Advice on how to get an ER tech position?

Gabby-RN · Mar 23, 2014

I think a good resume will help if you do not know anyone to help you get in. I am a nurse not a tech but I managed to land a job in the ED at a hospital with a reputation that you needed to know someone to get in. The recruiter said my resume was really good and left her wanting to meet me.

If you are already an EMT, you could also do a little quick networking when you bring in patients to the ED. Ask the charge nurse if you could shadow for a couple hours, show an interest, let them know you think the hospital does a great job and you would love to work there.

Sivraj · Mar 23, 2014

Hello, I just read your post and am really shocked that somebody with your background would have a difficult time getting a job as a tech in an ER. I'm not sure where you're located but I work in a Level 2 60 bed ED in a large Midwest city and we'd hire you on the spot. Tech jobs in the ED, in my experience, are a dream job because they don't usually require many of the floor tech duties such as bathing, feeding and toile ting (though these do come up, esp the toileting). Have you ever considered skipping the tech path and just going to nursing school and working as an RN in the ED? It sounds like you know more than most new grads. There's no need to spend $$ of your own on phlebotomy courses. You'll learn that on the job and it's not rocket science. We have some good techs in our ED but many of them are either overwhelmed with the basics (vitals signs) or slack off any chance they get, which is a shame bc the ED requires everyone to work as a well-oiled machine. We have several RNs that were EMTs in their former careers and they're at a huge advantage bc so few ED nurses know what goes on in the rigs. My advice is to develop a rapport with the staff in the EDs you service, ask about opportunities, get a few names and contact the Department Manager directly rather than go thru HR. And consider a career as an ED Nurse if you really like it. Don't settle for a tech position for life. It's great experience but you can do better. Good luck!

ambz13 · Mar 23, 2014

I am in the same boat as you!!!!!!!! It's completely frustrating. I am an EMT-B and volunteered for 2 years and have experience as CNA working in urgent care and assisted living and I can't land an ED Tech job either.

It seems like a networking issue, but I also would love to hear from people who hold the job how they landed it.

ready2g0 · Mar 24, 2014

I am actually slowly working my way through getting the pre-reqs done for nursing. I Would love to be an RN in the ED. I am located in a large midwest city too. I agree that there are a lot of ED nurses that have no idea what goes on beyond the ambulance bay doors, but a lot of them are very knowledgable and have ridden along with EMS. I am really good at taking vital signs, I could do it in my sleep. I do know how to help patients with toileting from my past job.

I would also love to hear from any ER tech's about how they got their jobs.

I think the biggest problem for me in terms of networking or meeting the people that are hiring is that my service transports patients to about 30 different hospitals, so its not like I see the same nurses everyday and know them by name.

Does anyone think it would be weird for me to literally walk up to the charge nurse/manager, introduce myself, and leave a copy of my resume?

Do people often shadow in ED's that are not clinical sites for medic/EMT schools? I have done this before and its been hit or miss.

ambz13 · Mar 26, 2014

ready2go-

I just accepted an ED Tech job offer yesterday. It's for a smaller, older hospital in an area that has some crime (So I think that's why I got it, not a lot of people are willing to deal with that). It seems like it's easier to start smaller and work your way up. Also, maybe getting a tech job in a different dept in the hospital and then networking and putting yourself out there that you're interested in ED will help. I also had a very good relationship with the HR recruiter so that may have helped.

Good luck, I'm sure you will get where you want to be! I tried for 3 years and am just now getting a spot so don't give up

Cutehuntingirl · Mar 26, 2014

I know the frustration you are going through!! I am/was an EMT. Everytime I applied to ER Tech jobs they seemed to get swooped by the Paramedics. Not sure why, I think it had something to do with the fact that they can push meds(although they're not allowed to in the hospital).

I am in nursing school, my EMT is expired but I still apply for those jobs. I was working as an EMT but the nursing school I got into I had to quit and move. So I'm applying to anything in the ED or the hospital period. I have less than a year left in nursing school and I am afraid if I don't get a job now I won't be able to after I graduate.

Good luck to you! I hear that putting on your application, cover letter, or resume somewhere that you are continuing to forward your education speaks volumes.

guest769224 · Mar 27, 2014

I am an ER and ICU tech.

The ER is so amazing I love being there so I understand your passion. You asked if going directly to the nurse manager would be a good idea or not. I vote ABSOLUTELY.

I was granted an interview with the ER manager because a charge nurse I work with in the ICU recommended me. This worked in my favor by opening the door to an interview.

I think introducing yourself and inquiring about positions in the department will increase your chances. You could even ask if they had any PRN positions for you to jump in and get your foot in the door (if full time wasn't available).

If you do get an interview, PM me and I will tell you all the interview questions I had- so you can be better prepared.

Keep trying.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 30, 2014

I was hired as an ED tech when I was a paramedic. I knew no one, applied online, was hired on the spot. I had the whole alphabet soup (ACLS, BLS, PALS, PEPP, ITLS, AMLS, etc.). I have always interviewed well, luckily. Keep trying! If you have to volunteer to get your foot in the door, then give that a shot. Are you still an active EMT-B? Have you talked to management in hospitals where you transport patients?

ready2g0 · Apr 5, 2014

Thank you all for you input on this! Does anyone know who I should talk to at the hospitals I apply to? I would ask the ER charge nurse when I am working but most of the time they seem really busy and I don't want to bother them when they have a million things to get done.

Does anyone have any other ideas for skills or ways to get experience that would help? Or how to meet people that could help me get one of these jobs?

I am an active EMT and I work 40 to 48 hours a week on a BLS unit. Where I work there aren't many certifications you can get other than ACLS and PALS which I can't get as a basic. If I knew of a PEPP or ITLS course I would sign up the second I heard about it.

Gabby-RN · Apr 5, 2014

You can take acls as an emt-b, at least in my state. I know a few nursing students that have taken it. I do not think that would help you get a tech job though. I would ask the charge nurse. A simple, hey what you guys do here is great, I would like to work here. Do you know if you are hiring techs or who I would talk to if you are?

The techs where I work need cpr and thats its.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 6, 2014

I am an active EMT and I work 40 to 48 hours a week on a BLS unit. Where I work there aren't many certifications you can get other than ACLS and PALS which I can't get as a basic. If I knew of a PEPP or ITLS course I would sign up the second I heard about it.

You absolutely can get ACLS and PALS. Licensure or certification isn't required for either, but you must also perform ACLS and PALS stuff within your scope (which will be limited). All that is required to hold those certifications is being able to complete the course. I specifically asked this of a friend who is regional AHA faculty when the Army medics in my ED wanted to do ACLS, and they are trained to the EMT-B level. A friend of mine who was an ER tech went through ACLS, and she's not even an EMT.