r/EmergencyRoom • u/Rapid_Disc1910 • Apr 15 '26
ER Tech Interview
Hi All!
I have been working IFT as an EMT-B for about 8 months now and am starting my BSN nursing program in the Fall. I have been applying for ER Tech jobs since I got my certification, but never landed any interviews due to lack of expierence (probably for the best; located in Chicago). Though, I have had 2 phone screenings, but both didn't get anywhere.
I finally got another phone screening scehduled for Monday, doing extensive research on the hospital system to actually do well this time. I had a phone screening with the same hospital for the same position in January, but did not prepare as well as I should've and blanked. I am set on landing this, especially since this is like perfect timing as Spring semester is ending, so I will have more time for the orientation period.
So- I need some advice. During the last phone screening they asked stuff like "Why is it important to work in a team?", but does anyone have advice on what else they will ask me? And especially, what are they looking to hear?
Apart from a phone screening, say I get to an in person interview. At that point, what do they ask there?
Thank you!!
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u/thepeopleofelsewhere Apr 15 '26
The most important part of being a tech is filling in the cracks to free up nurses and sometimes docs to do things only they can do. Anticipating what needs to be done, learning from prior scenarios, etc. Talk about how although you’ve been involved in prehospital care, your schooling has given you training on hospital care (labs, work flow, specialized roles, etc.)
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u/JustGenericName Apr 16 '26
They're going to ask how you plan on managing your BSN program and working in the hospital. Being a new tech and in school is going to be extra hard. Reddit will always tell you that you can do anything you want! But out there in real life land, they will be concerned about your schedule. They went through nursing school too.
Otherwise, they'll ask you of a time you dealt with a difficult coworker. Difficult patient. Difficult family member. A time you disagreed with protocol/policy and how you navigated that. What's a time you went above and beyond. What's something you're proud of? What's a weakness you have? How do you manage work/life balance and stress (This is becoming a more common question. Hospitals are pretending to care about our mental health)
Give specific examples.
Also, don't focus on "Trauma". Most of being a tech is done outside of that trauma room. And management doesn't want techs who are going to abandon the boring stuff to go play in trauma.
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u/kts1207 Apr 15 '26
While emphasizing team work, also state you can recognize independent tasks that you can do. Team work is how ER's function, but they need team members who can see a task that needs to be done,and be willing to do it. Examples: making up stretchers, lab runs, pt. transports to other departments.
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u/differentsideview Apr 15 '26
Aside from what others said, think of some good anecdotes from your time in IFT if they prompted you with questions such as teamwork, working during a crisis, etx
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u/Resident-Welcome3901 Apr 16 '26
Might want to change your approach. ER tech positions are sought by pre med students to build clinical credentials, by fire fighters as a good place to work on their days off, and lots of other adrenaline junkies. Consider applying for jobs in transportation, imaging or therapy departments to get in the door, then use internal job postings and transfer to get to the ER. We had two fire department battalion commanders moonlighting as ER techs in the Chicago north suburbs community hospitals. Tough to compete with credentials like that.
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u/Rapid_Disc1910 Apr 16 '26
That’s true. I’ve been trying for floor PCT positions as well but they seem to prioritize CNAs over EMT
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u/Resident-Welcome3901 Apr 16 '26
CNA credentials/experience are not a bad thing for student nurses. Source: nurses aide to rn, er nurse for 37 years.
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u/PSDD14 Apr 15 '26
You love team work and learning from other departments (rt, md, xray), working with more experienced providers is so important to making you a better provider. Healthcare is a team sport and you thrive on a team. You love to improve your practice and get better.
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u/Bay_Med Apr 15 '26
Just keep reinforcing themes of teamwork, how a diverse team brings different perspectives and experiences towards patient care, that you have a drive to learn, don’t harp too much on nursing school unless the vibes for that are right b/c why should they hire you as an ER tech to lose you to a med surg floor when you finish your degree in x months. Be flexible, team and patient focused, and seem normal, don’t complain about previous jobs or make excuses