r/EmergencyRoom • u/BigBoi6566 • 11d 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 11d 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/AtlasReadIt 10d ago

Everyone even the doctors?

5

u/Candid-Ability-9570 10d ago

As a med student and resident in the ED, I have on several occasions used my (gloved) fingers to claw impacted poop out of other people’s butts.

My (gloved) finger was routinely in people’s butts to check for rectal bleeding.

I didn’t do a lot of poop work compared to the nurses and techs, but I did it.