Emergency Department Technician

At Houston Methodist, the Emergency Room Technician position is responsible for maintaining knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated tasks for diverse patient population and their families in the Emergency Room, performing patient care activities of daily living (ADL's), as needed. This position performs delegated patient care duties under the supervision of a licensed nurse. The Emergency Room Technician position records data established by policy and procedure, and reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse and/or provider. The Emergency Room Technician position is responsible for assigned non-nursing functions independently, handling patient care and technical issues as they arise within the scope of their job. This position also performs clerical tasks such as answering the phones and transcribes orders as needed.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Six months in an emergency setting or Emergency Medical Technician Basic or Intermediate certification (State of Texas)

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
• NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 3 months

Preferred

• CPT – Certified Phlebotomy Technician (ACA)

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Displays strong time management skills
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Practices proper infection control, including precautionary procedures
• Independently adapts to multiple ongoing priorities including organizing work flow
• Demonstrates independent judgment and discretion to recognize problems, identify causes and take corrective action
• Strong organizational skills to handle a heavy workload and maintain accuracy
• Possesses competent computer knowledge. Operates multiple computer systems including electronic health records, i.e., Epic, and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, & Excel)
• Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team as appropriate
• Successful completion of validated Basic EKG proficiency exam with a score of 80% and correct identification of lethal dysrhythmias during orientation

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit responding willingly and positively to colleagues needs for assistance and partnership to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner in a clear and timely manner.
• Communicates effectively with patients, family members, co-workers, medical staff, hospital personnel, and other customers; treats all individuals with dignity and respect. Acts as a patient advocate in coordinating care across the continuum that meets the patient’s needs
• Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Follows channels of communication for effective problem solving. Assists other techs and coworkers, manages several ongoing priorities with minimal supervision. Assists in resolving complex issues.
• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs delegated low risks, high frequency technical and clinical procedures required for patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. Documents, where applicable, comprehensive screenings, care administered, diagnostic measurements, allergies and medication lists, treatments and procedures as determined by skills, training and validation (i.e., vital signs, 12 Lead EKG, I.V. catheter insertion, CPR, splinting, specimen collection, immobilization by backboard, extrication from vehicles) in accordance with established policies and procedures. Repeats vital signs according to policy.
• Assumes the role of phlebotomist when necessary. Performs drug screen collection according to established policy, procedure, and protocols.
• Observes patients, making hourly rounds to ensure patient needs are met (four P’s), for condition change. Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to the licensed nurse to achieve desired patient outcomes. Responds to the call light system, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs.
• Actively works to pursue high levels of patient satisfaction by contributing towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reports all accidents promptly and corrects minor safety hazards. Communicates with peers and management regarding any hazards identified in the workplace.
• Accurately identifies the patient using standardized patient identification protocols and resolves any discrepancies prior to caring for patient. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections. Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities, impacting hospital and department quality and safety targets, through peer-to-peer accountability, collaborating with the interprofessional team.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains an orderly environment that facilitates access to supplies, equipment, and resource information. Assists in the inventory, monitoring and ordering supplies and medical equipment to maintain par levels. Minimizes the overuse of supplies and reports low supply inventories as they arise; does not waste supplies.
• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Performs tasks timely to meet department turn-around-times. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members and performing additional tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development including the development of advanced skills. Fosters a positive and constructive patient care environment by engaging co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with department objectives.
• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement hospital projects and department shared governance activities. Completes and updates the My Development plan on an on-going basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Six months in an emergency setting or Emergency Medical Technician Basic or Intermediate certification (State of Texas)

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
• NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 3 months

Preferred

• CPT – Certified Phlebotomy Technician (ACA)