Emergency Room Assistant

Job Summary

Under direct supervision, performs routine patient care duties following all assignments given by the Registered Nurse in charge of Emergency Services. Assists in treatment rooms.

Essential Responsibilities

• Completes documentation and functions as information source for patients when appropriate.
• Responsible for adhering to all standards of nursing care and for promoting teamwork among co-workers.
• Patient Health Care: Instruct patients on general health and basic self care procedures.
• Review, explain and clarify physician orders with patient or parent.
• Instruct patients in use of home equipment.
• Administer patient first aid.
• Apply orthopedic appliances.
• Apply and remove dressings.
• Execute treatments such as urinary catheterizations, bladder irrigations and installations, suctioning procedures, throat irrigations.
• Follow standard infection control procedures.
• Give enemas.
• Initiate emergency procedures (including CPR) and provide emergency patient treatment.
• Irrigate and pack wounds.
• Safely Lift patients.
• Monitor patients vital signs and for bleeding.
• Observe machine monitors.
• Perform inhalation therapy and surgical preps.
• Prepare and position patients for procedures.
• Respond to Code Blues.
• Take and record patient vital signs, height, weight, etc.
• Obtain patient specimens.
• Prepare samples and specimens for lab analysis.
• Perform waive testing, including but not limited to blood glucose, urine dip, and pregnancy testing.
• Check patients vision with Snellen chart.
• Assist physician in obtaining tissue specimens and biopsies.
• Restrain or support patient during procedures.
• Select and pass instruments.
• Deliver food trays to patients.
• Heat and serve patient meals.
• Records and Patient Information: Schedule, cancel or reschedule patient appointments, when necessary.
• Direct members to appropriate department.
• Question patients regarding nature or illness and medical problems.
• Make initial assessment of patient condition.
• Fill out maintenance forms, as appropriate.
• Fill out laboratory, x-ray, diagnostic test requisitions or specialized test forms.
• Complete referral forms, as necessary.
• Obtain patient signature on consent forms.
• Record all procedures and activities during emergencies.
• Transport patient to and from designated areas.
• Route specimens to laboratory.
• Transport laboratory specimens and procedures trays.
• Equipment and Instruments: Ensure equipment is available for procedures and examinations.
• Assemble and disassemble equipment and instruments.
• Check and stock emergency supply charts.
• Check that defibrillators are working.
• Set up and organize exam rooms.
• Select instruments and equipment.
• Set up instruments and surgical trays.
• Stock and restock treatment and procedure rooms.
• Rinse and clean instruments and equipment.
• Maintain clean work area.
• Administrative and other: Train and orient new or less experienced personnel.
• Answers call lights.
• Answer nurses station telephone.
• Answer telephones and take messages.
• Locate personnel by paging system or existing technology.
• Assume other activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed, such as EKGs.