EMT starting in the ED?

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Dubiety4sure

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Hello out there. I am interested in getting my EMT basic and am trying to find out more about it. I would rather work in an emergency department than in an ambulance and I am wondering if many people go right to work in a hospital emergency room or if starting out with an ambulance service is more the norm?

Also, a job posting listed EMT Basic and EMT Basic Intravenous as qualifications - aren't these the same thing? Or is there a practical difference between them (school/training or certification?) ?

Thanks. And to all those who out there working as EMTs, thank you for what you do!
 
If you haven't started a class yet, consider a CNA course first.

Most EDs that I've run into prefer CNAs to EMTs. I guess we're never taught how to wipe front to back.
 
Ha - you just put your finger on the reason I was not considering a CNA. Do you know if CNAs in the ED have a slightly different role from the standard care CNA? I have looked at medical assistant roles, but the jobs most often require a lot of experience.
 
You'll have to contact local hospitals to see what they require. Most hospitals in AZ that I've seen want EMTs or Paramedics for their ED techs. Consider volunteering with your local ED if they have a program. That can get your foot in the door to a job.
 
Don't be shy about asking local hospitals, some will hire from their volunteer ranks. Also, at least around here the techs do a totally different job from the CNAs so once again, ask around at local hospitals.
 
Dubiety4sure said:
Ha - you just put your finger on the reason I was not considering a CNA. Do you know if CNAs in the ED have a slightly different role from the standard care CNA? I have looked at medical assistant roles, but the jobs most often require a lot of experience.
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It really depends on where you are. It might be worth it to get both. Where I live usually the ER hires EMTs as techs and occasionally paramedics. CNAs are primarily on the floor and in the ICU, occasionally being used to read the telemetry monitors (which I think is a better place to put a paramedic than a CNA or EMT). Medical Assistant is more like a receptionist type job with some very simple procedures allowed, like BPs or BGLs, stuff anyone in a hospital including most of the janitors could do.

EMT with IV is an addon certification, usually offered at where ever you do your EMT class or at some nearby EMS agencies. The IV cert is just a short course that allows you to start intravenous lines and draw bloods. Most EDs and some EMS agencies require it because you'll be expected to start IVs, a few in the field and a ton in the ER.

As other posters have mentioned, don't be afraid to call up and ask. No point running into this thing blind.
 
Dubiety4sure said:
Ha - you just put your finger on the reason I was not considering a CNA. Do you know if CNAs in the ED have a slightly different role from the standard care CNA?
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If having to clean up after patients was the reason you did not consider CNA then you should really rethink any career in healthcare and most likely mature. If you think being EMT/Medic makes you above the task then you sadly mistaken. It will be part of you job if you work in the hospital regardless. I will get off my soapbox.

ER techs usually have slightly expanded roles compared to floor techs. Their responsibilities include vitals, EKGs, blood glucose, patient transport, and helping staff with procedures. Some hospitals allow their ER techs to do blood draws and IVs.

sir.shocksalot said:
occasionally being used to read the telemetry monitors (which I think is a better place to put a paramedic than a CNA or EMT)
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I was a monitor tech during nursing school and IMO using a paramedic for the job is overkill. In most hospitals centralized telemetry is designed to alert appropriate staff of changes in condition not as the definitive interpretation. The job only requires a basic understanding of cardiac rhythms that can easily be taught to a tech.

If a monitor tech calls me to say my patient's HR is 180 then I have to check the monitor, interpret the rhythm, and then take the appropriate action. It doesn't matter if it is a CNA who can only tell me that the HR is 180 or if it is a paramedic who can tell me that it is SVT/VT/A fib I still have to make the decision myself. That being said most of the non cardiac nurses I would call were totally clueless and could not read rhythms so I was the definitive interpretation. In those situations you could make an argument for a paramedic.
 
I'm looking into the same thing, right now.
One question that I'll throw out since there's been a few that have mentioned IV certs; how does that work if you already have your phlebo cert, but not IV? Is it just a shorter run through of a class?
I test for mine in 3 weeks, so. Just curious to see if anyone knows.

In Arizona, from my understanding, starting out in the ED is more of the norm than an ambo. This is because there is only 2 main ambulance services in the Phoenix/ suburbs of Phoenix area and neither one will hire unless you are 21.
 
Dubiety4sure said:
Ha - you just put your finger on the reason I was not considering a CNA.
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Chase said:
If having to clean up after patients was the reason you did not consider CNA then you should really rethink any career in healthcare and most likely mature. If you think being EMT/Medic makes you above the task then you sadly mistaken.
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You have to remember, many of these folks' desire to get into EMS has nothing at all to do with wanting to help people in their time of need. Rather, it's all about driving lights & sirens and being able to think of themselves as a hero.

It's about them, not about those they're helping.
 
Halothane said:
You have to remember, many of these folks' desire to get into EMS has nothing at all to do with wanting to help people in their time of need. Rather, it's all about driving lights & sirens and being able to think of themselves as a hero.

It's about them, not about those they're helping.
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7 years ago I didn't get into it to help people. Or to drive code. Or to be a hero.
I did it because I heard I could get paid pretty OK to sleep.

7 years later I love medicine. And helping people. The occasional paid nap doesn't hurt, either.
 
blittle said:
I'm looking into the same thing, right now.
One question that I'll throw out since there's been a few that have mentioned IV certs; how does that work if you already have your phlebo cert, but not IV? Is it just a shorter run through of a class?
I test for mine in 3 weeks, so. Just curious to see if anyone knows.

In Arizona, from my understanding, starting out in the ED is more of the norm than an ambo. This is because there is only 2 main ambulance services in the Phoenix/ suburbs of Phoenix area and neither one will hire unless you are 21.
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Not every area will have an IV class or add on. We have it here in Colorado where I work but not in Massachusetts, where my other job is. I'm not sure what other states have IV classes for basics but I imagine its pretty limited.
 
Tigger said:
Not every area will have an IV class or add on. We have it here in Colorado where I work but not in Massachusetts, where my other job is. I'm not sure what other states have IV classes for basics but I imagine its pretty limited.
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All I've seen, thus far, are Montana (EMT with IV "endorsement"), Colorado (EMT-IV), Tennessee (EMT-IV), and Washington (EMT-IV Therapy Technician).
 
EpiEMS said:
All I've seen, thus far, are Montana (EMT with IV "endorsement"), Colorado (EMT-IV), Tennessee (EMT-IV), and Washington (EMT-IV Therapy Technician).
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I recall from a previous thread here that there may be places in Florida allowing it and possibly New Mexico as well.
 
Hey, thanks for the great feedback. I am going to get in touch with an ED or two and see what they say about the tech requirements and about volunteering. I would be very excited to be able to get some experience in that area.
 
A basic can have an IV endorsment in AZ as well. Most prehospital medical directors wont allow it though. Mine does though (we're a federal tribal entity) which is awsome as a medic, its nice to have a second set of eyes looking for a site.
 
MagicTyler said:
A basic can have an IV endorsment in AZ as well. Most prehospital medical directors wont allow it though. Mine does though (we're a federal tribal entity) which is awsome as a medic, its nice to have a second set of eyes looking for a site.
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Yep...same here
 
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