Unit Extender - Emergency - Full Time - 11a-11p Shift

Job Summary:

The Unit Extender position is divided into four (4) individual roles with specific job duties within each role. An individual in this position is expected to be able to function effectively in all roles. The four (4) roles consist of the ED scribe/transcriptionist, ED Patient Care Technician, the ED Triage Technician and the ED Clerk. The Unit Extender provides patient care under the direction of licensed staff and within the scope of defined practice.

Essential Functions: 

 

Competent Nursing

1. Accountable for problem solving and critical thinking.
2. Serves as a patient advocate.
3. Knowledgeable for therapies, diagnostic results and products for patient use.
4. Uses evidenced based practice and pursues new knowledge including but not limited to:
   1. Participates in data collection and Performs research/pilots and creates new projects
   2. Shares research findings with others for the development of policies, procedures, and practice guidelines for patient care
   3. Applies knowledge and skills to the practice of nursing
5. Systematically evaluates clinical care by:
   1. Collects and monitors data for quality and effective clinical care
   2. Implements activities to enhance the quality of clinical care
   3. Participates with interdisciplinary teams that evaluate clinical practice or health services
   4. Demonstrates knowledge and executes the unit’s standards, policies and procedures to ensure safe, effective patient care. Interacts with others to achieve desired outcomes.
6. Responsible for patient assignments and unit flow while maintaining a calming atmosphere. Leads by example to ensure Associates demonstrate the skills and tasks to achieve positive outcomes.
7. Promotes the best patient plan of care according to identified needs based on nursing assessment in collaboration with patient, family, and healthcare team.

 

Patient Education

1. Applies patient goals and education utilizing knowledge of age appropriate, culturally and ethically sensitive care techniques through the life span in planning and implementing care.
2. Initiates development of teaching tools in order to provide instructional guidance as needed related to the education of the patient, family and/or support person specific to the patients assessed learning needs. Is persistent and realistic in instructional methodology empowering the patient and family to develop skills so they can advocate for themselves.

 

Respect/Dignity

1. Defends patient rights and improves care on the unit and in the Organization.
2. Exudes trustworthy behaviors, as noticed by colleagues, patients, and their families.
3. Conducts self in an ethical manner while working toward positive outcomes for the patient and their family.
4. Demonstrates optimism and is adaptable to changes made in the department.
5. Shows genuine concern for colleagues, patients, and their families.
6. Maintains patient confidentiality and privacy within legal and regulatory parameters and delivers care in a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner that is sensitive to patient diversity.
7. Delivers care in a manner that preserves patient autonomy, dignity and rights; seeks available resources in formulating ethical decisions, preserves the patient’s privacy and refers cases as appropriate to the Ethics Committee.

 

Patient Safety

1. Promotes a culture of safety through identification of adverse events that warrants disclosure.
2. Establishes and uses the standardized methodology to identify report, manage, investigate, analyze and trend incidents, "near-misses" or other critical and adverse outcomes.
3. Responsible for treatment of patients in a safe environment according to Safety and Infection Control guidelines and Universal Protocols.

 

Shared Nursing Leadership

1. Embraces new concepts by making efforts to become a self-directed, creative, progressive and visionary thinker.
2. Fosters innovation by motivating and inspiring others.
3. Pursues specialty certification, professional membership, and education.
4. Skilled in decision making abilities and exhibits a positive character.
5. Contributes to a supportive and healthy work environment for students and Associates.
6. Values and respects all levels of nursing.

 

Communication/Collaboration

1. Maintains honest, exemplary interpersonal skills while providing open and clear communication of relevant facts.
2. Maintains and participates in a strong teamwork environment.
3. Accepts instruction and suggestions with optimism in an approachable manner.
4. Asks questions when clarification/ instruction is needed.
5. Maintains composure during demanding periods of time.
6. Acts as a positive role model to implement and sustain change in the work environment.
7. Contributes to the achievements of the goals, mission, vision, and philosophy of the Organization.

 

Positive Outcomes

1. Demonstrates a commitment to professional and ethical accountability. Maintains and expands knowledge and skill. Possesses a spirit of inquiry to promote excellent patient care.
2. Develops and sustains a helping, trusting, and authentic caring relationship in a healing environment for the patient and their families.
3. Anticipates, identifies and prioritizes patient needs appropriately.

 

Teamwork

1. Utilizes team discussions to establish goals and develops mutual trust and loyalty among colleagues.
2. Facilitates a partnership between healthcare team, patients, and families to establish a plan for a healing environment and desired outcomes.
3. Promotes and maintains a positive:
   1. Collaboration in a non-defensive manner.
   2. Flexible in assignments and understands compromise.
   3. Responds to direction.
   4. Exudes congenial, humble and resilient behaviors.

 

Caring/Compassion

1. Promotes the best patient plan of care according to identified needs based on nursing assessment in collaboration with patient, family, and healthcare team.
2. Applies knowledge of culturally sensitive care techniques to ensure sensitivity to self and others.
3. Develops a nurturing, protective relationship with the patient and their family.
4. Embodies humanistic nursing by maintaining a calming atmosphere, providing emotional and spiritual support.

 

Essential Job Duties

1. Essential Unit Extender All Roles Job Duties
   1. Assists licensed nursing staff/physicians in providing direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
   2. Maintains safe, clean environment for patients and staff.
   3. Maintains accurate and complete patient records to ensure expeditious retrieval of information.
   4. Order and organize supplies to facilitate an efficient work environment.
   5. Deliver medications to the nursing stations and other departments as required. 
   6. Consider the age of the patient served, apply knowledge of growth and development and age-specific techniques throughout the life span (neonates/infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients) in planning and implementing care.

