ED Tech-Unit Clerk- Full Time

Emergency Department Technician

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Entity: Penn Medicine Doylestown Health

Department: Emergency Department

Location: 595 West State Street, Doylestown Pa 18901

Hours: Full Time Hours, Weekend & Holiday Requirements

11am-11pm, weekend & holiday requirement

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the professional staff, the Emergency Department Technician will provide direct patient care and perform selected therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures with consideration for age-specific accommodations including infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric populations, while providing a calm, caring, clean and safe environment.

As assigned, the tech will also provide clerical services in the Emergency Department to maintain efficient operations. Pivotal to this role of unit clerk, the Associate will display excellent communication skills and demonstrate that they are able to prioritize critical tasks, acting upon them with clarity and urgency.

Accountabilities:

1. Maintains clinical competence in order to provide safe and efficient direct patient care respectful of age-specific considerations. Incorporates computer technology into patient care delivery.

a. Provides assistance to patients physically and psychologically by addressing outstanding needs related to:

Activities of daily living including personal hygiene

Nutrition and hydration

Comfort

Mobility and repositioning

Elimination

Skin care

Ambulation assistance and passive range of motion

Postmortem care

1:1 care inclusive of keeping patient occupied and informed when appropriate

b. Demonstrates competence in technical skills and selected therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures:

Vital signs

12-lead ECG

Applying monitoring equipment

Intake and output

CPR

Point of care testing

Hot and cold applications

Anti embolism stockings and ace bandages

Support and mobility devices/orthotics, prosthetics and gait training equipment

Soft limb restraints and mitts (excluding initiation)

Specimen collection via Mobilab and phlebotomy (venipuncture and capillary) after phlebotomy training

Splinting

c. Safely handles body fluids with attention to standard precautions

d. Actively participates in and supports departmental and organizational quality initiatives and goals

e. Assists in the admission, transfer and discharge process: Orients patient to room, call bell and routine Assists with packing and unpacking belongings Documents belongings Transports patients to inpatient setting when appropriate

f. Responds appropriately in a critical situation, i.e., code, respiratory compromise, falls, seizures.

g. Recognizes and reports abnormal observations and/or changes in the patients condition/progress to nursing staff in a timely manner, to also include skin breakdown, vital sign fluctuations and other observations.

h. Proactively anticipates diagnostic or care needs and acts efficiently to perform the outstanding task.

i. Seeks direction and clarification of patient care needs when in doubt.

j. Demonstrates appropriate skill in utilization of the computer for documentation, point of care results, ECG acquisition, data retrieval and communication.

k. Demonstrates recognition of equipment or technological adaptations dependent upon age-specific patient needs.

l. Keeps the patient informed of the anticipated plan of care and expected timeline.

m. Recognizes the existence of cultural differences and utilizes appropriate resources available to respond to the needs of the pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient, family member and/or visitor.

n. Follows staffing guidelines.

2. Coordinates and facilitates daily clerical operations of the ED by rapidly responding to requests from physicians / nurses related to care delivery needs and patient disposition duties to expedite patient flow inclusive of coordinating patient transfers.

a. Performs duties utilizing varied modes of communication such as desk phone, cell phone, personal contact, e-mail and fax machines

b. Maintains technical competence related to computer use inclusive of interpretation of the tracking board to determine outstanding actions that need to be performed to move the patient along in their care continuum

c. Schedules transfers to other facilities assuring notification of accepting facility and coordinating ground / air transport respectful of patient and weather conditions

d. Coordinates transportation for discharged patients as needed (wheelchair van, ambulance) assuring completion of the medical necessity form

e. Utilizes the Bed Board system to communicate bed assignments to nursing staff

f. Troubleshoots equipment failures related to IT equipment and refers accordingly

3. Maintains a prepared, clean patient care environment stocked with needed equipment and supplies to facilitate safe and effective patient care. Promotes patient safety through adherence to protocols, policies, procedures, evidence-based guidelines, and Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.

a. Assures that equipment and supplies are at point of care in clinical setting

b. Assure that all equipment needed to perform job duties is available and functional at start of shift (paper in ECG machine, POC testing controls performed)

c. Maintains equipment in good working order, reports equipment failure and initiates corrective action

d. Adheres to hospital policies regarding National Patient Safety Goals, for example, consistently utilizes two patient identifiers before performing any diagnostic or therapeutic intervention and prior to taking the patient to studies / next area of care

4. Collaborates and communicates with patients, families and healthcare team members to achieve excellence in the patient care experience consistently mindful of efficient patient flow. Incorporates SERVICE values into daily practice.

a. Demonstrates initiative, self-direction and accountability in completion of assigned responsibilities in accordance with department needs

b. Utilizes effective interpersonal skills including interaction through active listening and meaningful dialogue

c. Effectively communicates pertinent patient/significant other information during shift-to-shift report

d. Informs and involves the patient and family prior to procedure or care being performed

e. Responds to patient/family requests in a timely manner utilizing excellent customer service skills

f. Demonstrates initiative in offering assistance to other team members regardless of assigned role

g. Uses interpersonal communication techniques that show a willingness to accept and give constructive feedback for the purpose of promoting professional excellence

h. Demonstrates skills in team interaction and enhancing interpersonal relationships to create a cohesive and productive environment

i. Recognizes the value of interdepartmental relationships and interacts effectively

5. Actively participates in and supports departmental and organizational quality initiatives and goals with a focus on efficient workflow.

a. Proactively anticipates patients needs and completes tasks to assure efficient patient flow and care delivery

b. When assigned to the triage role, proactively works to promote the effectiveness of the licensed caregiver

c. Assures prompt ECG acquisition on patients with suspected ACS, POC testing as clinically indicated with attention to other tasks included in best practice order sets

d. Performs phlebotomy to assure that patients waiting time is put to good use

e. Keeps patients / family members informed of plan of care

f. Assists with key initiatives as requested by the physician or nursing staff

g. Identifies professional goals that reflect own strengths and weaknesses and seeks assistance for performance improvement

h. Attends and participates in meetings as per departmental standards.

6. Maintains technological competence through practice and ongoing participation in in services and formalized professional conferences.

Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine and entity values, policies, and procedures

Other duties as assigned to support the unit,