Entry level positions as ED/ER Tech?

U.S.A. Washington

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Unsure if this is the right area. I will be moving to Washington State in a few months and I got my EMT-B cert / State here in Virginia. I'm originally from Tacoma WA so I know western Washington pretty well.

Anyways I'm unsure where to look, I plan on going to school to start my pre req's for Nursing. I was told as a EMT-B you can get a job as a ED/ER tech at hospitals. I have no field experience other than the clinicals I did.

Are there any other certifications I need to get as well? Do hospitals take on no experience ER/ED techs?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology.

I would get your CNA. I work in the ED and the techs either have their CNA, or are paramedics.

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Oh okay, Cool. Ill look into it. I was told CNA is just a semester worth?

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Specializes in ICU, Pre-Op, OR, PACU.

Since you already have prior medical experience and if you're not working I would highly suggest looking into one of the faster paced programs so that you can get your license ASAP. The one I attended was 3-4 weeks long (Tues-Fri 8am-2:30pm, but they offer a weekend only option as well) for the most part with some different times for clinicals. There are a lot of these types of programs available and the cost varies a lot as well, so just look at reviews online and try to find a decent one near you. Just check here to make sure the program you choose is legit before you make a decision!

You can absolutely spend an entire quarter/semester at a college taking a CNA class and will get a much more detailed education, but it is also more costly and takes much longer to complete.

Also be aware that a NAC is required for most nursing programs in this area anyway, so best to get it out of the way now than the wait until the last minute and miss an application date (this happened to several of my classmates!)

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Since you already have prior medical experience and if you're not working I would highly suggest looking into one of the faster paced programs so that you can get your license ASAP. The one I attended was 3-4 weeks long (Tues-Fri 8am-2:30pm, but they offer a weekend only option as well) for the most part with some different times for clinicals. There are a lot of these types of programs available and the cost varies a lot as well, so just look at reviews online and try to find a decent one near you. Just check here to make sure the program you choose is legit before you make a decision!

You can absolutely spend an entire quarter/semester at a college taking a CNA class and will get a much more detailed education, but it is also more costly and takes much longer to complete.

Also be aware that a NAC is required for most nursing programs in this area anyway, so best to get it out of the way now than the wait until the last minute and miss an application date (this happened to several of my classmates!)

okay thanks, So a NAC falls under CNA right? Or is that a separate license i have tog et?

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Specializes in ICU, Pre-Op, OR, PACU.

NAC is just what WA state calls their CNA's :) I don't know the specifics on why the name/acronym is different, but it is the same thing! NAC=Nursing Assistant - Certified. So as long as you use a school listed in my post above you'll be on the right track! Good luck!

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Thanks. Will definitely be looking into getting my CNA first thing when I move to WA. Probably going to try to get a part time gig with a ambulance service while working on CNA than pre req for Nursing.

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