Overview of the Requirements to Become an ER Tech

 help desk technician salary

Licensure Info. Though you'll need EMT or CNA certification to work as an ER tech, there is no separate ER tech certification required. Some employers may prefer that you have both EMT and CNA certification.

Emergency room (ER) technicians treat patients and help with assessment in emergency care settings. Work in this field requires the completion of a CNA or EMT program and certification. Learn about the career and education requirements, as well as job duties for this field.

Overview of the Requirements to Become an ER Tech

An ER tech is a professional combination of EMT and CNA who works in an urgent care setting or ER, under the guidance of a registered nurse or physician. You will not go with medical transport or rescue vehicles to emergency scenes.

Important Facts About ER Techs

Salary (2018)	$28,530 (Nursing Assistant), $34,320 (EMT)
Key Skills	Compassion, Problem-solving, Strength and Patience
Job Outlook (2016-2026)	11% (Nursing Assistant), 15% (EMT)
Work Environment	Full time work, considerable manual stress and possible exposure to contagious diseases

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Requirements

You must fulfill these requirements in order to be an ER tech:

• 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED
• Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification
• Completion of a CNA or EMT educational program
• CNA or EMT certification
• Be able to function accurately, professionally and compassionately under pressure
• Have a sufficient level of physical and mental conditioning
• Be able to lift a moderate amount of weight

Duties

As an ER tech, you will assist with patient undressing and positioning, take vital signs and help with assessment. You will retrieve equipment, supplies, linens and necessary paperwork for doctors and nurses to perform their responsibilities. Duties may include performing phlebotomy procedures, 12-lead electrocardiograms, IV set-ups and urinary catheterizations. You will also provide wound care, splinting and casting for injuries. In addition, you will provide comfort and care for the patient's needs.

Additional duties include transporting patients to other departments for tests, as well as collecting and delivering lab specimens. Administratively, you will answer telephones, assist with entering orders into the database, direct visitors and ensure that supplies are accurately replenished.

how much do help desk technicians make

 

 how much do help desk technicians make

IT Technician Career Overview

In order to know whether or not you would like to become a computer technician you will need to know a little more about what the IT Technician career entails. There is a continuously growing demand for professionals in this field as technology evolves and finds an ever increasing number of roles in modern society.

Computer Repair Technician, Desktop Support, IT Technician and Support Technician are all job roles that fulfil the need for these skilled IT workers. The specific duties and responsibilities of these roles can vary based on the requirements of the specific organisation but to become a computer technician you should have the skills to fulfil tasks such as:

• Installing PC Hardware
• Installing PC Software
• Computer Repair
• Maintaining equipment
• Providing desktop support
• Troubleshooting a vast range of computer issues
• Configuring computer networks

 

10 Tips to Become a Computer Technician

1. Get your CompTIA A+ Certification

One of the best foundations to ensure a great start when you decide to become a computer technician is to gain the right qualifications. CompTIA A+ is one of the most sought-after entry-level certifications in this field and most IT jobs require this as a basis. The course can be studied via online training so this is a qualification that you can work towards in your own time and at your own pace. The CompTIA A+ certification is considered to be a standard requirement when you are looking to become a computer technician so having this on your CV will be highly beneficial.

2. Practice Computer Repair

When you become a computer technician a large part of your job will consist of computer repair. This is a vital part of desktop support and will require that you are able to repair PC hardware, software and accessories such as printer and scanners. As an aspiring IT Technician, you can gain a vast amount of practical experience by repairing broken computers belonging to friends and family. If you are able to, source unwanted broken computers and spend time figuring out what you are able to fix and learn from what you have discovered.

3. Build a Computer

Although it will not necessarily be a part of your job when you become a computer technician, building computers can teach you as much as computer repair can and this is a great learning tool for those who learn through practical application. When buying the different components, you will learn about the internal structure of a computer and this will provide a wealth of knowledge. To become a computer technician you will need to know computers in a very detailed manner and building one from scratch is a significant learning curve.