 

1. Essential Unit Extender ED Clerk Job Duties
   1. Manages incoming calls to the Emergency Department.
   2. Assists with general patient flow issues (directing traffic).
   3. Enters patient data into cardiac monitoring system.
   4. Assures that the vital sign print offs are placed on the correct chart.
   5. Knowledge of Meditech order entry and efficient use of EMR
   6. Contacts/Pages physicians as directed by ED Physician or RN.
   7. Maintains neat and orderly work areas including desk, nursing station, radiology viewing room/break area.
   8. Notifies bed management/nursing supervisor of patient admission assignments.
   9. Copies admitted patient’s paper chart for temporary ED record and prints and copies transfer patient’s complete ED record.
   10. Obtains paper chart and faxes to other health care providers per request.
   11. Manages requests from other departments within Ephraim McDowell and outlying medical facilities.
   12. Assists the Charge Nurse/MD with the Patient follow-ups.
   13. Notifies PBX Operator of all Trauma Alerts, Stroke Alerts, Code STEMI’s, CONDITION BLUE and enter patient data into the Trauma Record Book, if patient is a Trauma.
   14. Confirms and signs off that all charts are in the folder for each date (Night shift).
   15. Organizes daily call list (Night shift).
   16. Assures that the Patient Care Technician or RN is aware of all new orders in a timely manner.

 

1. Essential Unit Extender ED Triage Technician Job Duties
   1. Assists the Triage RN to improve flow throughout the triage process.
   2. Receives patient data into electronic medical record (without chief complaint entry) and applies armband immediately after proper patient identification.
   3. Obtains patient signature and witnesses for consent of treatment.
   4. Obtains vital signs of patients awaiting triage by RN and records information on the MD template and in the electronic medical record (including a weight on all pediatric patients).
   5. Acts as a liaison for patients and families waiting in the ED waiting area.
   6. Assists Patient Care Technician in the department when triage is not busy and clears with triage nurse.
   7. Enters orders into computer system as directed by Triage RN.
   8. Completes blood and specimen collection at the discretion of the ED Triage RN.
   9. Assures that the triage area and the ED waiting area is adequately stocked and in clean, neat order.
   10. Documents patient care as applicable and within job description (ex: X-ray, specimen collection, patient requests, or activity).
   11. Informs Triage RN of any obvious, emergent concerns or issues that arise in the ED waiting area (Patients complaining of chest pain, shortness of air, or uncontrolled bleeding).
   12. Escorts patients to exam rooms with direction from the Triage RN and instructs patient to change into gown.
   13. Re-checks vital signs of patients waiting in the lobby per ED protocol and documents in the electronic medical record.

     4. Essential Unit Extender ED Patient Care Technician

1. General bedside assistance and care of the patient (ex: ADL’s, bedpan, bedside commode, assistance with ambulation and to the bathroom).
2. Knowledge of set up for simple procedures.
3. Completes specimen collection (blood, urine, wound, etc.).
4. Documents patient care as applicable and within job description (ex: x-ray, specimen collection, patient requests or activity).
5. Checks that all rooms are cleaned appropriately between each patient.
6. Performs equipment checks on the unit (defibrillators, blanket warmer, refrigerators, wheelchairs, RSI cart, ice machine, expired supplies, oxygen tanks).
7. Patient transport for admission or to other areas for tests.
8. IV and Lab stocking (and check for outdated supplies).
9. Assures that adequate lab supplies are available in med room and retrieves needed supplies as applicable.
10. Assists RN and/or MD with miscellaneous procedures within scope of practice.
11. Receives patient data into electronic medical record (without chief complaint entry) and applies armband immediately after proper patient identification.
12. Obtains patient signature and witnesses for consent of treatment.
13. Performs EKG(rolling carts only) within 10 minutes of arrival on all cardiac patients
14. Applies cardiac monitor.
15. Obtains vital signs per protocol and records them on the MD template and in electronic medical record(including a weight on all pediatric patients).
16. Performs general wound cleansing and dressing at the direction of the RN or MD.
17. Informs the patient’s nurse immediately of any obvious emergent concerns or issues that arises with any patient.

 

5. Additional Essential Job Duties

1. Demonstrates a commitment to professional accountability and growth to maintain and expand knowledge and skills.
2. Contributes to the achievement of the mission, vision, and values of the Organization.
3. Contributes to the effective operations of the Organization by demonstrating dependability in job performance.
4. Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of patient family centered care into practice (dignity, respect, information sharing, and participation).
5. Demonstrates a commitment to the development and implementation of shared governance across the Organization.
6. Performs other related duties as assigned.

    

   WORKING CONDITIONS, HAZARDS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:

   Works in a well lighted, ventilated and air conditioned area. Often exposed to unpleasant odors, sights, and sounds. Long periods of standing, walking, stooping, heavy lifting and bending are required. Risks exposure to disease, infection and physical strain, and assault. Risks exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, radiation and anti-neoplastic agents. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. independently. May work all shifts, some weekends and overtime.

    

   CONTACTS WITH OTHERS:

   Patients, family members, support person, significant others, physicians, Associates, other healthcare providers, community resource personnel, administrative staff, and hospital support services.

    

   EQUIPMENT USED/SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

   Must have computer skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR EQUIVALENTS:

Education:

High school graduate or equivalent. Will receive on the job training. Medical terminology is preferred.