Nurses please give an new ER-Tech some advice

noelly10 · Feb 27, 2016

Don't get lazy. Our er techs are lazy and send up patients that are all in a mess just for us to clean up on top of getting them settled. Then they're all disgruntled because they had been sitting in poo for hours in the ED

ParalyticAgent · Feb 27, 2016

Know what's going on in your section/the department.

A patient wants to go the bathroom? Have them pee in a cup. It's so much easier to have it and not need in than need it and not have it.

Know the department protocols and be proactive. Get EKGs done. Start IVs and get blood (if you're allowed).

BE PRESENT. Please don't hide. It makes my shift so much smoother when I have am not constantly searching for the tech or doing total patient care on my whole team.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 28, 2016

I'm currently applying to various nursing schools around southern California and been working in a cardiac rehab facility. My question today is what advice would you give a new ER-Tech that has never been exposed to the ED? What skills should I master? I have pretty good experience with EKG's and am a very teachable respectful person.
What skills did/does your favorite ER-Tech possess?

IVs and blood draws is a big one.

Also, when a patient is brought back to the room and you see I'm busy, please hook them up to the monitor and get a complete set a vitals signs. If you want to be really good then document them too. If they don't need to be on the monitor, I will take them off. Most of my patients are on the monitor. It depends on what types of patients your ER frequently sees.

Be proactive about doing belongings sheets. If you see that the patient is being admitted please get an inventory of their stuff so I don't have to rush to do it when the patient gets a bed.

Do not feed patients without the nurse's or physician's explicit permission.

Finally, do not give time frames for when the nurse or doctor will be in to see the patient. "As soon as possible" is better than "shortly" or "in a few minutes."

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 28, 2016

My favorite ER tech (Army medic) anticipates what our patients need and gets it done before anyone even brings it up! She is tireless and cheerful. She doesn't complain. She appreciates it when we work together â€” some nurses like to sit and have our medics do everything, this is not cool. I always remember that the patient is ultimately my responsibility, and when I have someone to help me, that's a good day.

When I was an ER tech/paramedic, I was proactive and I did stuff that I knew would be needed (monitor, vitals, ECGs, etc.) before I was asked. I really didn't understand how helpful this was until I became an ER nurse. Every time that I go to do something for a patient and it's done already, that is like a gift. Be that tech. :)

MedicFireRN · Feb 28, 2016

When I was an ER tech/paramedic, I was proactive and I did stuff that I knew would be needed (monitor, vitals, ECGs, etc.) before I was asked. I really didn't understand how helpful this was until I became an ER nurse. Every time that I go to do something for a patient and it's done already, that is like a gift. Be that tech. :)

This is what I did when I was a tech and the nurses were always so thankful. I also kept an eye on vitals- how long it had been since their last set and what their ESI level was. I was proactive in getting those when they were due, and that in and of itself is a tremendous help. If you can learn to anticipate what the patient is going to need then you're like a Godsend to the nurses you're working with. As you learn to do this, the biggest thing is to be a team player, proactive as much as you can be, and not a complainer. As Pixie said, tireless and cheerful are super valued aspects of a team player.

I remember one night when from 3a-7a I was the only tech in the department - we had 30 open beds in the level 2 trauma center where I was working and it was a busy night. I had a hard time staying afloat as the only tech, but I did as much as I could and even managed to stay on top of vitals for the higher ESI level patients that weren't in the trauma rooms in between setting up suture trays and helping patients to the bathroom, etc. Even just letting the nurses know where I was going to be was super helpful. It was one of the hardest most tiring shifts I ever worked but also was the most rewarding shift I ever worked as a tech.

If nothing else be sure that the nurses you're with know where you are going to be and when they can expect to see you again. I saw many techs get a bad rep because they didn't do this. To the busy nurse who needed help they were MIA, even though they may have been doing something for another nurse. I always just made a general statement like "hey I'm going to line and lab the new admit in 21 for Sarah, then I'm setting up a suture tray in 24 if you need me". I wasn't one of the techs who wasn't findable. It is a subtle but important difference to be in a position where the nurses can say "oh I think she's setting up a lac tray" instead of saying "I don't know" when the charge nurse is asking where the tech is.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2016

* There ain't no such thing as "too many vital signs."

* As others have said before - please don't be lazy. You don't even have to go above and beyond - at the very least, do your job! Believe me, some nurses DO notice (I always make it a point to thank my techs and other RNs in person for helping me out when I was getting my butt kicked on a busy shift. Then, I make it a point to email my Manager and mention their names. Every little bit helps and it is always nice to be recognised for your hard work.)

You won't notice this today, but you'll definitely notice this when you become a nurse yourself. Strive to build a good work ethic - you will not only be an asset to your team, but you'll develop the right attitude to other things at work and also your personal life.

* Please have the patients change into a gown - if you need help, grab me and we'll hit 'em together. Added bonus, put 'em on the monitor (ESI 4 and 5 maynot require this) and grab a repeat set of vitals.

* Be sure of what your roles and responsibilities are. I've seen lazy nurses delegate tasks techs had no business doing. Don't let yourself get in trouble. Don't practice out of your scope either!

* I get it. You have 3 other tasks to do. But the task I'm delegating you may be a higher priority. Be open to discussion - e.g. "I have two patients to take up right after I do this EKG." I may request you to assign those tasks to another tech because I have a stroke alert on my hands and I need help transporting pt. to CT. Or I may decide that your plate is full and decide to do the task myself in the interest of patient care. Teamwork works both ways - but communication is absolutely key!

* Keep your eyes and ears open. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't hesitate to ask for help.

Congratulations. Welcome to The Zoo! :-)

cheers,