Emergency Department Technician

Department Overview:

OHSU cares for acutely and critically ill patients in our Emergency Department. We provide the latest evidence-based care and have a reputation for effective teamwork. Emergency nurses understand the importance of their independent scope of practice and engage in dependent scope of practice decision making with the team. Emergency nurses also provide patient and family-centered care for the full spectrum of illnesses. The OHSU Emergency Department provides around-the-clock multidisciplinary services to clients of all ages across the life span.

 

The department hosts a Level 1 Trauma Center, Triage (including Fast-track and Rapid Medical Evaluations), Adult Acute Care, Adult Critical Care, Observation Unit, and Acute Psychiatric Care. Patients arrive to the ED via ambulance, walk-in, through the transfer center (Trauma & PANDA), and via Rapid Response Team. The ED is responsible for assessing patient needs, planning and coordinating interventions and consultations. Procedures and treatments provided in the ED include but are not limited to: placing venous access, drawing bloodwork, medication, fluid and blood administration, radiography, extremity splinting and reduction, laceration repair, moderate and deep sedation, ultrasonography, intubation, cardioversion, D&Cs, sexual assault exams, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and imminent deliveries. Patient population and diagnoses vary from minor to critical care and include chest and abdominal pain, extremity injuries and trauma, migraine, overdose, seizure, dehydration, heart failure, respiratory distress, acute stroke, acute STEMI, acute psychosis/psychological emergencies, infection, and sepsis. Patients may frequently present with alcohol or drug abuse history, and complex medical histories. The ED Team works determine if the patient requires admission or discharge with resources and referrals. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:1 or 1:5 based on the patients dynamic stability and acuity.

 

The emergency department technician (ED Tech) position is part of the healthcare team in the Emergency Department. The ED tech performs tasks of direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and as directed by the department nurse manager. The ED tech will provide assistance in the maintenance of supplies pertaining to the Emergency Department, and will assist with quality assurance activities for the Emergency Department. This individual has the ability to communicate data reflective of the patients’ status and delegated tasks to the RN or LIP in charge of patient care. The ED tech assists the patient, patients’ families, visitors, nursing staff, and other support staff to assure the delivery of quality care in a safe and comfortable environment. The ED tech demonstrates ability to provide care (as described below) to to patients across the age continuum (infants, toddlers, pre-school, school-age, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients). ED Techs contribute to the success of the department and support of team members.

 

Pay Range: $23.63 - $31.98 per hour

Function/Duties of Position:

Patient Care

• Observes all infection prevention guidelines.
• Assists with admitting and discharge patients.
• Obtains accurate vital signs and patient weights.
• Gathers and secures patient valuables.
• Completes all unit specific ED tech documentation in the patient’s medical record.
• Performs wound preparations and applies simple dressings as directed by the RN or LIP.
• Performs ortho splinting as directed by RN or LIP.
• Provides safe patient mobilization using aids, as directed, for safety and notifies the nurse of additional needs.
• Performs or assists with proper and safe patient lifts, transfers, turns and positioning.
• Provides for safety; bed in low position, side rails, items within reach, identified hazards and assistance.
• Assures patient maintains good body alignment, comfort, range of motion (ROM), and support.
• Responds to call lights. Assures that call lights are within reach at all times.
• Collects and tests specimens as directed (blood, urine, stool, other).
• Assists the patient with toileting and hygiene needs
• Performs post mortem care as per policy.
• Escorts/transports patient via wheelchair/stretcher to various locations within the hospital.
• Assists with monitoring of equipment alarms. Notifies nurse appropriately.
• Rounds/observes patients at least hourly, responding to all patient needs, and reports observations as needed or directed.
• Performs all duties necessary to assure delivery of prescribed diet and meet all dietary needs.
• Provides safe and proper application, observation, and documentation of restraints/seclusion. Observes disoriented/confused patients per division guidelines or as directed.
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• Performs phlebotomy for obtaining blood specimen.

Indirect care:

• Maintains the patient care area.
• Cleans equipment and area in conjunction with environmental services.
• Keeps dirty utility rooms clean and free of debris and excess supplies.
• Distributes linen and supplies.
• Transports specimens, equipment and medications.
• Cross trains to HUC role for meal relief.
• Maintains awareness of equipment operation and reports broken or missing equipment per OHSU standards.
• Orders supplies as necessary.
• Stocks patient rooms and carts as needed or as directed.
  
  • Resus rooms
  • IV carts
  • GYN, ENT, Lac carts
  • Disinfect or discard equipment/supplies appropriately

Quality

• Assists Departmental Leadership in their efforts to monitor and evaluate applicable standards.
• Maintains quality assurance around Point of Care Testing.
• Maintains current knowledge of departmental benchmarks and initiatives; works toward continuous process and system improvement.
• Provides an environment conducive to safety for patients, visitors, and staff.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year recent experience (within the past 5 years) providing patient care in an emergency department or similar setting.
• Phlebotomy for lab draw
• 12-lead EKG placement
• BLS from American Heart Association (AHA) upon hire
• EMT, CNA, MA or equivalent education 
• Phlebotomy certification or equivalent experience
• Ability to perform the job duties with or without accommodation.

Additional Details:

Night Shift Benefits:

• Night Shift Wage Differential
• Two raises per year – One at anniversary date and one across the board annual increase
• Healthcare Options - Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents, and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
• Vacation- up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service
• Sick Leave- up to 96 hours per year
• 8 paid holidays per year
• Free Parking for night shift
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
• Additional Programs including: Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

All are welcome: Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.