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Permalink Reply by KOJOFF on June 23, 2008 at 2:21pm

Many hospitals in this area use Medics as ER techs.

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Permalink Reply by Terry on June 23, 2008 at 4:19pm

In Mississippi many emt-basics work out front at the reception desk in the emergency room, triaging patients as to order of severity. Basics and medics also work in the ER assisting nurses and doctors.

hope this helps

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Permalink Reply by Christy on June 23, 2008 at 4:21pm

Our local hospital uses medics as ER techs. They have their CNA II. They can do more skills than the CNA II. I know here it pays more to be an ER Tech than to go to another agency and work part time. As far as why the hospital utilizes them....$$$ It is much cheaper to have ER techs than to hire additional nurses.

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Permalink Reply by Oldman on June 23, 2008 at 5:47pm

Is it a good idea?

Are you going to learn to associate vague signs and symptoms with a specific clinical diagnosis? Most definitely.

Are you going to learn the mindset of some physicians and nurses and how they view EMS personnel, and will you see examples by some of your peers which will prove why they might view EMS the way they do? Again definitely.

Will this help build a relationship with physicians and nurses to prove to them that not all in EMS are idiots (ambulance drivers)? I hope so.

Back in my day, (25 years ago) as a Paramedic working in a small town hospital, I was allowed to do a lot more than most can do now. But it also built a strong trust with the staff, that when I called in a patient report from the ambulance, they had no doubt or question about what was going on with the patient, or the treatment I had initiated enroute.

In the right setting, a medic can and will be a valuable asset to the ER patient care team not only from a monetary stand point, but also from a professional one as well.

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Permalink Reply by Medicine Man on June 23, 2008 at 5:47pm

I worked full time in the ER for awhile and now only occasionally. It is good experience and keeps your skills sharp (iv, blood draws, ekg, etc.) A medic or Er tech can do virtually anything a nurse can do except push meds. We have 2 hospitals in my area and at one you are a tech at the other you are an orderly. So each place you work will be different. As far as an EMT, you will be able to do more as a student than as an EMT. Must places would only hire you as an orderly, if at all. It is a good time most of the time. I pick when i want to work so that helps.

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