Emergency Department Technician

Department Overview

OHSU cares for acutely and critically ill patients in our Emergency Department. We provide the latest evidence-based care and have a reputation for effective teamwork. Emergency nurses understand the importance of their independent scope of practice and engage in dependent scope of practice decision making with the team. Emergency nurses also provide patient and family-centered care for the full spectrum of illnesses.  

The OHSU Emergency Department provides around-the-clock multidisciplinary services to clients of all ages across the life span. The department hosts a Level 1 Trauma Center, Triage (including Fast-track and Rapid Medical Evaluations), Adult Acute Care, Adult Critical Care, Observation Unit, and Acute Psychiatric Care. Patients arrive at the ED via ambulance, walk-in, through the transfer center (Trauma & PANDA), and via Rapid Response Team.  

The ED is responsible for assessing patient needs, planning and coordinating interventions, and consultations. Procedures and treatments provided in the ED include but are not limited to: placing venous access, drawing bloodwork, medication, fluid and blood administration, radiography, extremity splinting and reduction, laceration repair, moderate and deep sedation, ultrasonography, intubation, cardio-version, D&Cs, sexual assault exams, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and imminent deliveries. Patient population and diagnoses vary from minor to critical care and include chest and abdominal pain, extremity injuries and trauma, migraine, overdose, seizure, dehydration, heart failure, respiratory distress, acute stroke, acute STEMI, acute psychosis/ psychological emergencies, infection, and sepsis. Patients may frequently present with alcohol or drug abuse history, and complex medical histories. The ED Team works to determine if the patient requires admission or discharge with resources and referrals. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:1 to 1:4 based on the patient's dynamic stability and acuity. 

The Emergency Department Technician (ED Tech) position is part of the healthcare team in the Emergency Department. The ED tech performs tasks of direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and as directed by the department nurse manager. The ED tech will operate partly as a Health Unit Coordinator (HUC), will assist in the maintenance of supplies pertaining to the Emergency Department, and will assist with quality assurance activities for the Emergency Department. This individual has the ability to communicate data reflective of the patients’ status and delegated tasks to the RN or provider in charge of patient care. The ED tech assists the patient, patients’ families, visitors, nursing staff, and other support staff to assure the delivery of quality care in a safe and comfortable environment.  The ED tech demonstrates ability to provide care (as described below) to patients across the age continuum (infants, toddlers, pre-school, school-age, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients).  ED Techs contribute to the success of the department and support team members.

Function/Duties of Position

Patient Care  

• Observes all infection prevention guidelines. 
• Assists with admitting and discharge of patients.  
• Obtains accurate vital signs and patient weights.  
• Gathers and secures patient valuables. 
• Completes all unit specific ED tech documentation in the patient’s medical record. 
• Performs 12-lead EKG per standard. 
• Performs wound preparations and applies simple dressings as directed by the RN or LIP. 
• Performs ortho splinting as directed by RN or LIP. 
• Provides safe patient mobilization using aids, as directed, for safety and notifies the nurse of additional needs.  
• Performs or assists with proper and safe patient lifts, transfers, turns, and positioning. 
• Provides safety; bed in low position, side rails, items within reach, identified hazards and assistance.  
• Assures patients maintain good body alignment, comfort, range of motion (ROM), and support. 
• Responds to call lights. Assures that call lights are within reach at all times. 
• Collects and tests specimens as directed (blood, urine, stool, other). 
• Assists the patient with toileting and hygiene needs. 
• Records I&Os. 
• Provides emotional support as needed. 
• Provides and maintains needed comfort measures, e.g. blankets, pillows, etc.  
• Performs postmortem care per policy. 
• Greets visitors and family members and provides information within unit defined standards. 
• Provides and obtains shift reports as needed or as directed. 
• Escorts/transports patients via wheelchair/stretcher to various locations within the hospital. 
• Assists with monitoring of equipment alarms. Notifies nurse appropriately. 
• Rounds/observes patients at least hourly, responding to all patient needs, and reports observations as needed or directed. 
• Performs all duties necessary to ensure delivery of a prescribed diet and meets all dietary needs. 
• Provides safe and proper application, observation, and documentation of restraints/seclusion. Observes disoriented/confused patients per division of guidelines or as directed.  
• Assists RNs, physicians, and other health care team members as needed. 

Indirect care: 

• Maintains the patient care area. 
• Cleans equipment and areas in conjunction with environmental services.  
• Keeps dirty utility rooms clean and free of debris and excess supplies.  
• Distributes linen and supplies.  
• Transports specimens, equipment and medications.  
• Maintains awareness of equipment operation and reports of broken or missing equipment per OHSU standards. 
• Orders supply as necessary.  
• Stocks patient rooms and carts as needed or as directed.  
  • Resus rooms  
  • IV carts 
  • GYN, ENT, Lac carts 
  • Disinfect or discard equipment/supplies appropriately 
• Supports administrative operations 

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent;

• One year recent experience (within the past 5 years) providing patient care in an emergency department or similar setting.

• EMT, CNA or MA certification, or equivalent education. 

• BLS upon hire.

• Phlebotomy certification or equivalent experience. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree
• Current experience providing patient care in an emergency department or similar setting.

Additional Details

Constant exposure to usual hospital environmental conditions including possible exposure to blood and body fluids for which staff is provided education and protective equipment to minimize risk.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]