Emergency Department Assistant

Job Description

The Emergency Department Assistant (EDA) functions in an assistive role to the Registered Professional Nurse, in provision of direct and indirect patient care activities in the Emergency Department. 

The EDA functions as a member of the ED multidisciplinary team under the direct supervision of the Registered Professional Nurse and ED Physician.

The Emergency Department Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities:

• Follows established policies, procedures and standards of care in all areas of practice.
• Facilitates the coordination patient flow, assists health care team, and independently performs duties.
• Plans, organizes, and prioritizes daily activities and multiple tasks.
• Demonstrates familiarity with ED specific protocols and equipment.
• Gives and receives shift report.

Direct Patient Care Activities:

• Provides wound care

• Cleanses and irrigates wounds using aseptic technique
• Applies simple and complex dressings appropriate to type of wound, including application of ointments (Neosporin, Silvadene) and impregnated dressings (Xeroform, Duoderm).
• Applies Steri-strips as directed
• Performs suture removal

• Assists with splinting and orthopedic devices

• Assists with positioning/immobilization of patients to enable casting
• Applies splinting/orthopedic devices (soft cervical collar, metal and plastic splints, wrist brace, sling, aircast, elastic bandage, knee and shoulder immobilizers, cast shoe, posterior mold, plaster cast)
• Instructs assistive devices and ensures patient competency in crutch walking, cane usage

• Performs ECGs
• Performs Stat, chest pain, ECGs within 10 minutes
• Accurately enters patient data for procedure

• Ensures order entry into Powerchart
• Retrieves previous ECGs for comparison
• Presents ECGs to ED Attending for review and documents activity
• Transmits data every two hours

• Performs phlebotomy in addition to specimen collection (urine, stool, sputum)
• Labels and processes specimens according to established protocols and policies
• Performs bedside waived testing procedures and maintains annual competency
• Assists with admission, transfer, and discharge process
• Prepares patient and room for MD or RN assessment, evaluation, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (work may require lifting and positioning of patients)
• Obtains vital signs and routinely reassess vital signs
• Applies cardiac monitor/pulse oximetry
• Prepares oxygen, suction equipment, and other respiratory aids
• Collects and records intake and output
• Administers and assists with direct patient care and patient hygiene activities
• Makes rounds of patients and anticipates their needs
• Answers patient’s call lights promptly
• Applies comfort and safety measures 
• Transports and/or retrieves patients, specimens, equipment and/or supply as needed, including to front door on discharge.
• Documents on medical record all patient care provided, including charge voucher
• Removes fixed rings using ring cutter and ensures identity and possession of patient belongings
• Performs CPR
• Performs morgue care

Indirect Patient Care Activities:

• Completes all necessary duties to ensure a clean, safe, attractive work environment

• Cleans, organizes, and prepares patient rooms; notifies appropriate personnel for mopping, garbage disposal

• Maintains stock of patient care items according to standards, orders accordingly in Powerchart
• Cleans and prepares for processing of equipment requiring sterilization
• Returns sterilized equipment to proper location and stores excess equipment
• Performs daily departmental room checks and bedside waived testing quality measures
• Assists with order entry and telephone response
• Utilizes and updates online patient and bed tracking systems

• Performs tasks and activities as delegated by the RN or MD to facilitate patient care and the efficient operations of the Emergency Department.
• Participates in Emergency Preparedness procedures

Qualifications

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent required. 
• Previous patient care experience required with demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills. 
• CPR certification from American Heart Association

Preferred:

• Phlebotomy and ECG skills preferred. 
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to work in a fast-paced environment desired. 
• College degree or interest in health care field preferred. 
• EMT-B certification helpful.
  
   

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. 

Background Check 

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. 

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.  

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. 

Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits  

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.  

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.  

Compensation: 24.26 to 24.26 (USD) (HOURLY)