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What is an emergency department technologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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An emergency department technologist is an individual who provides essential support to healthcare professionals in emergency departments. They assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients by conducting tests, collecting specimens, and preparing medical equipment. Emergency department technologists work with a diverse range of medical equipment. Emergency department technologists play a crucial role in the efficient operation of emergency departments and help to ensure that patients receive prompt and effective medical attention.

ScoreEmergency Department TechnologistUS Average
Salary
2.9

Avg. Salary $37,086

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
10.0

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.81%

Asian 4.50%

Black or African American 6.51%

Hispanic or Latino 15.29%

Unknown 5.49%

White 67.40%

Gender

female 58.48%

male 41.52%

Age - 34
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34
Stress level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an emergency department technologist?

Pros

  • Chance to make a difference in patients' lives

  • Competitive salary and benefits packages

  • Flexible scheduling options

  • Potential for overtime pay and bonuses

  • High demand for skilled emergency department technologists

Cons

  • High stress and emotionally demanding work environment

  • Long, irregular hours with the potential for overnight shifts

  • Limited opportunities for advancement beyond the role of a technologist

  • May be required to work holidays, weekends, and other non-traditional schedules

  • High-pressure work environment can lead to interpersonal conflicts with coworkers or patients

Emergency department technologist career paths

Key steps to become an emergency department technologist

  1. Explore emergency department technologist education requirements

    Most common emergency department technologist degrees

    Bachelor's

    46.3 %

    Associate

    29.3 %

    Certificate

    7.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific emergency department technologist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients20.95%
    EMT11.22%
    BLS9.18%
    Phlebotomy6.98%
    CPR5.54%
  3. Complete relevant emergency department technologist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New emergency department technologists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an emergency department technologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real emergency department technologist resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming an licensed emergency department technologist usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed emergency department technologist in most of states. 35 states require emergency department technologists to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense url
    KentuckySpecific course requiredThird-party exam requiredAdvanced Emergency Medical Technician
    MarylandDegree requiredThird-party exam requiredEMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (PARAMEDIC) AND CARDIAC RESCUE
    Alabama--Registered Intermediate Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
    AlaskaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredEmergency Medical Technician
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredThird-party exam requiredEmergency Medical Technician
  5. Gain additional emergency department technologist certifications

    Emergency department technologist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific emergency department technologist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for emergency department technologists include Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Medical Assistant.

    More About Certifications
  6. Research emergency department technologist duties and responsibilities

    • Assist in care of psychiatric patients by achieving placement and facilitating transport to hospitals that support psychiatric disorders.
    • Track emergency department ALS, BLS, and walk-in patients.
    • Perform BLS when need and assist with emergency care when direct by medical professional
    • Assist patient care assistants in patient transport , 12 lead EKG and splints.
  7. Prepare your emergency department technologist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your emergency department technologist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an emergency department technologist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable emergency department technologist resume templates

    Build a professional emergency department technologist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your emergency department technologist resume.
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
    Emergency Department Technologist Resume
  8. Apply for emergency department technologist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an emergency department technologist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first emergency department technologist job

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Average emergency department technologist salary

The average emergency department technologist salary in the United States is $37,086 per year or $18 per hour. Emergency department technologist salaries range between $28,000 and $48,000 per year.

Average emergency department technologist salary
$37,086 Yearly
$17.83 hourly

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Emergency department technologist reviews

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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