Emergency Department Technician - Professional
On this page
- Career Opportunities
- Certificate of Accomplishment
- Requirements
- Advising
- Scheduling and Pre-requisites
- Immunizations and Externships
- FAQ's
- Information Sessions
An Emergency Department Technician assesses and manages a wide range of emergency conditions including respiratory, genitor-urinary, and cardiac emergencies. They also assist in wound care and the application of orthopedic splinting devices. Also necessary is familiarization with specialized medical equipment and the ability to communicate effectively with other medical personnel, the patient, and the patient's family in emergency situations.
This "professional" version of the Emergency Department Technician certificate is only open to board certified CNA's (with a minimum of 1 year work experience in the field) and EMT's. Students not certified as either an EMT or CNA will not be allowed entry into this "professional" version as they do not have the required background knowledge.
Career Opportunities
The job of emergency department technician is a mid-level position. There is currently no State certification for this position in Washington. Graduates of this Bellevue College certificate program should have a hiring advantage over applicants with no training or formal education in this line of work. Job seekers will also need English language verbal and written communication skills as well as the ability to function in emergency situations.
This position often serves as a stepping stone for further advancement in the field of healthcare. Many emergency department technicians continue their education by going into nursing or medical school. Because of upward mobility within the field, there are frequent openings for new applicants.
Emergency department technicians average $13 - $17.33 per hour, dependent on experience and the employer.
For currently available jobs and pay information in Washington, go to www.washingtonhealthcarecareers.com.
Certificate of Accomplishment
This certificate has a total of 20 credits and is usually completed in two quarters. It prepares participants for mid-level positions in emergency rooms.
See the full Certificate of Accomplishment curriculum.
Requirements
- Acceptance to Bellevue College as a credit student
- Immunizations for externships
- Background Check for externships
- EDT Professional Paperwork
- Externship transportation
Advising
For more information, questions, or advising assistance, please contact our office.
- E-mail: Melissa.Meinhofer@bellevuecollege.edu
- Phone: 425-564-2702
Scheduling and Pre-requisites
What are the typical work hours for someone in this job description?
Emergency Department Technician's typically work a 12-hour shift that runs from 7am to 7pm, 3 am to 3 pm, 7 pm to 7am, or 3 pm to 3 am.
What is the difference between the Emergency Department Technician and the Emergency Department Technician Professional certificates?
Besides the difference in credits between the two certificates, the “professional” version is only open to board certified NAC's (with a minimum of 1 year experience in the field) and EMT's. Students not certified as either an EMT or NAC will not be allowed entry into the “professional” version as they do not have the required background knowledge.
How does one get the school information regarding their licensure and current work experience?
Simply open the EDT Professional paperwork link for information on what paperwork needs to be sent and to whom. Upon completion and receipt of the paperwork, students will be informed of their qualification status for class entry codes.
How many credits and how long does it take to complete this certificate?
The Emergency Department Technician Professional certificate program offers a Certificate of Accomplishment composed of 20 credits. Students should expect to take three (3) quarters to complete it.
What is the usual progression through classes in this certificate?
Because of pre-requisites, the usual progression through classes is as follows:
Any Quarter |
Spring/Fall |
Summer/Winter |
|---|---|---|
| HPRO 141 (8 credits) | HPRO 180 (7 credits) | HPRO 181 (5 credits) |
| Total: 8 Credits | Total: 7 Credits | Total: 5 Credits |
Is there a faster, full-time progression through these classes?
For full-time students only, the following is the only "fast track" progression currently offered. No class substitutions or reordering of classes is allowed at this time.
Spring/Fall |
Summer/Winter |
|---|---|
| HPRO 141 (8 credits) | HPRO 181 (5 credits) |
| HPRO 180 (7 credits) | |
| Total: 15 Credits | Total: 5 Credits |
NOTE: At this time, HPRO 141 is the only class that may be taken concurrently with HPRO 180.
What is Washington state law regarding phlebotomy?
Effective September 1, 1988, Category A assistants shall meet all the following minimum requirements:
- Educational and occupational qualifications to perform venous and capillary invasive procedures for blood withdrawal:
(a) High school education or its equivalent;
(b) The ability to read, write, and converse in the English language; and
(c) Adequate physical ability, including sufficient manual dexterity to perform the requisite health care services.
Those wishing to read WAC 246-826-130 in its entirety may view it at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=246-826-130.
Will healthcare facilities hire someone with Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is the one health condition that may prevent a person from being hired into a position that requires patient interaction. It is a serious enough condition that one should research the hiring practices of local healthcare facilities before considering a career in healthcare. There are multiple healthcare positions that require no interaction with patients (i.e., filing, billing, coding), but hiring into these positions is left to the discretion of the healthcare facility.
What if one has an essential tremor?
As per the Washington state law referenced above, an essential tremor would fall under the provision of possibly not having sufficient manual dexterity to perform venipuncture. Our suggestion would be to consider the severity of the tremor and if it would compromise job performance.
What if one has carpel tunnel or some other disorder of the hands or wrists?
In some cases of carpel tunnel there is lingering or chronic damage to fingertip sensation. Such a condition would interfere with the ability to feel veins and handle equipment with the dexterity required in this field. Students with such disorders should look at the severity of the disorder and consider if it would compromise job performance.
What days, times, and quarters are classes held?
Most classes occur between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Occasionally there may be weekend classes or field trips. Courses will primarily be in the classroom with some online work. Where applicable, classes may be offered totally online. Clinical externships are held at off-site medical facilities. As we do not control when these facilities require the presence of our students, all students must plan their schedule to be fully available to whatever time schedule outside clinics request, including weekends. The following link shows quarterly offerings. Please note that HPRO 180 is only offered during the Fall and Spring quarters and HPRO 181 during the Winter and Summer quarters. This means there are only two opportunities (Fall or Spring) to start this series of 2 classes.
