Tech's in the ER

ERNurse752, RN · Sep 11, 2002

I'm going to guess it stands for Patient Care Tech, but I could be wrong. :)

Techs in my ER do about the same as listed above, depending on their experience, ie, none, EMT, EMT-P, SN, etc...out techs don't do secretarial duties though. Some of them are cross-trained to be both techs and secretaries, but they're one or the other specifically on any given night.

If that makes sense...I'm delirious after the a** pounding of last night!

Lilith · Sep 11, 2002

Hi,

This is my first time posting, hope it comes out right.

About techs...Its true that RN's can become too dependent on them and forget that they are responsible for knowing the skills that techs perform. I was a tech before I became an RN in my ER (a medium sized 2 doc, 6-7 nurse, 1 tech facility), and I am still called upon to perform tasks for other nurses that they don't know how to do if there is no tech around. Ofcourse, my colleagues help me while I am helping them, but on a busy night it can become annoying. Our techs are great, hard working and skilled people, but RN's need to maintain knowlege of the skills the techs perform.

essarge · Sep 16, 2002

Hi all!

I thought that I'd give a view from a tech's point of view. I am an ER tech in a level 1 ER. I do basic CNA skills (too long to write) and draw blood, EKGs, and am on the trauma team (to include doing CPR, assisting the doc/nurses when needed) and a hundred of other things.

While on the subject I would also like to mention that sometimes the nurses that I work with tend to look down on the tech's. An instance that comes to mind is that I was TOLD to push a patient down to ct scan by a nurse that was online on the computer playing a game. I pretty much told her no, got written up, and when the nurse manager found out that this nurse was online and not doing anything patient wise, she got written up and mine was ripped up.

I guess what I'm saying is please, please, please, appreciate what we do for you and realize that our priorities are the EKGs and blood draws....not pushing patients unless we have the time.

I am also a nursing student/nurse extern at this hospital and I promise to never take advantage of or treat a tech in a bad way!!

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2002

Howdy Yall

from deep in the heat of texas

Well, essarge, where is this place at anyway. The ER Im in has had internet access for years and No one has ever found time to browse the net or play games ever.

I like my techs. There isnt one I look down on. Well there is one I look down at , and that is because she displays remarkable cleavage... just joking.....................maybe

doo wah ditty

kaycee · Sep 17, 2002

Originally posted by teeituptom
Howdy Yall
from deep in the heat of texas

I like my techs. There isnt one I look down on. Well there is one I look down at , and that is because she displays remarkable cleavage... just joking.....................maybe

doo wah ditty

:rotfl: :imbar

p.s. we don't have time to be foolin around on line either!!

AlaskanRN · Sep 18, 2002

essarge,

thanks for your input...not only do i not look down on techs...i would never ask one of the techs to do something i'm not perfectly willing to do myself...but then again...that is behavior i try to carry over into the rest of my life also...

and if i ever "tell" anyone to do something instead of asking them if they "please could" i hope there is someone standing nearby to slap me silly for being so rude... :nono:

Flo1216 · Oct 16, 2002

Techs cast and splint, put in foleys and start IV's and do patient education? Ours do EKGS and blood draws, but nothing like what you are talking about. I don't feel comfortable about that, no offense. I guess it depends on the hospital.

Flo1216 · Oct 16, 2002

P.S Everyone seems so proud of themselves because they don't "look down" on techs. We shouldn't "look down" on people anyway.Sadly though, techs are often looked down upon, by doctors, nurses, families, etc. I know, because I am one. What is even sadder is that I am treated with a lot more respect once these people find out I am a nursing student.

flashpoint · Dec 3, 2002

We use LPNs instead of techs. Right now, we only have two LPNs and we are there from 1600-2400 except on weekends, when we come in at 1200. We do all of the basic tech stuff, plus we can give meds, do dishcharge instructions, parts of admission assessments, etc. Also I am a paramedic and the other LPN is an EMT-I, so we can do all of the skills up our EMS training allows us to do. It's a great way for our hospital to get an extra body in the ER without having to pay another RN...and it allows us to have people there who fully understand the screwy things that our EMS crew does...LOL.

Flo1216 · Dec 23, 2002

Brandy...they do all that and make 8 bucks an hour? That's crazy. our aids start at $10 and don't do half that. Also, what do you mean when you say they do casting? I don't know...they must really love their jobs because that is al lot of responsibilty for such a small amount of money.

Lil_Skipper04 · Sep 9, 2005

I've got an interview for an ER tech position on Monday. Currently, I work as a CMA at an assisted living nursing home. I want to be an ER nurse when I graduate, so this position would be incredible.

I'm nervous about the interview! Could anyone give me some advice??

Much appreciated! :nurse:

Katnip, RN · Sep 9, 2005

Just be yourself. Tell them why you'd like to work in emergency, and admit you're nuts for wanting to do it. j/k

Stick to the first part. Let them know that you want to be a nurse, and if they have a shortage of nurses, tell them you'd LOVE to get the experience so you can be a better nurse, probably for them.