Unit Technician - Emergency Room

Job Title: Unit Technician

• Assist with management of patient information to facilitate flow and communication needs within the admission, transfer, and discharge processes (i.e. transfer paperwork).
• Monitors internal and external alarm systems and initiates communication as needed within the building to maintain staff, patient and visitor safety. (i.e. Severe weather alerts, facilities alarms, fall alert system, etc.)
• Maintains expertise in internal/external communication systems and completes notifications as delegated for routine daily patient needs (i.e. paging of physicians) as well as for urgent and emergent needs (i.e. RAT calls, Code Blues, Trauma Code Teams, Surgical Team notifications, Life Link).
• Performs daily charge entry function including assuring the consistent accuracy of accommodation codes status and basic documentation review to verify the accuracy of charges entered for all patients seen in Acute Care Service areas.
• Serves as an organizational resource and communication point during episodes of downtime for the electronic medical record system.
• Utilizes professional customer service skills to give direction and assist internal and external customers with questions and concerns.
• Under the direction of an RN or LPN collects and documents data to support the patient plan of care, including but not limited to: vital signs, blood glucose values and intake and output measurements (may include emptying of drains and catheter devices); monitoring skin for abnormalities or areas of breakdown during provision of routine cares. All above information will be reported to the RN or LPN.
• Provides support for patient admissions, transfers and discharges including but not limited to: initial vital signs, weight and height measurements, management of patient belongings, and early set-up of safety devices as requested by the Nurse (i.e. Fall Risk or Isolation precaution equipment).
• Provides for and documents patients' hygiene needs and other nursing-based interventions (i.e. ambulation) throughout their stay in collaboration with the assigned Nurse Caregiver.
• Works in conjunction with the health care team to ensure all call lights are answered and consistently participates in hourly rounding as applicable to the unit. Ensures throughout each shift that appropriate communication items and safety equipment are in use in support of fall prevention and safe patient handling.
• Provides unit organization and cleanliness, including but not limited to: removing portable items and linens from patient rooms following discharge, disinfecting reusable patient supplies per infection control guidelines, and various stocking responsibilities as appropriate to the unit to keep supplies ready for the provision of care.
• Supportive of family or caregiver involvement in the plan of care, taking into consideration the patients' individual preferences and safety.
• Demonstrates stewardship of organizational resources.
• Actively participates in service area/organization initiatives through committee/project participation and attendance of service area/organization meetings. As a member of the health care team, looks for mechanisms to improve efficiency and patient care delivery.

Additional: Unit Technicians whose role includes floating to ER, ICU and BirthCare:

Preparation and assisting with patient examination, monitoring of patients during procedures and assisting medical staff with certain treatments and procedures (i.e. suturing, eye exam).

Education, Training or Degree Required:

• Current status on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry, current EMT Certification or Paramedic License
• Completion of ongoing training requirements specific to the departments served.

License/Registration/Certification Required: (will be primary source verified by HR)

• Current CPR required.