How to be an ED tech?

amarilla, RN · Apr 24, 2015

I think the best thing to do may be to look up your local hospitals to take a look at the job descriptions posted for ED techs. It will tell you exactly what they want in terms of experience, certifications and the like. The few EDs I've worked for have varied in terms of what they want; of the two per diem places I work now, one hires EMTs and the other seems to prefer nursing assistants who have phleb experience.

As for what recruiters are looking for, I can't say but I do know what my ED managers and peers look for: willingness to help and work as a team. Many things in the ED aren't an emergency and sometimes new employees sour on setting up that 13th abdominal painer of the day, dipping urines, putting grippy socks on our fall risks etc. It won't be adrenaline all the time and sometimes is mundane and even annoying. If you can keep the patient's best interest in mind - getting them treated and dispo'd - you won't have that problem but there are those days that even your last nerve will be stepped on. Just being honest.

Duties vary by facility policy, I imagine. In both my jobs, ED techs usually help us set up the patient (move to stretcher, get vital signs, change and set up monitor, collect urine or straight draw blood) and respond to needs as they occur, (EKGs, dip urine, urine pregs, throat swabs, transport, pick up blood/meds, compressions in codes, move equipment to rooms where it's needed, help clean up pts, etc.)

The ED is a great place to work and I wish you luck on your search. Cast your net far and wide and don't be picky - experience is experience and you can always move on.

IwantheER · Apr 24, 2015

Thank you for your response, I found it very helpful!