Emergency Department Technician
Impact: Direct Patient Care
Emergency Department Technicians (ED Techs) provide direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians in emergency settings. They assist with procedures, monitor vital signs, perform basic medical tasks, and ensure a safe and clean environment.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Team
- Client facing
- Always
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- None
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $45,000
- Entry-level
- $35,000
- Senior
- $60,000
- Growth by 2033
- 7%
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- None
- Salary growth potential
- 25%
- Typical student debt
- $15,000 - $30,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Patient care
- Medical terminology
- First aid
- CPR
- Vital signs monitoring
- EKG
Soft skills
- Communication
- Empathy
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability
Technical complexity: Moderate
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 3
- Years to senior
- 7
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- EMT
- Paramedic
- ED Tech
- RN
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3/10
- Prestige
- 5.5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate