i'm currently attending college (freshman) studying economics, and pre-medicine. i eventually plan on becoming an emergency physician, and working in the realm of international medicine. i've recently gotten certified as an emt-basic in hopes of gaining some experience, during which i stumbled upon an ed tech position at an emergency department/trauma center. this is great news, and they were (reluctantly, due to the learning curve) willing to give me a part-time position. i truly want this job for the learning experience, and the pay is quite good as well.
anyway, during my interview (which was hell--conference room surrounded by 8 interviewers), i was told that i will be trained in phlebotomy, ekg, hazmat, and a few others, and be required to insert foleys, cast, splint, and participate in trauma. this sounds like the hands-on opportunity of a lifetime, but it is quite frightening! my emt "skills" have left me feeling woefully inadequate, and i doubt any of it will transfer into the ed. to be honest, i've never even seen a foley catheter, and i haven't the first clue about an ekg.
so, i was hoping for some honest responses, tips, and any other type of comment. i have searched--and read--many threads about ed techs on this website, and it has been helpful, but i'd like to hear a little more about this learning curve, and how difficult to learn the material is going to be.
am i really going to struggle with learning these skills, having no prior medical experience?
Have you started yet?? Soon you will see that being a RN is easy and that a well trained monkey could do it, well maybe after the monkey goes through orientation. LOL Good Luck
I recently started as an ER tech and had only some CNA experience to go on. I can say I really enjoy it. The biggest thing is to pay attention to what the veterans teach you, learn and remember where important things are in the supply cart, i.e. Central lines, stuff that people will be screaming at you to get ASAP.
you will feel incompetent for quite a while, but keep reminding yourself that this type of job requires experience to become truly good, and you only get that over time.
Let the nurses know you are there to help when if they need anything, and once they become comfortable with you, and know you'll follow thier directions, they'll pull you in for the fun stuff, i.e. NG tubes, and explain the why's and how's of different procedures. They love showing thier skills to students. Same with Residents. Attendings aren't so open to new techs, but once they see you around after a while, they'll warm up to you.
Keep your sunny disposition despite the few (or many) crabby/bitchy/moody people you might work with. They might be burned out, but don't let that bring you down. Look at every new day as an opportunity to learn something new, and remember with that comes the duties that aren't so glamourous, like bedpans, moving 300 lb pts to bed, and trying to get a 5 month old to sit still while the doc sutures a cut.
Oh, a little tip, when giving a Psych pt. a meal tray, open all packages/drinks, cut their meat and veggies, and leave only the spoon to eat with, do all this BEFORE you go in thier room (which is probably locked, I hope). That way you can get in and out without being distracted, and gives them less of a chance to hurt you or cut themselves. I figured this out on my own, and even one of the veteran nurses said it never occured to her to do that. That made me smile.
Anyway, best of luck, go with the flow, and you'll do just fine.
I think you'll really enjoy it! I was an ED tech before becoming an ED nurse.
Everything you learned in EMT-B class will come in useful in the ED. The extra skills you are required to do are not that bad. They will provide the appropriate training.
At first, you will feel awkward doing the skills simply because you are unfamiliar with the equipment, but the more you handle it, the easier it will get.
As for phlebotomy - you can have all the years experience in the world, but you will still have days that you can't hit the broad side of a barn.
EKG's are not hard at all. You do not interpret anything, and will eventually start to recognize "good" from "bad".
Foley's aren't that bad. It can be a little frustrating on females sometimes because each female's anatomy is a little different. Just remember to aim "high" and that usually helps.
I don't think anyone EMT, RN, or MD should EVER feel comfortable. Because being "comfortable" sometimes will cause people to become a little lazy and miss things.
The skills WILL come. It just takes time. Never be afraid to ask questions, and take advantage of every learning opportunity you can.
When all the other med students are fumbling around, you'll be awesome!
Remember to clean up after yourself (pick up trash [lots of packaging on medical stuff]), be very careful w/sharps, and protect yourself, i.e., gloves! You can keep a pair in your pocket for "emergencies".
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Have you started yet?? Soon you will see that being a RN is easy and that a well trained monkey could do it, well maybe after the monkey goes through orientation. LOL Good Luck