Emergency Tech, Adult ED

Department Overview

OHSU cares for acutely and critically ill patients in our Emergency Department. We provide the latest evidence-based care and have a reputation for effective teamwork. Emergency nurses understand the importance of their independent scope of practice and engage in dependent scope of practice decision making with the team. Emergency nurses also provide patient and family-centered care for the full spectrum of illnesses.

The OHSU Emergency Department provides around-the-clock multidisciplinary services to clients of all ages across the life span. The department hosts a Level 1 Trauma Center, Triage (including Fast-track and Rapid Medical Evaluations), Adult Acute Care, Adult Critical Care, Observation Unit, and Acute Psychiatric Care. Patients arrive to the ED via ambulance, walk-in, through the transfer center (Trauma & PANDA), and via Rapid Response Team.

The emergency department technician (ED Tech) position is part of the healthcare team in the Emergency Department. The ED tech performs tasks of direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and as directed by the department nurse manager. The ED tech will operate partly as a Health Unit Coordinator (HUC), will assist in the maintenance of supplies pertaining to the Emergency Department, and will assist with quality assurance activities for the Emergency Department.

This individual has the ability to communicate data reflective of the patients’ status and delegated tasks to the RN or provider in charge of patient care. The ED tech assists the patient, patients’ families, visitors, nursing staff, and other support staff to assure the delivery of quality care in a safe and comfortable environment.

The ED is responsible for assessing patient needs, planning and coordinating interventions and consultations. Procedures and treatments provided in the ED include but are not limited to: placing venous access, drawing bloodwork, medication, fluid and blood administration, radiography, extremity splinting and reduction, laceration repair, moderate and deep sedation, ultrasonography, intubation, cardioversion, D&Cs, sexual assault exams, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and imminent deliveries. Patient population and diagnoses vary from minor to critical care and include chest and abdominal pain, extremity injuries and trauma, migraine, overdose, seizure, dehydration, heart failure, respiratory distress, acute stroke, acute STEMI, acute psychosis/psychological emergencies, infection, and sepsis.

Patients may frequently present with alcohol or drug abuse history, and complex medical histories. The ED Team works determine if the patient requires admission or discharge with resources and referrals. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:1 to 1:4 based on the patient’s dynamic stability and acuity.

Patient Care

• Observes all infection prevention guidelines.
• Assists with admitting and discharge patients.
• Obtains accurate vital signs and patient weights.
• Gathers and secures patient valuables.
• Completes all unit specific ED tech documentation in the patient’s medical record.
• Performs wound preparations and applies simple dressings as directed by the RN or LIP.
• Performs ortho splinting as directed by RN or LIP.
• Provides safe patient mobilization using aids, as directed, for safety and notifies the nurse of additional needs.
• Performs or assists with proper and safe patient lifts, transfers, turns and positioning.
• Provides for safety; bed in low position, side rails, items within reach, identified hazards and assistance.
• Assures patient maintains good body alignment, comfort, range of motion (ROM), and support.
• Responds to call lights. Assures that call lights are within reach at all times.
• Collects and tests specimens as directed (blood, urine, stool, other).
• Assists the patient with toileting and hygiene needs
• Performs post mortem care as per policy.
• Escorts/transports patient via wheelchair/stretcher to various locations within the hospital.
• Assists with monitoring of equipment alarms. Notifies nurse appropriately.
• Rounds/observes patients at least hourly, responding to all patient needs, and reports…