Question about "Tech" positions etc..

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 11, 2010

Tech positions can be obtained from earning a CNA certificate, and some community colleges or other programs offer Patient Care Techinician/Associate classes where phlebotomy and EKG are also taught. Most tech positions are created with those additional skills in mind.

If you are already in a nursing program, it may be challenging to get a position because unless you have already earned the CNA certification, it will take time take the course, then get hired and go through an orientation (which is usually done on dayshift). Not impossible, but challenging. I will say, however, that the exposure would be great.

SnowStar4 · Jul 11, 2010

I think you mean a nurse tech, which is a position specifically for nursing students. Typically, you have to complete one acute care clinical before being eligible. Some hospitals require two. No CNA or other certification is required from what I have ever seen.

It's great experince, helps you get your foot in the door, and pay is pretty descent.

I do admissions, ongoing assessments, vital signs, IVs, blood draws, personal care, equipment management, urinary catheters, ng tubes, bandage changes, and whatever comes my way. Great experience and confidence builder.

kcochrane · Jul 11, 2010

We have patient care techs in our hospital. Some require your CNA first and they will train you on the other tasks (BGs, EKGs, blood draws, etc.). Many of our techs are in nursing school.

sweetER · Jul 11, 2010

Most of my classmates work as patient care techs (or "nursing care associates" as one hospital is renaming the position) for the nearby hospitals, and I also recently took a position as a PCT. If you've already completed your first semester of clinicals, none of the hospitals in my area require that you have your CNA. I'm not sure how it is at the other hospitals, but at the one I took a position at, techs bathe patients, change sheets, remove Foleys, BGs, keep rooms neat, and if you work in the ER you get to do blood draws. Most of the other floors' techs no longer do blood draws as they are now giving that responsibility solely to the phlebotomists.

KimGau · Jul 11, 2010

Thanks for all of the great information! I am just beginning nursing school so It will be a while before I qualify for such a hands on position, right now Im volunteering. I cant wait until I can apply to be a tech, getting paid while learning and growing sounds amazing.

Lovelee82 · Jul 11, 2010

For my tech position I got lucky and my unit lets me do pretty much everything. Dressing changes, give meds (with nurse supervision), blood draws, assessments, foleys, etc. Some of my friends on other units are not so lucky but I got the job when I was a couple of months before boards so I let me do more. Its great experience, I would be lost if I were to get hired to straight out of school. Its like my senior capstone hasnt ended. Plus its great to get a paycheck regardless of the size.

They have these new grad transitional programs nowadays where you do the same thing but with a tech position you are more likely to get hired on that unit when you graduate.

brownbook · Jul 11, 2010

My first thought when I hear "what is a tech" is a non-nursing health care support job. EKG tech, X-ray tech, cardio-pulmonary tech, dialysis tech, OR tech, GI tech, etc. What schooling and licensing is required for these "tech" jobs varies from state to state and hospital to hospital.

Lovelee82 · Jul 13, 2010

Every place is different. I just randomly saw my job posted. It didnt say tech but it stated Aide. I read the description and it stated they wanted nursing students with at least 1 yr of nursing school completed. Look at the facilities job posting and look at all of the descriptions or call HR and ask if they have jobs specifically for students.