Department Technician

Job Summary:

Under indirect supervision, performs patient assistance, technical, and clerical activities; provides direct patient care by assisting with preoperative admission process and postoperative discharge process; communicates with patients and family regarding surgical start time, delays, admission, and discharge activities and other educational information as appropriate; works cooperatively with staff and other departments in maintaining pre and post operative standards of nursing care.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Facilitates admission of patient of preoperative preparation; receives patient; secures belongings; admits to appropriate bed space.
• Reviews patient orders and routine pre- and/or post-operative requirements; determines resources and key processes for facilitating diagnostic testing, transfer and equipment needs.
• Informs Operating Room Services of patients arrival; coordinates patient preparation times and notifies patients of change in surgery report time according to daily work schedule and progress of operating room.
• Performs and assists with specific tests and procedures (e.g., 12 lead EKG, blood glucose via meter, shave prep, application of various monitoring and therapeutic devices).
• Assists with activities of daily living and other physical preparations for surgery.
• Considers age, physical/mental limitations and condition when assisting with patient care; reports pertinent observations, patient/family status to nursing staff; assures that nursing staff is aware of patient/family needs.
• Provides information and teaching, as needed, to patients and family in friendly and courteous manner; assists in keeping patient and families comfortable and informed of surgical times, delays, etc.; provides directions or accompaniment to various hospital locations.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse events in patients/visitors; assures that emergency patient care equipment is maintained and ready for use.
• Assists with patient admission to Phase I Recovery by providing nursing staff with monitoring and therapeutic supplies, patient data and chart forms, as needed; assists with physical restraint to protect disoriented patients.
• Assists with ambulating and provides appropriate nourishment during Phase II Recovery.
• Transports patients for diagnostic tests and within Operating Room Services as needed.
• Assists in patient discharge process; obtains patients belongings, monitoring, therapeutic and other supplies necessary for patient transport; notifies patients ride for same day discharges; facilitates pick-up of take home medications; provides instructions and information as needed; transports to appropriate location.
• Prepares stretcher and work area for further patient care needs.
• Utilizes universal precautions when assisting with patient care; maintains clean, safe, and well-equipped environment for patients and staff.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and work-related information.
• Ensures that patient data appropriate to specific work area is provided via patient registry.
• Assists with preparation/maintenance of all current surgical documents.
• Receives incoming phone calls, faxes, PTS contents, and email; relays information, as needed, to coordinate department work flow and patient care.
• Facilitates communication of needs to other health care members and/or departments during unit/patients emergencies.
• Organizes and updates census board.
• Facilitates communication with other departments for appointments/bed assignments.
• Operates computer for order entry, specific patient information, general inquiry, word processing, and electronic mail.
• Establishes/maintains efficient ordering system; orders office and patient care supplies; sustains record of pending non-stock and stock requisitions; notifies supervisor of items received and/or problems with ordering system.
• Receives supply order; distributes supplies to appropriate location; labels equipment as needed.
• Picks-up, delivers, and/or returns records, supplies, equipment, x-rays, and specimens to and from other departments in clinic or hospital.
• Picks-up and distributes unit mail and paychecks.
• Initiates work orders for General and Biomedical Maintenance, telecommunications, and private repair companies.
• Maintains record or work orders in progress; sends record of completed work orders to supervisor.
• Maintains current information at nurses station (e.g., phone numbers, provider codes, on-call schedules); ensures easy access to chart forms, requisitions, department forms; deletes outdated memos from clipboard, and bulletin board.
• Adds/deletes new/revised policies/procedures to manuals.
• Facilitates data collection for census statistics and Quality Improvement Program.
• Records minutes of unit meeting as assigned.
• Supports standards of pre and post-operative nursing care.
• Adheres to policies and procedures of organization and Surgical Services.
• Demonstrates knowledge of emergency response, safety, and infection control policies.
• Participates in economical utilization of supplies.
• Maintains open channel of communication with co-workers and supervisor.
• Handles multiple activities in calm, constructive manner.
• Participates in unit staff meetings; collaborates with other team members to improve department performance and provide quality patient care services, and committees for improvement of care.
• Assists in orientation, training and development of new technicians.
• Recognizes own educational needs and seeks knowledge to increase skill and ability.
• Demonstrates sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities in area of specialization.
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide care and/or service appropriate to age groups served.