Emergency Department Associate

WVU Medicine; Charleston, Northern (WV, KY); Hybrid; USD 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

WVU Medicine in Charleston, WV, seeks an entry-level patient care assistant to support licensed professionals in the Emergency Department. The role includes direct and indirect patient care, preparing exam rooms, taking vital signs, and assisting in procedures.

Candidates should have a high school diploma, BLS certification within 30 days, and may have college credits or ED experience; ACLS/PALS preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Two years of college in an applicable course of study OR Two years’ experience in an Emergency Department or pre-hospital setting.
• Preferred: WV EMT/Paramedic or applicable state licensure.
• ACLS certification.
• PALS certification.

Responsibilities

• Observe and report patient concerns or changes in condition to a registered nurse.
• Assist RN with admission, transfer, discharge and general patient care duties.
• Record vital signs, assist in personal hygiene and other patient comfort measures.
• Assist in specimen collection and other activities of assigned patients.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment to prevent infections and ensure safety.
• Report equipment repairs to appropriate personnel timely.
• Prepare patients for examinations and diagnostic procedures.
• Communicate nutrition-related issues to RN.
• Assist department with administrative tasks to support operations.
• Answer patient call bells and relay messages to appropriate staff.
• Perform tests such as glucose monitoring, urine and stool tests and maintain QC logs.
• Discontinue IV catheters as assigned.
• Assist with drainage devices and monitor outputs.
• Perform EKG testing when requested.
• Transport specimens to the lab as needed.
• Collect blood samples as ordered by physician when phlebotomy credentialed.

Skills

Clear communication

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

This position performs nonprofessional direct and indirect patient care activities under the supervision of a registered professional nurse and/or licensed medical provider.

This position assists medical and nursing staff with a variety of procedures in an Emergency setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 2. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. Currently certified as a West Virginia Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic or applicable state licensure where services will be performed.
• 2. Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
• 3. Certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

EXPERIENCE

• 1. Two years of college in an applicable course of study (nursing, biology, physical therapy, sports medicine, or related field) OR Two years’ experience in an Emergency Department or pre-hospital setting.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. Observes and reports all patient concerns/changes in condition to a registered nurse immediately.
• 2. Assists the Registered Nurse with admission, transfer, discharge and general patient care duties.
• 3. Records the vital signs, assists in personal hygiene and other patient comfort measures. Records oral intake and outputs (temperature, blood pressure and other monitoring).
• 4. Assists in specimen collection and other activities of assigned patients.
• 5. Assists in indirect patient care by maintaining a clean and safe environment to help prevent and/or control infections and to provide for safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• 6. Reports all necessary equipment repairs to appropriate personnel according to departmental procedure in a timely manner.
• 7. Prepares patients for examinations and diagnostic procedures according to departmental procedure.
• 8. Communicates with RN regarding any nutrition issues, such as poor appetite or verbalized lack of understanding of diet changes.
• 9. Assists department with administrative tasks to support the department operations.
• 10. Answers patient call bell and relays message to appropriate personnel.
• 11. Performs assigned tests such as glucose monitoring, urine and stool testing and maintains quality control testing & logs, according to department policy.
• 12. Performs routine discontinuation of IV catheters as assigned.
• 13. Assists in care of drainage devices such as penrose drains, chest tubes and similar catheters while maintaining accurate output.
• 14. Ability to perform EKG testing upon request.
• 15. Transport of specimens to the Lab as needed.
• 16. Collects blood samples as per physician order, when phlebotomy credentialed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• 1. Heavy/Hard Work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, and walking.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• 1. Working closely with others.
• 2. Working protracted or irregular hours.
• 3. Working around biohazards.
• 4. Working around infectious diseases.
• 5. Working with or near the deceased.
• 6. Working with hands in water.
• 7. Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.
• 8. Working in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• 1. Ability to effectively communicate with staff and patients.
• 2. Ability to adapt to changing environments.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36
Shift: Exempt/Non-Exempt:
United States of America (Non-Exempt)
Company: THOM Thomas Hospitals
Cost Center: 51
THOM Nursing Emergency Services Address: 4605 Maccorkle Ave SW South Charleston West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

The West Virginia University Health System is West Virginia’s largest health system and largest private employer, providing care to communities across West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The integrated academic health system includes 25 hospitals and five institutes, with more than 3,500 licensed beds, 4,000 clinicians, 39,000 employees, and $8.5 billion in annual operating revenues. Anchoring the system in Morgantown, West Virginia, are WVU Hospitals, an 880-bed academic medical center, and the 150-bed WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital. Together, the Health System’s hospitals, clinics, and specialty programs provide a comprehensive continuum of care, ranging from community-based primary and specialty services to highly complex, quaternary care and post-acute care.