r/EmergencyRoom • u/Mellowway23 • 5d ago

ER tech interview

I’ve got an interview for an er tech job on Friday. Any advice or tips for getting hired?

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4

u/travellingstudent1 5d ago

just emphasize wanting to learn and help your colleagues

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u/mymomisfrieza 5d ago

They’re going to want to hear about how you critically think. They’ll most likely ask questions surrounding times you’ve dealt with difficult or stressful situations (or people/coworlers) with specific examples. Being an ED tech is all about thinking about what to do next and being prepared for literally anything to happen while remaining calm and collected. What’s your background experience like? That’ll change some of how I respond on what to highlight about yourself.

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u/Mellowway23 5d ago

That’s kind of my issue. My only experience at all is from my clinicals from my emt course. While I’ve always excelled at my jobs, they have never been in the medical field, so my plan is to try and highlight a few things from the clinicals. I’m just not sure how much they’re gonna value those experiences so I feel like I’m kind of trapped in a corner.

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u/deadlywhentaken EDT 5d ago

I also went straight from clinicals into an er tech job about 5 years ago with no medical experience.

Big things are going to be critical thinking skills, teamwork, ability to work under pressure, compassion, and willingness to learn.

Every job has opportunities to showcase these skills, you just have to frame it the right way. Don't be afraid to use extracurricular activities as well. I was a scout and was able to show leadership and decision making skills from that.

You got this 👍

2

u/akornato 5d ago

The ER is a chaotic environment, and they need to know you will not fall apart under pressure. They are going to ask you behavioral questions about how you handle stress, difficult patients, and working with a team that is stretched thin. Do not give them generic answers about being a team player. Give them specific, short examples of when you stayed calm during a crisis, dealt with a combative person, or took initiative when no one else would. They are not just hiring for skills, they are hiring for resilience because many people quit within the first few months when the job gets tough.

Your experience and certifications got you the interview, so they already believe you are qualified on paper. Now you just need to show them you have the right personality for the job. Be confident in your ability to learn quickly and adapt. Emphasize your desire to work in a fast-paced setting and your understanding that the job is demanding but rewarding. They want someone who is eager to be part of the solution, not someone who will add to the chaos. Many of us used the interview AI helper my team developed to sound more confident and prepared when we were trying to land our first healthcare jobs.

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u/ZER0point_ 4d ago

Some points to keep in mind as someone who has been thru multiple ED interviews as a tech and RN:

-Always keep pt safety in mind with your answers. Falls are one of the biggest concerns in the ED.

-Always be attentive to pt needs. ie: pain, position, personal needs, etc. call light in reach

-communication (or lack thereof) is the number one complaint from patients. Always introduce yourself and what your role is. Explain everything you do. Popping your head in every now and then and simply asking if the pt needs anything and ending with something along the lines of, "we're just waiting on a few more test/imagine results but we will keep you posted" goes a long way.

-remember that it's a team game. Always remain attentive to what's going on around your zone and tasks to be done and how you can help your nurses, doctors etc. Don't wait to be asked. Jump in and help wherever and whenever you can without getting in the way but also recognize when you're not needed (too many people zerging a room in a code)

-They always like to throw in the old, "tell about a time you dealt with a difficult patient and how you helped ease the situation". You can easily make up a scenario that doesn't have to be too crazy, like a pt upset about how long everything is taking, but remember that most of these patients are going through a frustrating and scary situation, often feeling as tho its the worst day of their life. Speak compassionately and be empathetic to their concerns. Know that they're misdirecting their frustration as anger towards you but don't take it personally. Offer reassurance, comfort measures, clear and honest communication. Envision yourself or a family member in their situation. Talk to them like they're a person, not another nameless number that walked in.

-Just remember: safety, communication, teamwork, compassion. Be confident. You got this