Hyperbaric chamber tech

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi.

I'm currently an LPN in a neurology office. Used to be in family practice for two years.

I applied for a transfer for a hyperbaric technician. I had my first phone interview today. He couldn't really answer any questions because the application hasn't gone to the unit yet.

Has anyone here worked as a hyperbaric technician? If so, did you enjoy it? It sounds great and would be a promotion. I've read about the job duties online.

I think I would love everything about it but am wondering if there's a lot of sitting around and monitoring of the patient, and if so, for how long? That part might get a little boring if I'm sitting there for a couple of hours or are there other things to do while monitoring?

Thanks for any comments or advice.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Gosh - this takes me back. A couple of decades or so ago, I helped set up hyperbaric services in a couple of trauma facilities (we were generously funded by offshore oil companies because they desperately needed nearby facilities to treat their divers. I trained in CA for 3 weeks & subsequently set up 2 sites (2 single chambers in each). Caring for these patients is a WHOLE lot more than just sitting around, particularly if you're going to be treating acutely ill patients. If it's limited to 'vanity dives'... a la Michael Jackson ... maybe not so much.

Patient assessment is very exacting because diving is associated with multi-system effects. For instance, if the patient is on any IV therapy, it may take some very complex interventions to keep them running. Accidents can be horrific - exposure to the slightest spark will turn that chamber into a cremation vault. Be sure to ask a LOT of questions. You don't want to be caught up in a position you're not qualified for.

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Gosh - this takes me back. A couple of decades or so ago, I helped set up hyperbaric services in a couple of trauma facilities (we were generously funded by offshore oil companies because they desperately needed nearby facilities to treat their divers. I trained in CA for 3 weeks & subsequently set up 2 sites (2 single chambers in each). Caring for these patients is a WHOLE lot more than just sitting around, particularly if you're going to be treating acutely ill patients. If it's limited to 'vanity dives'... a la Michael Jackson ... maybe not so much.

Patient assessment is very exacting because diving is associated with multi-system effects. For instance, if the patient is on any IV therapy, it may take some very complex interventions to keep them running. Accidents can be horrific - exposure to the slightest spark will turn that chamber into a cremation vault. Be sure to ask a LOT of questions. You don't want to be caught up in a position you're not qualified for.

HouTx:

Thanks for replying! They will train me, so I'm not worried about not being qualified.

I like to stay busy, and I'm looking for something I think I would love doing. I'm glad to hear this isn't much sitting around. I'm up for it then.

This is for a wound care clinic, not divers. I think I would love working in wound care.

Thanks again. I hope they call me for a second interview.

Diane

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Did you get the job?

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