Ambulatory Tech I

Full Time 40 hours Grade 090 Ent-Ambulatory Nursing/SMH

8 AM-5 PM

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under general direction from Nurse Leader, Nurse Manager or designee assists providers during exams. Performs a variety of clinical tasks in support of patient care in out-patient clinics including a variety of technical, procedural and information systems tasks involving patient care functions affecting the comfort, care and safety of patients.

SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION EXERCISED:

May train and coordinate activities of peers or support staff. Please refer to the career ladder.

MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Standard office equipment including computer, calculator, telephone, facsimile. Uses electronic medical record system. May set up, operate and make adjustments to various medical machines and equipment, such as but not limited to: autoclave cleaning equipment, accu-easy, telemetry, dynamapp, pulse oximeter, blood other specimen collection materials, electrocardiograph equipment and a variety of surgical/specialty instrumentation.

TYPICAL DUTIES:

• Applies clinical knowledge while assisting the provider during exam. This requires anticipating provider needs and adapting to the complexity of the patient.
• Attaches patient to diagnostic and medical equipment such as but not limited to dynamapp, pulse oximeter, EKG, cardiac monitor and pneumatic tourniquet.
• During exam provides information, comfort and care to the patient by explaining next steps, systems and their status. Assures that supplies and equipment are readily available to ensure smooth operations and patient safety. Gives patient provider’s pre-printed instructions for discharge.
• Anticipates and ensures the correct number and type of supplies are available in each exam room at all times. Assures equipment/supplies are available for provider based on individual provider preference.
• Responsible for efficient room utilization and ensures patient wait time is minimized.
• Escorts patients from the waiting area to exam areas. Obtains vital signs. Performs diagnostic testing and specimen collection per provider order. Accurately labels, logs and processes specimens according to protocol and follows all Laboratory policies at all times.
• Enters patient data, patient condition and patient care given into electronic medical record system.

• Maintains adequacy of clinical equipment and medical supply levels needed for patient care and related to patient safety which may require reordering, stocking, and cleaning. Conducts inventory of supplies, rotates inventory, monitors expiration dates, requisitions needed supplies from internal and external vendors, reconciles orders with delivery, tracks utilization for cost trending purposes. Makes recommendations regarding opportunities to decrease cost in use of equipment and supplies. Interacts and problem solves with purchasing department when products are on back order.
• Implements standard infection prevention measures such as proper hand hygiene and contact/isolation precautions according to established protocols. Monitors infection prevention practices for breaches and suggests/initiates corrections.
• With RN oversight, precepts new Ambulatory Technologist to the area providing detailed overview of requirements and assuring competence in all area of practices.
• Performs administrative duties as assigned and may include scheduling and registration.

AS A SURGICAL PROCEDURE ASSISTANT:

• Assists providers with patient processes. Prepares room and instrumentation for procedure. Provides standard, basic instruction to the patient regarding the procedure. Anticipates provider needs during the procedure, obtains additional instrumentation as needed, accurately prepares specimens for the lab and dresses wounds at wound site at the completion of the procedure.
• Checks and calibrates equipment according to equipment protocol. Sets up sterile fields as required. Preps instrument tray for procedure. Sterilizes instruments.

• Prepares specimens in appropriate preservative medium as ordered by provider and labels appropriately. Ensures accuracy for all requisitions and verifies all specimens are labeled and logged correctly.
• Reviews discharge instructions with patient as prepared by provider.

QUALIFICATIONS

High School diploma or equivalent plus one year of experience in customer focused/service setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Associates degree preferred. Knowledge of medical terminology, procedures and computer experience is preferred.

NOTE: This document describes typical duties and responsibilities and is not intended to limit management from assigning other work as required.

AMBULATORY TECHNOGIST I, II, III:

Career Ladder: The three bands within the Ambulatory Technologist position are differentiated by job code, level of independence, supervision required, specialty skill set and ability to precept new employees in the use of all equipment, in addition to the ability to lead and meet established departmental goals.

Band One (I): Entry Level Ambulatory Technologists – Technologist new to URMC require training as well as regular direct supervision or guidance from a more senior technologist. This generally involves orientation to the department’s infrastructure, policies, protocols, workflows, procedures and routines. During this period the technologist must demonstrate an ability to progress toward proficient and competent performance of required tasks of an ambulatory technologist. Success within this band requires independent responsibility for performing daily functions as defined by the department, specimen handling in a safe and efficient manner, completing all associated paper/log and computer work while providing high quality care within a team environment.

Band Two (II): Competent Ambulatory Technologists – With minimal supervision, demonstrates proficiency and competence in all aspects of job responsibilities and expectations, and consistently demonstrates initiative to assist in other areas of the department when the need arises. Serves as preceptor in the on-boarding of newly hired technologists directly orienting to equipment, computer programs, as well as department and hospital policies and procedures. Additionally, the competent band two technologist demonstrates consistent attention to detail when performing daily tasks. Assists and participates in unit safety goals. Additional duties may include working on special projects, such as new equipment evaluations, education opportunities or assignment to department committees.

Band Two status requires minimum of 6 months of progressively responsible professional work experience in the ambulatory clinic setting.

Band Three (III): Expert Ambulatory Technologists – In addition to the responsibilities of an ambulatory technologist band two, a band three is considered a subject matter expert in downtime procedures and acts as super-user when new equipment or programs are introduced to the department. Directly assists in mentoring new technologists by providing one-to-one assistance in conjunction with the lead technologist. Possesses subject matter expertise in several different areas. Is able to anticipate and plan for provider needs. Able to effectively troubleshoot issues that arise within the department and handle accordingly. Able to represent the department on various committees such as safety, quality, and operations groups. Takes responsibility to prepare the department and staff for internal service, NYS and TJC evaluations. Facilitates education of new policies and procedures to staff. Serves as a resource to the supervisors for special projects.

Band Three status requires a minimum of 1 year of progressively responsible professional work experience as an ambulatory technologist.

Eligibility for advancement consideration requires the technologist to be in good performance standing. Readiness for movement in the bands is assessed by the manager, upon successful demonstration of knowledge and task proficiency as defined in the career ladder. Movement to a higher band is based on departmental need and requires final approval from the Ambulatory Nursing Director in collaboration with Human Resources. Employees hired externally with appropriate credentials and relevant experience may enter the care ladder as a band three to service in a lead role if the need exists within the department.

All applicants must apply online.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled