How to Become an Emergency Room Technician
Job Descriptions November 12, 2012Physicians and nurses working in the emergency room depend on specialized assistance provided by emergency room technicians. They are involved in the administration of tests and provide assistance with therapeutic procedures and diagnostic examinations. Emergency room technicians can get trained by completing certificate programs that are offered at many schools.
Education Requirements
Prospective emergency room technicians may seek enrollment for training at community colleges and other post-secondary institutions. Enrolled candidates at these schools have to be at least 18 years of age and must possess a high school diploma or equivalent academic qualification.
Before they enroll and participate in externship programs, the aspiring emergency room technicians may have to complete other pre-requisite conditions, as for instance, having to show proof on any immunizations; they need to agree to a background check for any criminal convictions.
Education requirements to work as emergency room technicians may vary in different states. Before you work in some hospitals, aspiring technicians need to successfully taken a certification exam.
Emergency room technician certificate programs are offered by many schools, some have associate degree programs. The coursework includes training in trauma treatment, emergency childbirth, physiology, anatomy, cardiac and respiratory care. The completion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency medical technician (EMT) training programs may be required of emergency room technicians.
Externship Programs
Apart from lab studies and coursework, potential emergency room technicians may be required to obtain hands-on experience via externship programs. Such externships are usually supervised programs conducted at local medical facilities and devised to let students experience in hospital settings in regards to what they have learned during the course. Procedures practiced are likely to include interpretation of EKG outputs and insertion of catheters.
Job Profile of Emergency Room Technicians
The work of emergency room technicians that are supervised by doctors and nurses includes the provision of support services to staff and patients. In order to achieve this they’ll do clerical work and conduct medical procedures.
Their duties typically involve taking blood samples, suturing of lacerations, hooking patients up to medical devices, preparing patients for procedures and generally assisting doctors with examinations of patients. They are accountable for the maintenance and care of specific medical equipment.
Wage Potential of Emergency Room Technicians
In 2010, certified emergency room technicians earned an average hourly wage ranging between $9.52 and $17.65. Their annual salary can exceed $41,000 depending on their training and experience (Statistics source: Payscale.com).