4. Volunteer in Desktop Support

One of the quickest and easiest ways in which to gain the practical experience that will assist your goal to become a computer technician is to do volunteer work. Work at a local small business, a school or wherever you can find someone who is in need of computer repair or other aspects of desktop support. If possible, request that each of these places write you a recommendation letter stating that you have partaken in volunteer IT Technician work and what you have done during your time with them. These could prove helpful when applying for a job to become a computer technician.

5. Create a Search Friendly CV

Now that you have a relevant certification or two and have added practical experience to your inventory, it is necessary to ensure that your CV will get noticed by those recruiters who are hiring. There is fierce competition for IT Technician roles and recruiters are often swamped by the masses of applications that they receive. This has led to the use of filtering features and it is vital that you consider these when constructing your CV. Ensure that you clearly note any IT certifications that you have earned (CompTIA A+ is often used in the filtering process), mention any practical experience that you have gained (even if this is simply helping your friends and family with computer repair) and do not clutter your CV with unnecessary information or details – interviews are for the recruiter to ask for further information relating to the areas of your CV that have caught their attention.

How do you answer a help desk call?

help desk support jobs

 

The palm of your hands become clammy and you begin to fidget with the pen in your hands. The temperature in the room seems to rise as your heart beats faster and a bead of sweat trickles down your face. You’re anxious, excited and nervous all at the same time, and you’re not quite sure how this conversation will go...

https://www.fieldengineer.com/blogs/what-does-a-help-desk-technician-do

You might think this is a scene from a romantic movie, yet it's actually an accurate description of what happens when you have to answer a customer phone call for the first (and second, and third…) time. Interacting in real time with your clients can be nerve-wracking, as the pressure of saying everything right, proudly representing your company, and having all the answers can make you jittery. Here, we’ve gathered a few tips that will show you exactly how to answers customer service calls like a pro.

DO’S

Answer with a professional tone

Answering the phone with an inviting manner will set the mood for the rest of the conversation. Start by creating a professional greeting that introduces yourself as well as your company. This introduction may sound something like this: “Hello, good ____. Thank you for contacting _____, my name is _____.” Continue by asking your customer how you can be of assistance. This will show them that you are happy and ready to initiate the call. Finally, throughout the conversation, continue to adopt this professional tone by speaking clearly and at a moderate pace. This way, customers can easily keep up with the information you are providing.

How do I become a help desk technician?

 technician desk

To become a help desk technician, you first must complete a high school diploma or equivalent. Though some jobs require a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, some help desk tech jobs only require an associate degree and on the job training.

Help Desk Technicians provide technical support for IT end-users.

Help desk technicians are vital to the IT workforce, as they keep the technologies that organizations rely on to do business up-to-date and running smoothly.

IT help desk technicians provide technical support and troubleshooting services to end-users who need assistance with their computer hardware or software. There are two chief types of help desk technician: In-house and Remote. Remote help desk technicians support technology customers via phone, online and occasionally on-site. In-house technicians only provide support for internal employees.

Help desk technicians need a deep understanding of computer hardware and software. Strong communication skills are also essential, as help desk specialists must effectively communicate solutions to both technical and non-technical individuals. The IT help desk career path is ideal for methodical problem-solvers with an aptitude for learning and quickly adapting new skills. Patience, resourcefulness and a desire to help others are desirable virtues in technical support and help desk roles.

Many IT pros begin their career as help desk technicians because of the low experience and education requirements, then as they're exposed to new IT disciplines and technologies they discover their niche and branch out into other IT careers, such as network administrator, DBA or IT security specialist. Other technicians will remain at the help desk and leverage their experience to become a help desk technician manager.

a.k.a. Desktop Support Technician | Technical Support Specialist | Computer Support Engineer | IT Support Specialist | Field Service Technician | Desktop Support Analyst

What are the best entry level computer jobs?

 entry level desk jobs

First, What Skills Do You Need to Land an Entry-Level Job in Tech?

When you’re looking at the job requirements for an entry-level position, you might see a lot of listings that “require” 3-5 years of experience. And you’re probably thinking to yourself, “How is this an entry-level position if they want me to have years of experience?!”

