techs in the ED

mcmike55 · Mar 28, 2004

I'm a surgical nurse that floats to our ED at times, so don't take my word for book, verse and chapter of THE BOOK, but here goes.

I our rural, southeast Ohio hospital (level III trauma center), there seems to be around two tech's on a shift.

The shifts in our ED overlap, some on 8's, 10's or 12 hour shifts, or part of any.

The techs, help with splints, take vitals, run for things, do ekg's and blood draws among some other their other duties.

The one's I have had a chance to work with are very good at their job, and I for one, rely on them.

I hope that helps some.

Wishing I had something cool and thought provoking to sign off with.

Mike

shodobe · Mar 29, 2004

I agree with mcmike55, I don't float to the ED, I remain in the safety of the OR, but I have heard that our techs in the ED do really the same as his. This is in SoCal. Mike

gerinurse10 · Mar 29, 2004

I was a tech in ED for 5 years before I went to nursing school. Loved that job. I was the nurses eyes in the back of their heads. I originally went and got my EMT license, that's how I got hired. I was allowed to do alot of things. Blood draws, caths, EKGS, CPR, transport and alot of running around. When I left they were starting an IV program for the techs. Paramedics make great techs. Some places have them ride the ambulance and work in the ED. Don't know the specifics though. Good Luck.

janda03 · Mar 29, 2004

I worked in a 10-bed Fast Track area in a NE Fla ED (in addition to FT, the ED also had critical and acute sides -- total of 40 beds). My title was Associate Care Provider (ACP) but the only difference between an ACP and a tech in our dept was an EMT license. The ACPs were not supposed to start IVs but I did a few anyway as I was in nursing school at the time.

My duties included: phlebotomy, splints, EKGs, dressing lacs, vitals, transporting (the best exercise IMO), foleys, stocking, and sometimes unit clerk stuff since our secretary left at midnight. Was a great experience for me and as a new RN, I am sure to respect and appreciate the work that the techs/ACPs/PCTs etc do...

veetach · Apr 2, 2004

our techs do Ekg's, draw blood, do splinting (OCL's, ace wraps, foam/metal, sling and swath, etc) crutch training, answer call lights, take vital signs, transport pts, and many other things that I cannot think of right now. They are not allowed to put in catheters, although years ago they could. we can not exist without them. :)

nowplayingEDRN · Apr 6, 2004

our techs do Ekg's, draw blood, do splinting (OCL's, ace wraps, foam/metal, sling and swath, etc) crutch training, answer call lights, take vital signs, transport pts, and many other things that I cannot think of right now. They are not allowed to put in catheters, although years ago they could. we can not exist without them. :)

Our facility is looking to possibly get techs and the requirements I am hearing rumbled about are at least CNA or EMT training. They would not be allowed to do IVs and caths but all the other stuff that veetach mentioned they would be able to do and I know that it would such a boon to us in the ED as we are working short on all shifts, even though we over lap.

Alnamvet · Apr 6, 2004

My ED has ED Techs I, and II...II's are Paramedics, who can start IV's, hang NS infusions, do foleys, EKG's, OCL splints, and pretty much everything else a nurse does, with the exception of giving meds, or do primary assessments and triage. Tech I's can only do vitals, transport, draw labs, and pitch hit as secretaries.