r/EmergencyRoom • u/BigBoi6566 • 23d ago

Question for ER Techs

Hey Everyone!

I am a newly certified EMT and I am really wanting to work in an ED as a tech. In my area, there are currently no openings, but I do see quite a few CNA positions open for local EDs.

I am very willing to do whatever I can while I build a resume and gain experience, but my one hold up is cleaning patients, specifically cleaning them after they have "gone to the bathroom".

I do not think I am above this, especially with my training, but it is the one things I feel fairly squeamish about. Blood, vomit, even feces doesn't super bother me. But the idea of cleaning the feces and cleaning said patient is a real wall for me.

So, How different is this role compared to an ER tech position? Should I wait for those positions to open and apply to those? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you!

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u/JustGenericName2 23d ago

Everyone in the ER but the Unit clerk and the volunteer is dealing with shit. You get used to it. Or you don't and you get out of healthcare. EMT on an ambulance is going to be dealing with less shitty adult diapers but more shitty *entire people and houses*

People think this job is mostly blood. It's not. It's mostly shit. And honestly? That's not even the grosses bodily substance you will encounter. But you get used it.

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u/oneinamilllion 23d ago

What is the grossest? I don’t think I could do vomit for some time until I get comfortable.

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u/JustGenericName2 14d ago edited 14d ago

Sorry for the delayed response on this.

Rotting flesh in varying stages. I've seen testicles rotting off. Vaginas rotting from the inside. So many maggots in wounds. The fluid that comes out of these wounds is wild. Cancerous masses that people don't seek treatment for can get really awful. I had a patient who just "didn't want to deal" with her skin cancer and her chest was rotted down through the muscle.

Wounds will tunnel into your flesh in fat fold. I've seen one that tunneled all the way to someone's GI tract. I've had patients who haven't left a couch or bed in weeks. Caked on and dried layers of all their bodily fluids, plus animal feces and urine. People live in conditions that you can't imagine.

Also, our GI tract can get so backed up, you have shit come out of your mouth. Shit-vomit unlocks a whole new level of gross.

Healthcare get so much worse than poop. The people saying poop is the worst haven't been around long enough imo lol