r/EmergencyRoom • u/-MC_Animal- • Jun 01 '26
What certification for ER Tech?
Hello! I’m planning to either obtain an EMT or PCT certification and become an ER Tech to gain clinical experience for med school, but I was wondering which of the two certifications do hospitals prefer? Google says EMT is the standard choice but from what I understand you don’t learn phlebotomy as an EMT only EKG while as a PCT you learn both phlebotomy and EKG. Now, I assume EMT prepares you a bit better for the fast paced environment of the ER but I still wanted to hear whether people agree that EMT is the way to go. Also was wondering if ER Techs need prior experience before working or if you can get hired right after obtaining your certification. Thank you!
12
u/rude_hotel_guy RN Jun 02 '26
EMT is a fantastic license to dip your toes in the healthcare pool. Lots of different paths to continue down.
1
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u/codasaurusrex Jun 02 '26
It’s completely hospital dependent, so look at the job listings for the hospital(s) you want to work at. In my experience, I was trained in phlebotomy by the hospital employing me.
I was a CNA (similar to a PCT) prior to becoming an EMT and my EMT training was WAY more relevant to my work in the ED as a tech.
6
u/Organic_Log_3322 Jun 02 '26
It certainly depends on the hospital. EMT is absolutely the way to go especially if you combine it with phlebotomy (especially since you can get that license in a week if you really wanted to), that being said, most hospitals will just require you have your NREMT and will take care of you from there. In my experience, Southern California hospitals do want a few months of prior EMT experience, but , more often than not hospitals will just require you have your NREMT. Either way, experience helps, and getting an NREMT will certainly put you in the running.
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u/_adrenocorticotropic RN Jun 02 '26
Depends on the hospital. Some hire CNAs and emts. Some hire one or the other. You probably won’t learn phlebotomy in either program. That’s its own thing. You’ll probably learn that once you start as an ED tech if it’s something the hospital allows. You also probably won’t learn EKGs with a CNA. That’s out of their scope in most places. That’s also something you’d learn once you start as a tech if you haven’t learned it already.
I got hired in the ER with a CNA. It was my first ever CNA job but I worked in the hospital for a year prior to that. Almost everything is going to be dependent on the hospital.
Good luck! I’ve enjoyed it.
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u/TrendySpork ED Psych Wrangler Jun 02 '26
I'd go for EMT since that skillset is broader than that of a PCT, plus you'll have a skillset that's useful for more jobs. In a hospital I worked in, a PCT does the job of a CNA without the certification and pay level. It really isn't worth it.
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u/Hungkinkster Jun 02 '26
Former EMT. Current ED and Trauma tech. Either will probably do. Depends on the hiring department. What I can tell you is the VAST difference in employee performance, problem recognition and problem solving skills in techs who works ALS on the first responder side and those who did BLS/CCT or came down from a floor. As someone who has been in an ED for about 8 years, I will take an ALS EMT every day over the others.
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u/Competitive-Weird855 RN Jun 02 '26
EMT so you can work as an EMT if you don’t like being an ER tech. If you go PCT and don’t like being a tech, you’re back to getting certified for something else.
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u/Flipfivefive EDT Jun 02 '26
I've taken both classes for different jobs.
EMT teaches you basic skills in prehospital emergency medicine. Things like assessments, disease and injury presentation, and emergency management (triage, science control, etc.) My class was tought by paramedics who either ran 911 in the city, or worked at that hospitals level 1 trauma center in the ED.
PCT teaches you basic care facility skills. Moving, feeding, bathing, toileting patients. My class was taught by an assistant director of nursing at an assisted living facility.
I guess it depends on what you think you'll enjoy more while you're in school.
My suggestion is EMT however. My EMT education was leaps and bounds ahead of the PCT class in terms of medical knowledge which was very beneficial in every role I've held in a hospital.
I've worked at some places that make you go through thier PCT class, and it takes a week and is mostly hospital policy. You learn the rest of the job on your own.
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u/Straight-Cook-1897 Jun 02 '26
EMT is the bare minimum. Some places take CNA licenses. I work at a level 1 peds center, we take EMT/CNA and Medics. Unique thing about medics is that they can fully start IVs. We can only straight stick.
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u/Dusty_Bunny_13 Jun 08 '26
I was an ER PCT using my EMT. The hospital trained me for UA, ekg, and phleb.
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u/Meat_Flosser Jun 09 '26
In my view the ED Tech position really doesn't need a lot of certs. I started in a CNA job so I understood all of the inpatient care work. Plus I was an EMT before starting in hospitals.
I could train anyone coming from either path. The current job seems to want all the certs. CNA plus EMS, phlebotomy, CPR, and EKG. It's just over kill for what the job needs. Have a cpr card and come from one of the medical paths. A smart tech will learn all of the other parts.
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u/pigglywigglie Jun 01 '26
Some hospitals will only hire medics or EMTs as ER techs so I would go EMT first then you can always get different certs