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Anyone an ER Tech?
Started by coffee610
I'm an ER Tech at a hospital in Northern Cal. Are you looking for hospitals to work at as an ER Tech or are you looking for programs that give the necessary training? I'm assuming you mean the latter. Anyway, generally you need to become EMT certified to get hired as a tech. In NorCal, you can do that through many community colleges and some private, though more expensive, programs such as NCTI (http://www.ncti-online.com/). Then, once youre certified, start applying to hospitals.
I've been (and still moonlight as) an ER Tech, but up in the NW. Most of the hospitals around here did OTJ training and picked their staff from local volunteer ambulance crews and nursing students. Formal programs may exist, but I'm not aware of any. I suggest calling the hospitals around you. Try the Human Resources Dept or asking for the Emergency Dept Supervisor or Director of Nursing Services. Hope this helps, and good luck.
they let me work as a tech in the ER with my EMT training.
They wipe dirty butts, cleanup feces/urine/puke, move patients, assist nurses and doctors with whatever needs to be done. Some even draw blood, do EKGs, take BP/Glucose readings, do chest compressions, a whole list of clinically related stuff, etc..
As an ED volunteer myself, I get to assist with the former (except for the cool assisting part) and don't get to do any of the latter, unfortunately.
As an ER tech, I regularly draw blood/insert IVs, put in foley catheters, remove sutures/staples, do EKGs, apply immobilization (make different kinds of splints, etc.), interview patients, learn from physicians. Other routine parts of the job include transporting patients and stocking supplies.
Around here you have to be either an NAI or NAII. Different levels for different hospitals.
yep, that's the job in a nutshell.
they usually pay $9-15 (around here), depending on the hospital
Although certification such as EMT is generally required, a lot of stuff you learn is from on the job training. An compensation in Northern California is around $18-22/hr
go to www.ahcregistry.com to see if you qualify for reciprocity as an Emergency Department Technician. I qualified with my EM training.
