Patient Technician Emergency Dept.

MercyOne Newton Medical Center is a fully owned hospital of MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and a member of MercyOne Network.

It is located in the city of Newton, Iowa, county seat of Jasper County. Positioned on Interstate 80, the nation’s only east/west transcontinental interstate highway, Newton is about 30 miles east of the Des Moines metropolitan area, which has a population in excess of 400,000.

MercyOne Newton has a well-deserved reputation for bucking the trend of diminished health care in rural America by enhancing the quantity and quality of its services during the last two decades. This has been accomplished by expanding, remodeling and providing technological improvements to its physical facilities and by adding new physicians. 

MercyOne Newton employees and local doctors are known for their highly productive “Iowa work ethic,” emphasis on compassion and quality patient service, and loyalty to the hospital and the community.

Our campus in Newton has 48 beds and about 200,000 square feet of space. Attached to the hospital is a 50,000-square-foot medical office building containing local physician practices and the hospital’s physical medicine and rehabilitation center.

MercyOne Newton is one of the largest employers in Jasper County, along with the local school system and the county government.

POSITION SUMMARY:  The Emergency Department Technician provides direct patient care within the Emergency Department under the supervision and delegation of ED Physicians and Registered Nurses.  Also provides clinical support to nursing and clerical staff in the ED.  Assists in maintaining a safe, clean environment in accordance with established methods and procedures of MercyOne Newton Medical Center.

Clinical Summary:  Evaluates patient care and progress, notifying registered nurse of any discrepancies.  Practices according to scope of practice as defined by law, except for specific limitations that may be put in place at discretion of Skiff Medical Center.  Under the supervision and direction of an RN, the technician shall administer perform venipuncture including IV placement, phlebotomy, performing basic clinical skills and assisting both the RN and independent medical practitioner with other procedural skills as deemed competent.  The tech will be responsible to assist with stocking, cleaning and ordering supplies in the clinical area.

Clerical Summary:  Provides support to the unit secretary by performing responsibilities and skills of the unit secretary.  Must become proficient with the Meditech computer admission process to assist in patient flow and registration.  Other responsibilities include:  answering the phone, obtaining medical records, providing assistance to visitors and families, being the center of communication for the hospital at times when the business office is closed, being responsible for the admission of the patient to the hospital when the patient is admitted through the Emergency Department, assisting with the collection of data from the ED patient and their family, contacting ancillary staff as needed, helping to make transfer arrangements, ordering and maintaining office supplies, and being responsible for assisting with collection and input of data as needed for QI. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be able to read, write and follow written and oral instructions in English.  Able to comprehend basic medical terminology and perform math skills.
• Must be able to obtain BLS certification within three months of hire and maintain BCLS certification at healthcare provider level.
• Must be able to obtain Mandatory Reporter certification within three months of hire and maintain certification.

 EDUCATION:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of 75-hour certified nurse aide course required; Completion of 150-hour advanced certified nurse aide course preferred.  
                             OR
  Certified as EMT-B or greater in the State of Iowa or on National Registry

EXPERIENCE:  One-year experience working with emergent/urgent patients preferred.  Previous experience as a technician/medic/EMT in a pre-hospital setting, combat or Emergency Department preferred.  Experience working in a position with clerical, customer service and computer skills preferred.