Advanced Patient Care Tech - Emergency Room

CHRISTUS Health System; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

CHRISTUS Health’s Emergency Department seeks a dedicated APCT to monitor patients, collect data, and assist with IV therapy lines under physician or nurse direction. This role inventories supplies, assists with procedures, and mentors new staff within the ED team.

The position focuses on bedside testing, accurate documentation, and maintaining a clean, safe environment. The APCT collaborates with nurses and physicians to ensure rapid, quality patient care.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent plus trade or vocational school in medical/surgical patient care.
• Must have critical thinking skills and the ability to prioritize quickly.
• Knowledge of emergency medical response and life support principles.
• Ability to operate and maintain emergency medical apparatus and equipment.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to read and interpret technical reports and write concise reports.
• Ability to handle high stress and maintain composure; computer skills to enter data and generate reports.

Responsibilities

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies.
• Reports changes in patient status to the nurse promptly.
• Accurately documents vital signs and input/output values.
• Provides personal care assistance including bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, transfers, and ambulation.
• Ensures patients are turned regularly and uses protective devices for comfort and skin integrity.
• Maintains patient records and charts; completes property sheets for admitted or transferred patients.
• Ensures patient safety and proper use of safety devices.
• Responds to emergencies per instruction and adheres to HIPAA guidelines.
• Answers call lights promptly and follows infection control standards.
• Carries out procedures per hospital policies and maintains a clean environment.
• Anticipates workload and maintains supplies for patient care.
• Collects specimens according to hospital policy; assists with post-mortem care and monitoring restraints.
• Assists with orientation and training of new staff; attends in-services and staff meetings.

Skills

Critical thinking

Emergency medical response

First aid and life support

Communication skills

Stress management

Computer skills

Education

High School diploma and vocational training in medical/surgical patient care

Job description

Summary:

The APCT is responsible for quick reaction and competent care of patients with emergency situations that arrive at the hospital. Monitors patients, collects information and documents data. Inserts and removes peripheral intravenous therapy lines under the direction of the physician/nurse. Performs blood collection, and Foley catheter placements. Performs wound care and dressing changes; applies plaster and fiberglass splints, casts and traction devices. Performs bedside testing such as oximetry, glucometery, and other point of care tests. Operates and monitors patient monitoring systems specific to unit. Specific duties include: insures cleanliness of unit, cleans and stores equipment and empties sharps containers. Documents all interventions and data, communicates with the primary nurse on findings and interventions.

The APCT stocks medical supplies and paper goods; inventories and processes broken equipment as required; assists physicians and nurses with procedures under their direction; assures proper storage of E-cylinders (oxygen); organizes care in a manner that contributes to the overall quality of the team; and performs other job duties as assigned, within their scope of practice. The APCT is a vital part of the ED team and acts as a mentor and preceptor to new staff.

Responsibilities:

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• Reports pertinent information such as changes in a patient's physical or mental status to the nurse in a timely fashion.
• Accurately obtains (using manual or electronic devices) and documents patient vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, respirations, & pulse.
• Accurately obtains and documents fluid intake and output values and patient's weight.
• Provides personal care assistance to patients, including bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, feeding, toileting, transferring, and ambulating using appropriate assistive devices when needed and documents intervention.
• Ensures that appropriate patients are turned and re-positioned at least every two hours and applies protective devices to ensure comfort and prevent skin breakdown and documents intervention.
• Maintains patient records and charts to ensure an accurate record of the care the patient received, completes property sheets on admitted or transferred patients.
• Ensures the safety of all patients; has safety devices in use when needed and prevents patient from injury at all times.
• Responds appropriately and according to instruction during emergency situations.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to patient comfort, privacy and confidentiality and consistently adheres to HIPAA guidelines.
• Answers call lights in a timely fashion.
• Follows universal precautions/infection control standards to prevent the spread of disease or infection and disposes of infectious waste appropriately.
• Has basic knowledge of, and adheres to, patient safety goals as appropriate.
• Carries out procedures according to hospital standards, policies and procedures.
• Maintains a comfortable, clean, and uncluttered environment both in the patient's room and on the unit.
• Anticipates and coordinates workload to assure that routines and supplies are maintained to expedite patient care.
• Collects sputum, urine and stool specimens according to hospital policy.
• Assists in the provision of post-mortem care according to hospital standards.
• Assists with appropriate monitoring of restraints under the supervision of the nurse.
• Assists with orientation and training of new staff.
• Attends educational in-services and staff meetings on a regular basis.
• Inserts and removes peripheral intravenous therapy lines under the direction of the physician/nurse. May only flush line with normal saline flush. Does not place external jugular lines or administer intravenous fluids.

Job Requirements:

Education/Skills

• High School diploma or equivalent plus trade or vocational school in medical/surgical patient care.
• Must have critical thinking skills and the ability to prioritize quickly
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of:
  • Emergency medical response
  • Principles of emergency medical service provision
  • First aid and life support
• Ability to operate and maintain emergency medical apparatus and equipment
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to read and interpret technical reports, charts, etc.
• Ability to write concise reports
• Ability to handle a high level of stress and to maintain composure under a variety of adverse conditions
• Computer skills required to enter data and generate reports

Experience

• One year EMT, CNA or CMA experience preferred

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Current BLS issued through American Heart Association is required. Proof of EMT course completion or completion of 1st level of nursing school required. Two (2) years of experience as CNA or CMA can substitute for course completion. De-Escalation certification preferred.

In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain the required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.

Work Schedule:

7PM - 7AM

Work Type:

Full Time