Description

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Unit Description:

The Penn Medicine Emergency Department Observation Unit (EDOU) provides round-the-clock care for patients who require short stays in the hospital after a visit to the emergency department. The EDOU’s mission is to improve and expedite care for patients with conditions that require continued emergency management but whose care can often be completed in fewer than 24 hours.

Summary:

• The Emergency Department Technician is an integral member of the health care team who delivers quality care through collaboration and communication with team members. They work under the direct supervision of the registered nurse to support and assist the nurse in the delivery of quality care to patients and families. Some of the major responsibilities will include collection and reporting of patient data, incorporating organizational competencies of superior quality care and assuming responsibility and accountability for their role performance outcomes while supporting UPHS's Standards of Excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Receives written/verbal report at the beginning of each shift from the registered nurse (RN) regarding the care that is to be delivered to the assigned group of patients, or for patient needing constant observation.

• Gives report when leaving unit, and at the completion of the shift regarding the care that was delivered; any abnormalities that occur during the shift are to be reported as they occur to the RN as well as to the oncoming Emergency Department Technician.

• Identifies the patient per hospital policy before carrying out functions.

• Assists with data collection for nursing history and physical e.g., vital signs, ht. wt, blood sugar results, point of care testing results, functional status and communicates changes to the RN in a timely fashion.

• Participates in respectful communication with patients, families and coworkers.

• Provides patient and family information to the registered nurse for coordination of care and discharge planning.

• Observes skin changes and reports discoloration, abrasions, infestations or skin breakdown.

• Assists in setting mutually agreed upon realistic individual patient goals.

• Integrates the RN’s directions re: the patient’s plan of care into the care given to the patient.

• Gives RN report before the end of the shift regarding the patient’s response to the plan of care issues, and at various times during the shift to report unusual findings e.g., abnormal blood sugar results, vital sign changes, pain etc.

• Participate in unit upkeep and cleanliness of the Emergency Department.

• Promotes infection control by using the appropriate hand washing techniques.

• Follows standard precautions and any other isolation precautions as dictated by the patient’s condition.

• Maintains a safe environment and protects the patient from injury by observing the patient who may be at risk for falls, confusion, disorientation, wandering or suicidal behaviors; follows Constant Observation Policy.

• Applies and monitors patients in restraints per policy and per medical order.

• Observes or monitors behavior/health state and responses to therapy. a) Temperature, Pulse, Respiration • b) Blood Pressure • c) Neurological Checks d) Vascular Checks • e) Height and Weight f) Intake and Output • g) Bowel and Bladder Function Checks h) Pain • Communicates pertinent observations to appropriate members of the health care team in a timely fashion.

• Performs patient care rounds per unit policy.

• Participates in staff and unit council meetings.

• Works in collaboration with all members of the healthcare team.

• Reports findings to nurse concerning the patient and or family which may impact patient care.

• Performs or assists the patient with activities of daily living such as bathing, (bed, tub, shower, or sitz) grooming, eating, feeding, range of motion, ambulating, transferring and oral hygiene.

• Participates in the prevention and treatment of skin breakdown.

• Applies current accepted methods of heat and cold therapy as directed by the nurse.

• Provides for the patient’s oral dietary needs using currently accepted methods.

• Provides for the elimination needs by giving a bed pan, urinal, emptying urinary and or bowel appliances or implementing the bowel program under the direction of the RN.

• Performs post mortem care.

• Assists the physician to perform physical exams.

• Encourage the use of the pulmonary toilet by using the incentive spirometer, coughing, turning and deep breathing.

• Utilizes the appropriate equipment for patient lifting. • Participates in Quality Monitoring Procedures. a) Daily accucheck controls • b) Daily UA controls • c) Daily urine HCG controls • Reinforces health care instruction to patients according to the directions of the nurse. • Displays competence in using the following equipment and reports findings to the registered nurse: • a) Pulse oximeter b) 12 Lead ECG • c) Vital sign machine d) Blanket warmer • e) POC machines f) Glucometer • g) Lift and transfer devices • h) Defibrillator • Provides 1:1 observation for patients. • Perform phlebotomy as directed by the RN. • Assists professional staff with: • a) Spinal immobilization including use of cervical collar and backboard • b) 12 lead ekg • c) Splinting • d) Crutch fitting and ambulation • e) Irrigate wounds • f) Resuscitative efforts

• Transports patients to diagnostic testing or to other patient care areas.

• Other duties as assigned

• Documents findings, interventions and patient outcome results on patient documents. This may include I&O, VS, Bladder scanner results, pulse ox results, glucometer results or other findings.

• Documents using complete signature.

• Documents in PennChart all interventions and findings.

• Assists in evaluating nursing care given by comparing the patient's functional status from day to day and discussing this with the nurse.

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

• Other duties as assigned to support the unit, department, entity, and health system organization

Education or Equivalent Experience:

• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)

• Basic Life Support Certification (Required)

• Certified Nursing Assistant or Emergency Medical Technician Certification preferred OR 1+ year experience. *In lieu of certification, candidate must have at least one year or more experience in a related clinical role, OR be a nursing student matriculated in an accredited BSN nursing program having minimally completed the nursing foundations/fundamentals clinical course. In order for nursing students to maintain their position as an Emergency Department Technician, they must continue in a matriculated BSN program and present evidence with an official transcript documenting enrollment to their Manager of record. Failure to meet and maintain nursing student requirements in lieu of certification will result in termination of your Emergency Department Technician position.Education Specialization: Certified Nursing Assistant or Emergency Medical Technician Certification preferred.

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law. REQNUMBER: 210913