Emergency Room Technician Certification and Classes
Learn how emergency room technician courses could prepare you for a career providing assistance to physicians and nurses in a hospital emergency or urgent care setting. Find out about salary data and job duties.
What You Need to Know
Emergency room technicians work in a high-speed, high-stress environment where efficiency and the ability to function under pressure are required. Many of the education requirements vary from state to state, but there are certifications available, both basic and specialized, to those pursuing a career in this field.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td> Licensing requirements vary by state; voluntary certifications are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Classes</b></td><td> Wound cleaning, proper lifting techniques, IV set-up, venipuncture techniques, urinary catheterization, splinting and casting</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2021-2031)*</b></td><td> 7% growth (for emergency medical technicians and paramedics; as fast as average)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoIEarnEmergencyRoomTechnicianCertification">How Do I Earn Emergency Room Technician Certification?</h3><p>Specific licensure may not be required for emergency room (ER) technicians, though certification requirements will vary from state to state. Certification as an emergency medical technician (EMT), nursing assistant or other healthcare professional may be necessary to become employed as an emergency room technician or to enter a postsecondary program in emergency room technician training.
</p><p>Beyond or in conjunction with emergency room technician courses, you may also prepare to earn certification in specific skill areas. You could prepare to become certified in electrocardiograms (EKG), phlebotomy, advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS).
</p><h3 id="section---WhatProgramsAreAvailableAndWhatClassesWillITake">What Programs Are Available and What Classes Will I Take?</h3><p>Emergency room technician training programs are typically offered as certificate programs that may be completed in as little as one semester. A certificate program may include coursework in:
</p><ul><li>IV setup
</li><li>Catheterization
</li><li>Blood drawing
</li><li>Splinting and casting
</li><li>Specimen collection
</li><li>Operating monitoring equipment
</li><li>EKG use
</li><li>Wound cleaning
</li><li>Documenting patient care
</li></ul><p>Clinical experiences may be required as part of your emergency room training, in addition to an externship.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatPrerequisitesWillINeed">What Prerequisites Will I Need?</h3><p>Some of these programs may require you to have already completed some training in basic life support or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or to hold certification as a healthcare provider, such as an EMT or nursing assistant. This could require the completion of a certificate or associate's degree, work experience and the passing of a national or state certification examination prior to entering an emergency room technician program.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIExpectFromACareerInThisField">What Can I Expect from a Career in this Field?</h3><p>Working in an emergency room, you will typically be dealing with sick or injured patients who require immediate attention. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, emergency work can be high-stress due to risk of exposure to disease, life-or-death situations and long hours. The median wage of emergency room technicians was $39,274 as of 2023, according to <i>PayScale.com</i>.</p>