Emergency Department Health Technician

Quick Facts

• Role: Emergency Department Health Technician

• Work setting: Emergency Department (in-person)

• Schedule: Rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays

• Focus: Direct patient care support, diagnostic/therapeutic assistance, emergency response support, safe patient handling, and equipment/supply maintenance

Description

The Emergency Department Health Technician supports the clinical emergency team by providing direct patient care support and assisting with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The role includes documenting observations in CPRS, helping ensure safe patient movement, maintaining and operating medical equipment, and participating in emergency response activities within assigned duties. The technician also performs patient screening and reports abnormal results and safety concerns promptly.

Responsibilities

• Measure and record vital signs, weight, height, pain level, intake/output, and oxygen saturation

• Enter patient findings and observations in CPRS and notify licensed staff of abnormal results

• Perform EKG acquisition; assist with assigned point-of-care tests (capillary blood glucose, Troponin) and phlebotomy

• Assist with Foley catheter insertion, nasogastric tube placement, and authorized enteral/oral feeding

• Assist with minor procedures (suturing, incision and drainage, wound care, lumbar puncture preparation)

• Provide hygiene, toileting, linen changes, and basic physical care while maintaining patient comfort and dignity

• Identify and observe suicidal or other high-risk patients; immediately report safety concerns

• Document behavioral observations for high-risk patients according to facility policy

• Set up oxygen delivery devices and provide authorized airway support (oral/nasopharyngeal suctioning)

• Apply cervical collars and immobilization devices (e.g., long boards) as indicated

• Assist with safe patient transfer into the Emergency Department and escort/transport to clinical areas

• Prepare and pass instruments and supplies for diagnostic tests and minor procedures

• Inspect, clean, organize, and report deficiencies in clinical equipment and supplies

• Participate in BLS, resuscitation, and Rescue Team responses within authorized duties

• Assist with decontamination setup and processes when assigned

• Update the Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) to support workload tracking and patient flow

• Maintain clean utility/treatment rooms, monitor supply levels, replenish materials, and report shortages/deficiencies

• Support departmental quality improvement and patient safety activities

• Conduct patient screening and promptly communicate findings/changes to licensed clinical staff

• Receive calls and visitors and provide accurate basic information about ED services and procedures

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Pass required pre-employment screening, including urinalysis drug testing for designated positions (refusal leads to denial)

• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant required effective May 7, 2025)

• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Complete required probationary/trial period (1-year probation or 2-year trial)

• Fluent in spoken and written English

• Fluent in spoken and written Spanish

• 1 year of specialized emergency/acute care experience, including vital sign/clinical finding documentation; electronic charting and reporting abnormal results; EKG acquisition; blood glucose and troponin testing; phlebotomy; hygiene and basic physical care; observation of high-risk patients and reporting safety concerns; authorized oxygen/airway support; safe patient transfer/transport; equipment and supply maintenance; and assisting with BLS/resuscitation within assigned scope

• Meet physical requirements (standing/walking/bending/stooping, lifting/transporting/positioning patients; above-average agility and dexterity)

• For eligible current/former federal employees, meet applicable time-in-grade requirements

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefit eligibility depends on the specific position type (full-time/part-time/intermittent), so details are provided by the hiring agency.