I’ll let you in on a little secret: job “requirements” and “qualifications” are really just a wish list for the perfect candidate. They’re not the bare minimum of qualifications the person hired will actually have.

So when you see “must have 3-5 years experience”—or a laundry list of programming languages you should be an expert at—think less about whether you have those skills or experience right now and more about whether you feel capable of performing the job as a whole. Then, make sure you emphasize the skills you do have, and how those skills make you the best candidate.

Another great technique? Start learning the skills you know your dream job or company requires. There’s a lot ot be said about the candidate who walks into a job interview and says, “I have a basic understanding of how to code, but I’m also currently enrolled in a course on HTML & CSS to expand those skills.” (And if you’re not? Try signing up for our free 10-day bootcamp, or take a look at one of our tech blueprints if you’re interested in a deeper dive in anything from front-end web development to user experience.)

11 Tech Jobs to Consider if You Have No Experience

Here are some entry-level tech jobs that are a great way to get started on a new career path. None of them require a ton of experience, but most of them pay an average salary of at least $50,000 (and some companies might pay a lot more than that).

Added bonus: many of them don’t require the traditional “tech” knowledge you’d probably expect. All digital skills are job skills, so we’ve included roles that are geared toward marketing, editorial, and web development alike (plus some other wild cards).

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Digital marketing managers are in charge of digital and social media marketing for a company or brand. They focus mostly on increasing sales, brand awareness, and customer loyalty. They often manage all of the company’s customer-facing online presence, including websites, social media profiles, advertising, and other communications.

Digital marketing managers are also on the front lines of discovering new avenues for digital promotion. When new sites, platforms, and technologies are released, it’s their job to assess whether they might be a good marketing solution for the brand.

Ideal skills (to have or to learn):

The tech skills you’ll need for a digital marketing manager position include some familiarity with search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing (SEM), experience with conversion tests and experiments, and proficiency with marketing database apps, email, social media, and online advertising.

How much does a help desk make?

  help desk pay

Help desk professionals manage customer service requests and address support tickets. Often, they also use specific software which, when used properly, can save time, effort, and money. Creating a help desk service consists of assessing your needs, training staff, and giving them tools to help them respond to customer concerns before the competition does.

We recommend Freshdesk for any small business that is looking for a help desk service. Freshdesk makes it easy for agents to organize and manage all customer tickets, and the system comes in different pricing tiers to meet the needs of most companies. Click the button below to get started with Freshdesk for free.

What Is a Help Desk?

In basic terms, a help desk is a central online hub where your customers can talk to customer support staff. It can be a physical desk but is more commonly a virtual space where your customers can reach out to you when they need help. Depending on the size of your company, a help desk can be staffed either by one individual employee or a specialized team dedicated specifically to support.

In some way, all companies have a help desk of sorts as part of their customer or account management system. If a customer has a problem with your product or service, they will probably call your organization to get the issue sorted out. A help desk management software solution is designed to make customer support easier thanks to ticket management, communications, automation, and other features.

How to Set Up Your Help Desk in 5 Steps

When setting up your own help desk operations, it is important to decide how you want to use your help desk. From there, you should identify any gaps between your goals and your current support operations. These five steps will give you the knowledge to map out a process that can adhere to at any level within your management structure so that your help desk can easily scale with your company’s growth.

Here are the five steps to take when setting up your help desk.

1. Decide What Support Your Desk will Deliver

Traditionally help or support desks are a place for receiving basic customer tickets and fixing customer issues as they’re reported. However, they can also serve a more strategic function by acting as a centralized location for managing customer service workflows, centralizing customer data, and building a self-service knowledge base.

Help desks can also be expanded to include company-wide service requests. This means the help desk assists both internal and external customers and can act as a central hub for a customer relationship management (CRM) process.

The 13 Highest-Paying IT Jobs in 2020

 it help desk salary

Technology professionals with the right set of qualifications have a lot of options in the current employment market. Whether you’re an applications architect or data security analyst, salaries are on the rise in many areas of technology due to the strong demand for highly skilled IT specialists.

