Emergency Department Technician

NHS; Luton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is looking for an Emergency Department Technician to assist nursing staff in delivering high-quality patient care. The ideal candidate will have an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, relevant experience in an NHS clinical setting, and competencies in basic life support and venepuncture. This role involves performing ECGs, assisting with minor injury procedures, and providing nursing care, all while under direct supervision. Apply now to join a supportive team committed to patient care.

Qualifications

• Candidates must possess NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in an NHS setting, particularly in an Emergency Department, is required.
• Basic Life Support certification for both adults and children is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist the nursing team within the Emergency Department.
• Perform ECGs, urinalysis, and various diagnostic tests.
• Provide basic nursing care and wound care under supervision.

Skills

Experience in an acute setting

Venepuncture competency

Basic Life Support Adults

Basic Life Support Paediatric

Excellent communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Emergency Department Technician

The closing date is 29 December 2025

The Emergency Department Technician role will be someone who will need a NVQ level 3 or equivalent (2 x A-levels) - or NVQ level 2 or equivalent (5 x GCSE'S A-C, including English and maths) with relevant experience in an acute setting or phlebotomy.

The candidate will have a hospital induction and then an in‑house induction with our Practice Development Team. A dedicated senior nurse will be allocated to you and they will be your point of contact for training, development and any concerns.

Main duties of the job

Successful candidates will be rotated throughout the Emergency Department assisting the nursing team. The job role will consist of:

• ECG’s
• Urinalysis
• Urine pregnancy testing
• COVID/flu swabs
• Observations/neurological observations
• Assisting the nurses
• Basic nursing care
• Wound care
• Plasters
• Assisting with minor injuries procedures
• After training, we will expect candidates to be able to do cannulation and venepuncture

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. We achieve this by using values‑based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

You will at all times work under the supervision of the Registered Nurse and will be accountable to the Registered Nurse you are working with and to the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse of the department.

• You will work to the level of your experience, assessed competence and skills acquired within the post.
• You will require immediate and direct supervision in areas of unfamiliar work. You should not undertake any task that you are unfamiliar with.
• ECGs
• Urinalysis
• Urine pregnancy testing
• COVID/flu swabs
• Observations/neurological observations
• Assisting the nurses
• Basic nursing care
• Wound care
• Plasters
• Assisting with minor injuries procedures
• After training, we will expect candidates to be able to do cannulation and venepuncture

We will also expect candidates to:

COMMUNICATION:

• Recognise and maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients and their records
• Ensure clarity in communicating with patients and their relatives as well as other team members and in answering questions within the sphere of one's own knowledge.
• Report changes in patients condition to the registered nurse on duty and participate in shift hand over to ensure effective continuity of care.
• Contribute to the ongoing support of patients and others significant to them, enabling patients to maintain their interests, identity and emotional well‑being.
• Welcome patients, their families and other visitors to the department. Introduce them to the facilities and services provided.
• Answer the telephone on a clear, friendly, helpful and professional manner. Take any messages accurately and refer to a registered nurse/midwife as necessary.
• Demonstrate a caring approach to patients, their families and visitors and to have good verbal and non‑verbal communication skills.

IMPLEMENTATION OF NURSING PRACTICE

• Assist with admitting, discharging, transferring and escorting patients in line with Trust policies.
• Contribute to the promotion of equality for all individuals by supporting anti‑discriminatory practice, patient/client choice and acknowledging individuals personal beliefs and identity.
• Maintain personal and organisational standards of health, safety and security.
• Appropriately respond in the event of a health/clinical emergency.

MANAGEMENT

• Manage time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable period, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.
• Undertake general clerical duties that may be associated with the smooth running of the department/area.
• Assist in the maintenance of department equipment and stock levels, e.g. equipment, linen, catering supplies, etc.

PROBLEM SOLVING

• Identify and report any untoward incident/accident, problem and risk as soon as possible to the nurse/midwife in charge.

TEAM WORKING

• Participate as a member of the team in fulfilling departmental administrative, clerical and housekeeping duties, e.g. booking transport, appointments, maintaining patients records, requisitions etc.
• Participate, with all team members, in maintaining and monitoring standards and assisting with audits. Help to identify potential improvements within the environment.
• Contribute to the team as an active member, always demonstrating a flexible and co‑operative approach

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or Equivalent experience

Experience

• Experience of Working in an NHS Setting
• Experience of working in an NHS Emergency Department
• Evidence of being competent in Venepuncture and Cannulation
• Basic Life Support Adults
• Basic Life Support Paediatric

Knowledge

• Understanding of ED performance targets
• Knowledge of clinical governance and the importance to perform it
• Evidence of being familiar with vital signs and monitoring early warning scores
• Recognising signs of deterioration and when to escalate
• Ability to assist with plastering
• Ability to assist with wound care and basic first aid
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to use electronic patient record's system

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address

Luton and Dunstable Hospital Emergency Department