Immunizations and Externships
Why are immunizations required?
Medical facilities require immunizations for all personnel who interface with patients. Students attending externships require the same immunizations. The cost of immunizations are the responsibility of the student. Immunizations must be completed before applying for an externship. Failure to do so will result in the student not being able to participate in an externship.
Health Immunization Q & A and Form
Why is a criminal background check required for externships?
Medical facilities do not typically hire personnel who have felonies or gross misdemeanors in their background. As a result, a student may not be able to be placed in an externship. For students who wish to focus their education in the healthcare field, researching hiring requirements with local healthcare facilities is recommended. The following is a list of felonies and gross misdemeanors that may disqualify students from a career in the healthcare field.
What is the HSEWI Disclosure Statement for background checks?
Many healthcare programs in the Health Sciences, Education & Wellness Institute (HSEWI) require completion of this form. Students should read it for clarifying information on the criminal background check and how it may influence participation in a clinical externship. Students not accepted into an externship because of past criminal activities may find themselves in the position of being unable to complete certificate requirements.
How much does a background check cost?
Students are required to get their background check from www.certifiedbackground.com. The results of a background check are posted to the CertifiedBackground.com web site in a secure, tamper-proof environment, where the student, college and externship personnel can view the results.
- Package code "BB85" provides the national background check. The cost is approximately $49.
Where are clinical externships held?
Clinical externships are at local medical facilities which may involve limited travel to Tacoma, Bellingham, or Snoqualmie. All students accepted into an externship must have reliable transportation. All clinical experiences will be under the supervision of personnel at the medical facilities.
Can students choose their externship?
Students will not be allowed to choose their clinical site. The instructor of the program will decide which clinical site a student is assigned to.
What is considered acceptable presentation and/or behavior at externship sites?
- Students will have no visible body jewelry, face piercings, or tattoos at clinical sites. Small rings on the hands and small earrings in the ears are acceptable.
- Hair color and style must be professional with no unnatural hair colors (i.e., orange, green); hair longer than shoulder length must be tied back.
- Beards must be neat and well groomed.
- Nails must be short and trimmed.
- Shoes must have closed toes and heels.
- No perfume or after-shave is allowed.
- An official name badge will be worn at all times at clinical sites.
- All students must be on time to their externships. If a student falls ill, they must call both their instructor and the supervisor at the medical facility before their scheduled start time. Failure to notify either of these people may result in the student losing their externship and getting a grade of 'F.' Health Professions accepts no responsibility for finding any expelled student another externship the following quarter. Being expelled from a clinical site will result in the student not being able to complete their certificate program.
- All students will conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner as set out by the medical facility serving as their externship site. Failure to do so will result in the student losing their externship and getting a grade of 'F.' Health Professions accepts no responsibility for finding any expelled student another externship the following quarter. Being expelled from a clinical site will result in the student not being able to complete their certificate program.
What if a student wants to drop out of an externship after starting it?
In the event of an emergency (i.e., death in the family, hospitalization) Health Professions will do everything in their power to find another externship for the student the following quarter as any time longer than that would seriously compromise student retention of the required skills. For students wanting to leave an externship without a valid reason, Health Professions accepts no responsibility for finding them another externship. Not completing an externship will result in the student not being able to complete their certificate program.
FAQ's
How much study is required in this program?
Based on experience and recommendations we believe students who study an additional three (3) hours "outside class" for every hour spent "in class" are more successful in achieving the course's learning outcomes. (Example: A 5-credit class requires 5 hours of classroom instruction per week. This equates to 15 hours of additional weekly study "outside the classroom." That totals 20 hours per week dedicated to just one 5-credit class!)
What supplies are needed for class?
Most classes need the required textbooks, notebooks, scantrons, highlighters, pens and pencils. Some classes require scrubs and specially prepared "kits" that contain the necessary class supplies. Access to a computer with the Internet, word processing, spreadsheet software, and e-mail are necessary. Bellevue College has a student computer lab located in the "N" building for students without computer access.
Are there supply fees for classes?
Many classes require the purchase of expensive medical supplies to keep instruction state-of-the-art. The fees for these materials are either attached to the class as a supply fee or materials are packaged as a supply kit available in the bookstore for purchase with the class textbook.
Why is computer competency necessary?
Lack of competency in computer skills may result in an inability to not only complete program requirements but to eventually obtain a position in the healthcare field as the medical world is now requiring that most employees have basic computer skills. This includes word processing, file saving and transfer, Internet, and e-mail usage, as well as specific software for patient records, laboratory testing, appointment scheduling, etc.
Is one guaranteed a job after completing a certificate program?
Bellevue College does not guarantee any student a job after completing any of its programs or degrees. Health Professions certificates offer a better prepared potential employee for competitive entry-level healthcare positions.
Does Health Professions offer job placement?
Health Professions does not offer job placement for those enrolled in its certificate programs. It is suggested that students check the following web sites for job availability: www.washingtonhealthcarecareers.com and www.workforceexplorer.com.
Are Health Professions classes transferable?
Health Professions classes are designed to help people transition into entry and mid-level healthcare positions. These classes are not transferable to 4-year colleges and universities.
Who can be contacted for more program information?
For more information, questions, or advising assistance, please contact our office.
- E-mail: Melissa.Meinhofer@bellevuecollege.edu
- Phone: 425-564-2702
