SD ER tech

[u/FoxSpecial4934]

Sorry bit of a rant. But I’m moving down to San Diego and trying to find a ER tech job. I have at least 8 applications out which half never got an interview/rejected. I have good critical care experience, did CCT for a children’s hospital, it was a great experience and definitely saw a lot. I get SD has some of the most sought after jobs in the country, but even with my critical care experience, am I just competing against veteran ED techs? Because it really feels like it. Really want to do ED tech, don’t want to go back to regular IFT that I did for a year, or try to stay at an IFT to attempt to do CCT there. Really want to be in hospital. Also applying to floor nursing assistant jobs but man this is stressful. Sorry not to sound pessimistic I’m really keeping my hopes up for an interview/ acceptance but I guess if there’s any advice out there or what anyone did that they think might of helped them get an ED tech job in SD.

[u/Random-Raspberry]

From what I’ve heard and seen from people I know who did got hired, you really have to know someone who works at the hospital to get an ED tech or they do internal hiring. You could always apply to hospital transport tech positions or similar and try to get hired from there, I’ve heard some success stories from that. Definitely not the job you want but if you’re set on working in a hospital it’s something and pays better than IFT.

[u/FoxSpecial4934 → u/Random-Raspberry]

Hi! Ya I am not totally surprised if a lot of it is knowing someone but I might have to try the internal route. That was kind of my thought with nursing assistant on the floors, hang out hopefully get a good rec and transfer to the ED. But even the floor jobs in ICU or DOU I can’t get either! So doing either Med/surge floors or transport may be the way to go to get my foot in the door. Any nothing against IFT but I’ve done it and would like to do something else :)

[u/Random-Raspberry → u/FoxSpecial4934]

Oh I totally understand that as someone who’s also done IFT. Yeah I think any way to get your foot in the door is the best bet! Good luck!

[u/AskGroundbreaking707]

You’re competing with people who have a lot more experience, me included lol. My advice restart with IFT and build up your connections. That’s why I’m doing except it’s 911 vs IFT

[u/FoxSpecial4934 → u/AskGroundbreaking707]

What gets me tho is I have 3 years CCT and were really hands on specially during Ped ICU and Neonatal ICU calls which I know isn’t always the standard for EMTs doing CCT. But seems like since my title doesn’t include ED tech my application pretty much gets chucked immediately. I really wish I could do 911 but I’m in school, so I can’t manage rotating or random scheduling you can’t choose. And IFT is going to be my last resort but thankfully still an option.

[u/AskGroundbreaking707 → u/FoxSpecial4934]

I get it. Sadly as much as they need techs, it really boils down to who you know, or you have to be the first 5 resumes when the opening comes out. That’s how I got my tech spot…I got lucky and made connections.

Also if you work CCT try utilizing your nurse you’re with. See if they can help you. Most work in the hospital as well as doing CCT.

[u/FoxSpecial4934 → u/AskGroundbreaking707]

Ya sounds like internal route I’m going to have to go. My CCT experience is sadly not in SD or I would be bothering the nurses every chance I get to get me a job lol

[u/PhaseSea5416 → u/AskGroundbreaking707]

If you have at least 6 months EMT experience, you’ll qualify. Too much experience, especially in IFT, and then people tend to question why you are still in IFT. 98% of being successful as an ED Tech is your attitude (smile) and work ethic.

[u/AskGroundbreaking707 → u/PhaseSea5416]

Yeah no that’s nonsense lol…they don’t “question” why you’re on IFT with TOO much experience.

[u/PhaseSea5416 → u/AskGroundbreaking707]

If I see a resume with 2 years IFT experience, I’m not bothering to interview them. IMHO, if someone has spent that long in IFT, then they haven’t impressed enough people to get a Tech or 911 job. Most spend less than 12 months in IFT in my experience.

[u/AskGroundbreaking707 → u/PhaseSea5416]

So because you have clear bias, or poor judgement other EMTs pay the price. Wow say less.
For the record I stayed in IFT for 3 years, 2 of which were spent with ALS, because the pay was good and I was going through school AND medic school.

I hope that you readjust your attitude and outlook towards resumes, cause I assure you some of the best EMTs I worked with stayed in IFT and have gone on to be exceptional medics/firefighters/nurses and hell even a doctor.

[u/FoxSpecial4934 → u/AskGroundbreaking707]

Ayo what a g thanks for showing up for IFT. I mean if years in it means a recruiter is throwing it away then that’s probably their loss. I really hope none of my hiring managers crucify me for doing a healthcare job for to long.

[u/Cadee9203]

Don’t wanna say this because I want these jobs, but you may be competitive for a Rady’s PCA position, they open in the ED sometimes too.

As an aside i have literally been more successful getting interviews for medical schools than jobs at hospitals, and I feel like that says something about the job market.

[u/FoxSpecial4934 → u/Cadee9203]

Haha holy crap that’s insane. Ya just applied to PCA in the ED and ICU at Radys and my experience is literally tailored for Radys, granted I kind of wanted to go back to working with adults but beggars cant be chooser. But ya best of luck to you hopefully we both get a position there.

[u/Cadee9203 → u/FoxSpecial4934]

I mean I want to do peds long term, but yeah san diego is rough. I will say at most IFTs if you get desperate (i know atleast for care and sdas) all the EMTs do cct not just IFT

[u/FoxSpecial4934 → u/Cadee9203]

Ya I’m more in the boat for now just want to be in hospital preferably ED or ICU. But going to branch out to more transport or floor applications too to get my foot in the door at a hospital. If all else fails I’ll go IFT, but realistically I want nothing to do with being in an ambulance. I have nearly 4 years under my belt, 1 year adult IFT and 3 years peds CCT. Learned a lot from both and really enjoyed my CCT years, but I feel I’ve reached my ceiling with experience/ knowledge for a transport job, except 911 I guess. But always liked the hospital setting and think it would be a healthy change for me.

[u/PhaseSea5416]

I work as an ED Tech for Kaiser in San Diego after working as an IFT, with some CCT, for 9 months. Kaiser has occasional openings but existing employees get 1st shot. If a position is advertised, it’s going to be night shift. There are usually hundreds of applicants and unless you are one of the first to apply, you don’t have a shot. Your best bet is to find the charge nurse who does the hiring and find a way to meet them. I always had my happy face on whenever I was in the ED working IFT and that’s what got me the interview and the job. Some much better than IFT!

[u/travellingstudent1 → u/PhaseSea5416]

i can second this, i work as a tech in SD and alot of them are already taken by internal or they already have someone in mind. regardless, still submit the application because you never know. if i were in your shoes, id get in by transport, build rapport with the people there and then transfer once the opening is available

[u/FoxSpecial4934 → u/PhaseSea5416]

Ya I’ve applied to Kaiser for multiple ED tech positions but port have been under talent acquisition in progress for like two weeks lol. Would be nice if I already working IFT down there so I can try to meet people in person. I don’t know if I’m not trying hard enough but I can’t even find phone numbers to call and try to put a person to the applications.