Job Description for an ER Technician
ER, or emergency room, technicians are health care professionals who help doctors and nurses and care for patients in emergency situations, according to Education-Portal.com. These professionals must be willing to work a variety of shifts in 24-hour emergency rooms. ER technicians should complete some post-secondary training to have the best job opportunities in this demanding field.
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Duties
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ER technicians are responsible for performing clinical tasks such as taking blood samples to help with diagnostic tests and connecting patients to medical equipment. They can perform electrocardiograms, which measure the electrical activity of a patient’s heart. They also can take vital signs such as blood pressure or respiration rate and ready patients for various emergency procedures.
Other Tasks
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Putting on splints and helping with simple sutures are other responsibilities of ER technicians, according to DegreeDirectory.org. These technicians also can make sure patients receive crutches that fit them. In addition, ER technicians must take care of medical equipment and ensure machines are working properly. They also make changes to patients’ medical charts as necessary and keep emergency room supplies stocked. They can train new technicians as well.
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Skills
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Solid written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills are critical in the ER technician field. ER technicians must be able to work well under pressure and handle stressful situations using tact and good judgment. They also must be willing to take direction from nurses and physicians. ER technicians should have strong patient service skills, be professional and keep patient information confidential. Most importantly, they should be able to help emergency room patients remain calm and comfortable.
Education
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ER technicians typically must have only a high school diploma or GED. However, aspiring ER technicians also can complete certificate training programs to increase their employment opportunities in this field. Students in formal training programs should learn about trauma therapy, emergency childbirth, anatomy/physiology and cardiac treatment.
Aspiring ER technicians can complete certificate programs in medical assisting that last one year and prepare them to become certified through organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who want to work directly under an emergency room nurse must complete at least 75 hours of nursing assistant training and pass a competency evaluation to become a certified nursing assistant.
Outlook
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Employment of medical assistants, which include ER technicians, is projected to increase 34 percent from 2008 to 2018, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The outlook for ER technicians is positive as the population grows and ages and as the elderly population is more likely to have medical emergencies. ER technicians in 2010 earned between $23,920 and $33,226, according to PayScale.com.
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References
- Photo Credit patient image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
Comments
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An ER Technician is NOT considered a health care professional. This term is strictly limited to MDs, DOs, RNs, and RTs within the hospital setting. An ER tech is considered ancillary staff.
