Peds ER Tech job

[live4rachael]

Well, I just got a great phone call. I have an interview tomorrow for a student tech position in a pediatric ER! I've got several months of volunteer experience in the NICU and know I want to work with peds when I graduate (I'd love NICU or PICU).

I'm pretty excited about this interview though I'm not sure what to expect. I know every state has different rules/regulations as far as what the techs can do and I'll be asking those questions tomorrow at the interview. Any ideas? Any tips?

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

Congratulations first of all! Secondly I would make sure to ask what is required of the position and tell the person who is interviewing you immediately if they list something that you have never done before and find out if it is possible to train you in that skill. I say this because if an employer finds out that you can't do something that you said you could do you might be facing a lot of trouble so its best to be honest right up front. Good luck and lets us know how it goes.

!Chris

[crazyframes]

May I ask about the interview? Did it go well? Were you offered the position?

I need to blanket my area hospitals with my resume for ED tech positions and I'd love to hear that you got a position!

[live4rachael]

The interview went well but I don't think I got the position. Oh well, more to come!

[crazyframes]

Sorry to hear you don't think you got the position. I hope that means the universe is going to offer you something better soon!

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

I will say that getting a position in the ER of any hospital is really tough if you don't have a lot of experience in that department or something really closely related. The best thing I can suggest is to try to volunteer in that department so you can meet some people and network while gaining a little experience so that when the next position comes up you will have a better chance of getting it. Good luck!

!Chris

[LiveZen]

Another option may be to try for a tech position elsewhere in the hospital you want and try to pick up shifts in the ER. I work pool for peds hem-onc. That means i pick my hours/shifts as long as I do a minimum of hours, not sure what it is, but it's really low and it's never a problem for me.

Two drawbacks to pool: no benefits (as in insurance, pto, tution reimbursement) and pool workers are the first to get sent home if not needed. I've been a tech since August and I think I went home early one time, but I was happy cause it was my choice on that day).

When Hem-Onc is slow/well-staffed I pick up random shifts around the hospital. Some hospitals may not allow this, but my hospital loves it! I started off with the Surgical unit (post op kids, as in the "surg" in med surg . Then I wanted to try something new and started picking up in ED. I love it! Since Christmas I've mostly worked there (way more hours than my "home unit" cause they really need techs.) There are a couple of things I can't do that theirs can (draw blood, splint bones, 12 lead EKGs) because they are specially trained but they still love having me there.

I had my RN interview with this ER about a month ago and landed my first post-nursing school job. I graduate in june and will start later this summer. (after boards).

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or we can respond back and forth on the board so others can learn, too! :))

[HisTreasure, BSN, RN]

Congrats LiveZen on graduation and new job! Good luck on the boards!

To OP, no worries. You'll get a great tech job elsewhere, trust me. Male caregivers are golden!