ertechdude

I currently work in an ED (EMT-, everyone is correct the docs and nurses will watch you like a hawk at first then after you have proven you know your stuff they'll start teaching you other procedures. I've become EKG, ALS, IV, Cath, and Phlebotomy trained and certified under our states education guidelines. The hospital I work for will also pay for paramedic, nurse or medical school. Not only will they pay for school they'll pay my salary during school and intern/externships too. As the docs and nurses get to know you and are comfortable with your skill level, they'll seek you out to assist (educate you) on procedures. The director of the ED has the final say on what you can and can't do. Best advice I can give is if you don't know something or have forgotten a procedure because you haven't used it in a while, ask for help. If you try to BS your way through it they'll catch on and basically shut you down. We have an ED Tech who has been on the job 16 years who is nothing more than a ED Gopher. I've been at this particular hospital 6 months and have been accepted as part of the team. Its all attitude and demonstrating a willingness to learn and be part of the team. The upside to the ED is they typically pay more than the EMS corporations. I currently earn 4x that of an EMT-B for our area.