Would EMT B help me land an er tech job?

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Hi everyone! I'm currently doing my pre-reqs for nursing school and starting clinicals in fall 2012. I'm already a CNA on one of the floors in my hospitals but I really really have an interest in ER nursing and would like to try and get a job as an ER tech.

Would taking an emt b class help me/be worth it? I know the hospitals here will hire ER techs with either their EMT or CNA, but do they usually have a preference? I also plan on getting my EKG certification at the end of the summer, will that increase my chances?

Any information would be great! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I've been trying to get an ER position in my hospital for awhile now, with no luck. I definitely think that they favor EMT/CNA combos, but in my opinion it's not worth it unless I was to be reimbursed by the hospital for the classes.

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

In my area, ER techs are almost exclusively EMTs, and I feel that as an EMT (especially with additional IV/EKG cert) you are in a much better position to get an ER tech job.

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Specializes in CEN, CPEN, RN-BC.
In my area, ER techs are almost exclusively EMTs, and I feel that as an EMT (especially with additional IV/EKG cert) you are in a much better position to get an ER tech job.

Same here... it's a requirement for our techs to be either an EMT-B or CMA. Our techs do a lot and I'm really grateful for them. They start IVs, do venipuncture, EKGs, ortho stuff including splinting and crutch training, Istats, blood glucose, transport, etc. They're wonderful.

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Specializes in Emergency.

it depends on the hospital. But since you already work in a hospital, the easiest way is to ask your own hospital (HR or NM of the ER). Or ask to volunteer/shadow in that area to observe it first hand.

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I had no luck getting a job with my EMT license period. This was back in 2008 in Southern California, and there were no jobs. Ultimately led me to the nursing program, so I can't complain. I would ask someone at the hospital as others have said. Who would know better than the hiring manager?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

More education wouldn't hurt. I know that in my area hospitals are transitioning to EMTs over CNAs as techs in the ED, mainly because an EMT can be ACLS certified.

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My area hires EMTs exclusively for ER Tech jobs, and the higher the better as far as licensure goes (Is are hired over Es, etc). Your EKG cert will help also, and make sure your CPR is up to date. Finding a good ER Tech job can take a long time, but good luck! It's very worth it and I've found it much more helpful than my previous patient care tech experience.

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Specializes in Psych, OB-GYN.
In my area, ER techs are almost exclusively EMTs, and I feel that as an EMT (especially with additional IV/EKG cert) you are in a much better position to get an ER tech job.

Same here. My facility, and it's sister facilities in the area, all require ER techs be NREMT-B or NREMT-I

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Help? In many of the ER's I've been to EMT is required to even apply.

It's a good course but it's about pre-hospital. If nursing is your goal and you're not going to be out doing ambulance work try a CNA program. You'll benefit more from that training because it covers more hospital/clinical skills.

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If nursing is your goal and you're not going to be out doing ambulance work try a CNA program. You'll benefit more from that training because it covers more hospital/clinical skills.

As my original post stated im already a CNA in a hospital...I was wondering if emt would help land an ER job or if it would be a waste since I already have my CNA...

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Specializes in Home Health, Long-Term Care.

The hospital I volunteer in the ER at doesn't care about being a CNA, they do require you to be an EMT-IV before they even look at you.

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