What Is an ER Techs Job Description?
Jobs in the medical field are among the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. With minimal time needed for training, becoming an ER tech is a good way for those interested in a medical career to enter the profession. The job is not for the faint of heart and requires a great deal of stamina since emergency room environments are fast paced.
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What Is an ER tech?
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An emergency room technician, or ER tech, is a medical professional who works in the emergency room of a hospital under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. ER techs provide technical medical support to other emergency room personnel and play a vital role in the well being of patients in urgent care settings.
Job Responsibilities of an ER Tech
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ER techs provide a wide range of medical services for patients including phlebotomy services (drawing blood), preparing IVs and EKG monitors, inserting catheters and nasogastric tubes, obtaining lab specimens and monitoring vital signs. ER techs assist doctors while performing physical examinations and diagnostic services, and often it is the ER tech who fits patients for orthopedic splints and crutches. Some ER techs are also trained to perform sutures on small lacerations.
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Other Responsibilities of ER Techs
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ER techs generally spend the most amount of time with a patient in an emergency setting and often take medical histories, explain medications, answer patient questions and schedule future appointments. During downtime, ER techs are expected to clean equipment, restock supplies and train other technical personnel.
Training for ER Techs
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Those interested in applying for the ER tech program must have a high school diploma or GED. An entrance exam is required and, in most cases, so is a personal interview. Many junior colleges offer programs specific to ER technicians, and training can also be taken at a certified medical assistant school. Depending on the state and specific program, training can be completed in as little as nine months if attending full time. Students will take a wide range of classes including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, psychology, fundamentals of patient care and a variety of medical classes pertaining directly to the emergency room environment.
Salary and Job Outlook for ER Techs
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Entry-level ER techs can expect to earn about $25,000 a year when starting out and possibly more with shift-differential pay, according to PayScale.com. The job outlook for ER techs is good, with the medical profession expected to grow more than 35 percent through the year 2019, making ER tech jobs virtually recession-proof.
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