in ERT, EDT or CNA position in a hospital or Emergency Services preferred
• Previous experience or recent education with office procedures and equipment
• Medical terminology required
• Previous customer service experience including in person and telephone interactions, problem solving
• Experience in the health care field  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with little direction and manage multiple demands and priorities
• Ability to balance the needs of guests, patients and colleagues required
• Demonstrated excellent customer service
• Ability to respond patiently and effectively to patients, visitors, and hospital staff
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships in a stressful environment with patients, visitors and hospital staff
• Ability to monitor electronic patient records to ensure care is progressing
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to learn computer systems and office equipment
• Flexibility in a constant changing work environment
• Knowledge of rules related to the rights of the patient confidentiality, including but not limited to HIPAA
• Maintain a positive, professional appearance and behavior

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing, bending, and reaching
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.