Can someone describe a day in the life of an ER/ED PCT?

CantDecideUsername · Jul 28, 2014

Bump? Anyone?

LadyK90, RN · Jul 28, 2014

Maybe you should post this in the PCT section for a better response.

CantDecideUsername · Jul 28, 2014

Oh how do I change the location of the post? I put it here because CNA's are PCT's (in my state at least)

LadyK90, RN · Jul 28, 2014

I'm not sure if you'll be able to change the location since its already poste. Try posting the same question again by going to the pct section in the nursing student forum. Its below the cna section. :)

Guests · Jul 28, 2014

Room patients from triage, assist them into a gown, put them on the monitor, do an EKG, hold an arm so nurse can start a line, help roll pt off backboard, clean wounds, help get pt into restraints, do chest compressions, assist nurse with pericare, stock carts, transport patients.

That covers nearly all of it

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jul 28, 2014

Hi! I've been an ER Tech for 1 1/2 years.

When I get to work, the first thing I do is clock in. Then, I will get some coffee and look for my assignment.

I greet the nurses I'm working with, then I sit down and scan the tracking board for new orders. I am able to draw blood, insert foley catheters and straight cath for urine samples, I splint broken bones and sprains and teach people to use crutches. I wipe butts and clean sheets when needed, although we never give baths in the ER. If I'm assigned to the psych ER, I get a lot of practice with therapeutic communication. I also help take down and restrain violent patients. On occasion the patient transporters become backed up, and I will transport a patient to the floor. When there is no patient care to be done, I use the time to stock. Sometime I finish all at once,and sometimes it get busy again and have to go back to stocking 3 or 4 times. I get the trauma/critical rooms ready for patients who need them. I do compressions, but we try to get the compression device on the patient as soon as possible. I've gotten to touch and squeeze hearts and lungs and intestines and brain on some very unfortunate patients. I cry when babies die. I've been active in three births (how exciting..).

There is no schedule. There is no way of knowing exactly what I'm going to do next. Every day is vastly different. It is entirely up to you to be self directed and motivated. I have great coworkers who know what team work is and I don't regret working here in the least. It's been a great experience.

Good luck!

armywife808 · Jul 31, 2014

Wow, you do all that and stock? :up: You go girl!