ER Tech and Paramedic

[September]

Hey guys. Has/is anyone here done/doing part-time work as an ER Tech while being a Paramedic at the same time? I can only reckon to guess that all of the experience is more help than harm. Are the schedules of both occupations too much to handle at once?

 

[ZombieEMT]

I used to work as a tech for a local hospital on a per diem basis. I am only an EMT Basic. It was a good experience, lets you see the other side of things and can be more fast paced than some areas EMS.

 

[teedubbyaw]

I know a few people in my program that work as techs at busy hospitals. 2 of them that are 3rd semester have dropped down to around 20hrs a week, and 1 went prn during 4/5 semester.

They seem to do very well.

 

[usalsfyre]

I loved teching, wish I still had the time to. Ask questions and pay attention and it will greatly strengthen your knowledge base as a medic.

 

[dC0m]

My clinical preceptor at a local ED was an ER Tech, who was a paramedic prior to landing the spot at the ED. She told me her training as a paramedic gave her plenty of prehospital experience that supplemented her clinical career. Also, as a paramedic, she had a bigger scope of practice compared to other ER Techs (who were mostly EMT-Bs). The RNs let her do IVs, etc because of her expanded scope of practice.

 

[Btalon]

A bunch of our local medics works as techs at a hospital hand and hand with nurses when they aren't doing intercepts. They in ways have greater flexibility because they work under protocols and don't have to get orders for anything in their scope. It works well and it's nice having people with street experience when you bring someone in.

The exposure they have keeps them fresh and when they are needed for a local call, they are toned and leave the ER and respond.