ED Patient Care Technician

SUMMARY:

Reports to clinical manager and under the general direction and supervision of the professional staff, assists in providing care to Emergency Department patients and their families from arrival to departure. Performs a variety of clerical and patient care assistive duties as a member of the Health care team. Brown University Health employee are expected to successfully role model the organization’s values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values all employees are expected to demonstrate the core success factors which tell us how we work and collaborate.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Brown University Health is actively committed to a diverse workforce that represents the patients and community that we serve.

Brown University Health employees are expected to embrace Brown University Health’s mission of "Delivering health with care" and successfully role model Brown University Health’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Brown University Health Competencies which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Brown University Health Competencies include:

• Instill Trust  and  Value Differences
• Patient and Community Focus  and  Collaborate

Responsible for the delivery of safe patient care:

• Assigned to any area within the emergency department.

• Collaborates with the registered nurse to set priorities and organize work.
• Communicates all pertinent observations to the responsible registered nurse.
• Administers direct physical care and assists with other activities of daily living (ADLs).
• Performs selected procedures and treatments according to standards and protocols.
• Assists with admissions, transfers, and discharge of patients.
• Collects tests, records and reports selected specimen data. Reports findings to registered nurse.
• Sets up cardiac monitoring devices according to procedure. Assists with cardiac monitoring, runs 12 lead electrocardiogram (EKG). Reports findings to registered nurse.
• Utilizes side rails, restraints and assistive devices when available and necessary.
• Records selected procedures for which she/he is responsible.
• Maintains patient and family confidentially according to established hospital standards.
• Serves as an active patient/family advocate.
• Supports and reinforces teaching done by the registered nurse.
• Performs other duties within scope of care as assigned.

Responsible for emergency and safety conduct:

• Identifies cardiopulmonary arrest and initiates CPR.
• Demonstrates adherence to universal precautions, safety programs and other infection control measures.
• Reviews fire, disaster and infection control in manual.
• Demonstrates ability to perform responsibilities in emergency/code situations.
• Reports unsafe situations to the registered nurse or to the clinical manager.
• Lifts correctly to avoid harm to self. Utilizes assistive devices when available.
• Maintains an environment conducive to patient comfort and safety.
• Exercises proper care in the use of equipment and reports need to repair to appropriate person.
• Adheres to fall precaution protocol.
• Adheres to constant observation protocols as assigned.

Responsible for completion of clerical skills needed for efficient patient flow.

• Organizes, prioritizes workload based on patient, unit/clinic needs. Files reports in charts accurately and maintains medical record.
• Answers phones and intercom, using phone and intercom etiquette, and notifies appropriate staff.
• Utilizes hospital computer systems accurately to execute orders, retrieve data and generate reports. Reports computer and equipment malfunctions to the help desk.
• Accurately uses all existing computer systems and/or any new systems necessary to carry out job duties.
• Faxes completed authorization for use of protected health information form to other health care providers, receives faxed information and files in the patient's records. Faxes forms as needed.
• Manages multiple tasks and changes rapidly one task to another when necessary.
• Takes responsibility for educational updates by attending education sessions and accessing the Net learning web site.
• Meets and maintains competencies measured by annual mandatory competency check and mandatory/safety education.
• Utilizes computer skills to meet department needs.
• Reports unsafe situations to the Registered Nurse or to the clinical manager.
• Adheres to established RIH/Unit standards, policies and procedures (absenteeism, tardiness, badging, mandatory education, fire, safety, infection control and credentialing, HIPAA and confidentiality guidelines).
• Pages physicians and others via the hospital page system, computer alpha paging, and the hospital emergency operator to page codes.
• Performs all aspects of the Secretary role accurately, including but not restricted to, patient types of codes, discharge dispositions codes, observation and inpatient status, patient services charges, calls consults when indicated, updates dietary rounds reports.
• Understands ands is able to perform appropriate IS downtime procedures.
• Effectively prepares rooms, and patients for physicians and nurses. Provides precise technical skills in performing the following tasks: EKG’s, pulse oximetry, phlebotomy, minor non-sterile dressings, finger sticks, etc.
• Provides assistance to physicians and nurses on the following procedures: set up for suture placement/removal, large or complicated dressing changes, line placement, endoscopic procedures, bone marrow, lumbar puncture, biopsies, NG tube insertions, etc.
• Assists in position/holding patients for invasive procedures such as lumbar puncture and bone marrow.
• Complete vital signs per hospital policy or as ordered by physician/RN request
• Document patient’s reported pain using appropriate pain scale
• Refers to registered nurse or physician all patients with medical issues and handles/refers non-medical needs.
• Works effectively during downtimes to keep work flowing.
• Collects, labels and documents patient belongings and secures belongings appropriately.
• Utilizes sound judgement to recognize level of urgency and responds appropriately.
• Handles potentially critical situations with speed and sensitivity.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
• Entry level credentialing of secretarial and nursing assistant skills.
• Current Rhode Island registrations as a certified Nursing Assistant or Graduate of a Medical assistant training program (9 months or longer; curriculum most includes sterile conscience sepsis).
• Certified in basic cardiac life support (BLS).
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the Brown University Health, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each strep of the care process.

EXPERIENCE:

• Effective interpersonal communication skills.
• Able to multi-task in order to perform a variety of complex duties.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Read, write legibly and speak English.
• Basic knowledge of the hospital’s patient care delivery orientation program.

WORKING ENVIORNMENT AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

• Exposed to patient care environment with frequent standing, walking and sitting.

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

• Performs independently within department policies and practices. Refers specific, complex problems to supervisor where clarification of department policies and procedures may be required.

Pay Range:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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Driving Required:

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