Getting a Job as an ER Tech

Nursing Students Technicians

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Hi All,

I just want to know what I need to do to get a job as an ER Tech in DFW. I have applied to so many positions and have had one telephone interview but no job. I am very familiar with the Emergency Department. I have volunteered in an Adult Level 1 Trauma center for over 2 years, and I volunteered in a Pediatric Level 1 Trauma center for over a year. I currently work in the Emergency Department as a Clinical Researcher, the only job I could get in an ER, but I would like direct patient contact. I am a certified EMT-B, and looking to pursue a career in nursing. I volunteer at a free clinic in Dallas where I have direct patient contact and utilize many critical thinking skills.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to get the job? Any ideas would be wonderful.

Thank you all in advance...

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I would call local hospitals and ask the HR department what is needed to apply for the position. The hospital I work at only hires Paramedics in the ED. You do seem to have great experience tho!

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Thank you for those tips. I have contacted numerous recruiters from local hospital HR departments and have not received any calls back. Before I apply to a position, I look at the requirements for the positions to see if I am qualified for it. I assure you that I meet those qualifications before I submit an application. I just wish this process was not so frustrating.

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I am feeling even more frustrated. I have received several telephone interviews with HR/Recruiter telling me he/she will forward my application and resume to the ED Manager at "said facility". I really don't know where I'm going wrong... Am I over-qualified? Under-qualified? I am applying only for those positions to which I meet all qualifications and more. My resume has been critiqued and critiqued numerous times by career counselors and professionals. I have tried contacting different HR departments and recruiters at area hospital systems to give me an insight on how I could improve my chances, but have not received any responses to my inquiries. Any helpful advice or insight would be greatly appreciated right now.

*Sorry, had to rant and vent a little...

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Maybe try getting the name of the manager in that department. Seek his/her info on Linkedin or facebook or anywhere online and contact him/her.

Or contact hospitak and set up an informational interview with nurses

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A lot of people want to be ER techs, therein lies the problem. There is a lot less wear and tear on your back and body than working as a floor tech. EMT Basic is a good starting point but is totally inadequate by itself for the job, probably not much more useful than CNA school as it doesn't include any phlebotomy, ECG, or experience in things like foleys and straight caths and isn't going to teach you things like how to manage your time with multiple patients(whch CNA experience does), and the way things are done in the field is a lot different than how its done in the ER.

I would seek out any hospital patient care job to gain some of this experience, and maybe phlebotomy experience. I think the best experience for being an ER tech would be a medical assistant with an EMT license who has some hospital experience.

A paramedic license would help a LOT because it covers relevant skills like starting IVs, learning ACLS, pathophysiology, pharmacology and cardiology and you spend a lof of time in the ER doing everything an ER tech does and then some durin Medic school, but that's such a long hard and expensive road your better off going to Nursing school and becoming an ER Nurse.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
Thank you for those tips. I have contacted numerous recruiters from local hospital HR departments and have not received any calls back. Before I apply to a position, I look at the requirements for the positions to see if I am qualified for it. I assure you that I meet those qualifications before I submit an application. I just wish this process was not so frustrating.

Often the qualifications listed are the minimums and they are looking for more.

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Wanted to update everyone...

All of my hard work and persistence paid off because I got the phone call that landed me an in-person interview with a local hospital's emergency department.

*Funtimes: thanks for those tips. When I had the telephone interview I mentioned that I was great at multitasking and loved working in a fast-paced environment. I have already taken Pharmacology and Pathophysiology, currently in ACLS, and know how to do EKGs.

I hope I that I do very well at this interview and land this job. I believe that this position will help me build on my nursing education and master those skills because I want to be an ER nurse.

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Does anyone have any interview tips for an ER PCT position? I've done job interviews before and have seemed to do well in the past, but being prepared doesn't hurt. I have a panel interview with the ED nursing director and Manger this Wednesday. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

After my interview I'm going to be able to ask a few ED staff members some questions. What would be good questions to ask them?

Thank you all in advance.

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Specializes in OB.

In my hospital ED tech I have CNA license and experience and pretty much so CNA duties. ED tech II are paramedics since they have a wider practice, start IV's , insert foley's, etc. I guess it all depends on the institution.

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Congratulations. I would research hospital's mission & value. Share what you've researched about the hospital and/or ED department in local news, awards,honor,etc)

Also, I do know nurse traits communication skills, leadership, team player, critical thinker, curiosity-driven to name a few.

Just look up interview questions online. I just did a panel interview for a nursing school admission and looked up common nurse interview questions. (Smiles)

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Tasha92337, thank you for those tips. I hope you get into nursing school. I got my phone call and email on Saturday regarding my acceptance.

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