ER Assistant

Job Summary:

Under direct supervision, performs routine patient care duties following all assignments given by the Registered Nurse in charge of Emergency Services. Assists in treatment rooms.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Completes documentation and functions as information source for patients when appropriate.
• Responsible for adhering to all standards of nursing care and for promoting teamwork among co-workers.
• Patient Health Care: Instruct patients on general health and basic self care procedures.
• Review, explain and clarify physician orders with patient or parent.
• Instruct patients in use of home equipment.
• Administer patient first aid.
• Apply orthopedic appliances.
• Apply and remove dressings.
• Execute treatments such as urinary catheterizations, bladder irrigations and installations, suctioning procedures, throat irrigations.
• Follow standard infection control procedures.
• Give enemas.
• Initiate emergency procedures (including CPR) and provide emergency patient treatment.
• Irrigate and pack wounds.
• Safely Lift patients.
• Monitor patients vital signs and for bleeding.
• Observe machine monitors.
• Perform inhalation therapy and surgical preps.
• Prepare and position patients for procedures.
• Respond to Code Blues.
• Take and record patient vital signs, height, weight, etc.
• Obtain patient specimens.
• Prepare samples and specimens for lab analysis.
• Perform waive testing, including but not limited to blood glucose, urine dip, and pregnancy testing.
• Check patients vision with Snellen chart.
• Assist physician in obtaining tissue specimens and biopsies.
• Restrain or support patient during procedures.
• Select and pass instruments.
• Deliver food trays to patients.
• Heat and serve patient meals.
• Records and Patient Information: Schedule, cancel or reschedule patient appointments, when necessary.
• Direct members to appropriate department.
• Question patients regarding nature or illness and medical problems.
• Make initial assessment of patient condition.
• Fill out maintenance forms, as appropriate.
• Fill out laboratory, x-ray, diagnostic test requisitions or specialized test forms.
• Complete referral forms, as necessary.
• Obtain patient signature on consent forms.
• Record all procedures and activities during emergencies.
• Transport patient to and from designated areas.
• Route specimens to laboratory.
• Transport laboratory specimens and procedures trays.
• Equipment and Instruments: Ensure equipment is available for procedures and examinations.
• Assemble and disassemble equipment and instruments.
• Check and stock emergency supply charts.
• Check that defibrillators are working.
• Set up and organize exam rooms.
• Select instruments and equipment.
• Set up instruments and surgical trays.
• Stock and restock treatment and procedure rooms.
• Rinse and clean instruments and equipment.
• Maintain clean work area.
• Administrative and other: Train and orient new or less experienced personnel.
• Answers call lights.
• Answer nurses station telephone.
• Answer telephones and take messages.
• Locate personnel by paging system or existing technology.
• Assume other activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed, such as EKGs.