Before I became a nurse, I worked as a float critical care tech for my hospital. I went to all units, including ICU, and was trained on blood draws and EKGs. I had some nurses that were awesome to work with and some that abused the ancillary staff, and I vowed that when I became a nurse I would delegate appropriately. I would not ask the techs to do things that I could easily accomplish so I could sit on my phone. If I'm asking them to do something menial, like grab vital signs, then I really am too swamped to do it myself.
Some of our techs are awesome. They do anything I ask without rolling their eyes. They are constantly look through the charts, checking the orders to see who needs an EKG or labs drawn, and offer to do it before I even ask. They ask me who they can bring me from triage, and have them set up on the monitor before I even walk in the room. When a medic comes in, they work like clock work with the nurses and doctors. They know the airway cart inside and out and when the docs ask for weird supplies they run and get it before I can even figure out what they're talking about.
Other techs are awful. They roll their eyes when I ask them to do something and say "I'll get to it." and I know they won't. They'll disappear. I can't count on them for anything but making sure the inventory of the patient's belongings are done before they're admitted. It will take me longer to find them and ask for help then for me to just do it myself, and put me further behind in my work.
Scenerio: We get a patient back from CT scan, hook him up to the monitor and SpO2 is 60% on room air. Obviously we're freaking out. Doctors are in the room, the plan is to preoxygenate with bi-pap then intubate. The tech is walking around the room, getting in everyones way to inventory the belongings. While the doctor is updating the wife on the plan, he interrupts to get her to sign the sheet. Then he disappears. Completely unacceptable.
I've noticed that most of the good ones are in nursing school, even if they're just working on their prerequisites they still want to further their career, and they want to be a part of the team. I know we're only going to have for a short time because once they graduate they're gone. I feel bad sometimes, because I know they're over worked. When I have a sick patient I go to them when I need help, because I know I can count on them, even if they're in another area of the department. I don't feel comfortable transporting an intubated patient to CT scan and then ICU unless I have a tech I can count on when shit hits the fan.
When I have a tech that really helps me throughout the day I make sure to let them know I appreciate it. I thank them endlessly, and they always reply with "Stop thanking me, I'm just doing my job." I've written star employee cards for them before because I want them to know I truly am thankful for what they do. If I see a lazy nurse abusing them, I don't mind stepping in to help. It's a mutual respect thing.
So If you're a tech reading this, know that we really value what you do. You make our days so much easier if we can count on you. If you're a nurse reading this, I'm sure you can attest. I think it's important to thank them for what they do, and to delegate appropriately.
TL;DR: Techs really can make or break your day, appreciate and delegate.
-K
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