A vital part of emergency room procedures is an emergency room technician, also known as an ER tech or ERT. Due to growing populations and a constant need for medical services, ER techs are in high demand in some areas. A person must complete medical training and educational requirements in order to work as an emergency room technician. To work as an emergency room technician, you’ll need a variety of personal and lifestyle skills, including the ability to multitask, stamina, a flexible schedule, and a desire to work in the high-pressure medical field of emergency care.
Although the educational and training requirements for becoming an emergency room technician vary region, many areas follow the same basic guidelines. In order to work as an emergency room technician, a person must have a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate. Trade schools, community colleges, and even four-year universities provide advanced training for ERT jobs. Medical or nursing assistant programs, emergency medical technician or EMT training, and paramedic training programs are just a few of the degree and training programs that can lead to a job in ERT.
Both patient care and hospital management techniques are required technical skills for becoming an emergency room technician. An ERT may assist with ER patient preparations such as setting up IV lines, administering shots and medication injections, drawing blood, and monitoring vital signs. Patients may be escorted to testing facilities emergency room technicians, who can also answer any questions they may have about diagnostic procedures. They may also assist administrators in managing the ER floor determining which patients are assigned to which rooms and ensuring that each room is cleaned and sterilized after each patient leaves.
Some regions may require certification in order to become an emergency room technician, in addition to completing educational requirements that feed into the ERT field. Certification can be given at the conclusion of a qualifying educational program or through testing in basic medical knowledge and emergency procedures. Certification shows potential employers that a candidate has been assessed as competent in the fundamental skills needed to work as an emergency room technician. Completion of a degree program may be considered an acceptable substitute for formal certification some medical facilities.
When considering a career as an emergency room technician, candidates should keep in mind the stress and lifestyle changes that are common in this field of medicine. ER technicians frequently work long shifts, including late at night and early in the morning. Because schedules can change from week to week depending on the needs of the facility, arranging any kind of permanent availability outside of work can be difficult. The emergency room can be a stressful environment, with common illnesses coexisting with critical injuries and even deaths. It may help to be the type of person who thrives in fast-paced, high-stress environments to be a successful emergency room technician.