1. Big data engineer 

Businesses need individuals who can transform large amounts of raw data into actionable information for strategy-setting, decision-making and innovation — and pay well for people with these skills. The salary midpoint (or median national salary) for big data engineers is $163,250. These professionals typically create a company’s software and hardware architecture, along with the systems people need to work with the data. Big data engineers usually have a degree in computer science and expertise in mathematics and databases. 

See our open big data engineer jobs.

2. Mobile applications developer 

Just look at your phone or tablet applications and it’s pretty easy to figure out why mobile applications developers are in demand. These IT pros need expertise in developing applications for popular platforms, such as iOS and Android. They also must have experience coding with mobile frameworks and mobile development languages, as well as a knowledge of web development languages. The salary midpoint for mobile applications developers is $146,500.

See our open mobile applications developer jobs.

3. Information systems security manager 

Successful candidates for this hot job possess a technical background in systems and network security, but also have great interpersonal and leadership abilities. Analytical and problem-solving skills are key, as are excellent communication abilities. Information systems security managers also need to keep up with security trends and government regulations. Certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or CompTIA Security+ are often requested by employers. These IT pros earn a midpoint salary of $143,250.

See our open information systems security manager jobs.

4. Applications architect 

These tech pros, who have a mean salary of $141,750, design the main parts of applications, including the user interface, middleware and infrastructure. In addition to strong technical abilities, they need to be able to work well on teams and sometimes manage them. Excellent communication and planning skills are required for this job. It’s one of the highest-paying IT jobs because just about every company wants to improve existing applications or create new ones.

See our open applications architect jobs.

average salary for help desk technician

 average salary for help desk technician

A Help Desk Technician provides technical support and assistance, whether on the phone, in person, or remotely, related to computer systems, hardware and software. A Help Desk Technician responds to customer queries to provide technical assistance.

Computer Systems Analysts look for ways to optimize a business or organization use of its information technology. In many ways, they act as a bridge between business operations and IT to make sure they're supporting each other.

Computer Systems Analyst Job Description Template

Our IT team is rapidly expanding and we are now hiring a Computer Systems Analyst. You will research various hardware and software to decide if they will improve the overall IT function. You will also install, deploy, and test new systems. To do well in this role you should have a thorough knowledge of modern computer systems and applications and be able to quickly collect data to back up decisions you make.

Computer Systems Analyst Responsibilities:

• Consult with colleagues about their IT needs.
• Research hardware and software technologies to decide if they offer improvements.
• Help the management team decide if IT systems and infrastructure upgrades make business sense.
• Develop new functionality for existing computer systems.
• Select and install new software and hardware systems.
• Oversee new system installation and setup, and customize them for business needs.
• Run tests on systems.
• Train end users and write instruction manuals as necessary.

Computer Systems Analyst Requirements:

• Bachelor degree or master degree in computer science or related field.
• Knowledge of and experience with distributed networking concepts.
• Experience using computer aided software engineering tools and applications.
• Deep knowledge of hardware and software applications.
• Proven track record developing and supporting effective business systems.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Strong understanding of and ability to use mathematics.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Work well with our network administrator, security analyst, hardware analyst, business analyst, support specialist and other team members.
• Assist with inventory control.
• Provide technical support as needed.

 

What is the salary of a fresher?

 it service desk salaries

They earned an average $86,720 per year, or $41.69 per hour, though pay could rise over $139,170 annually, or $66.91 hourly, or descend to less than $43,120 per year, or $20.73 per hour.

The term “office worker” can apply to anyone who primarily works in a climate-controlled room with a desk, computer and outside communications connections. Their tasks emphasize the mental over the physical. Because of the broad definition, which can cover such jobs as CEOs, clerks, secretaries and architects, the designation must narrow to those handling administrative tasks in an organization.

The country’s more than 21.3 million office workers earned a mean $34,120 per year, or $16.40 per hour, as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest-paid 10 percent made less than $18,980 yearly, or $9.13 hourly, while the best-paid 10 percent received more than an annual $53,880, or $25.90 per hour. More than 5 percent of the total worked for depository-credit intermediation, which included banks and credit unions. Mean wages here ran $31,950 per year, or $15.36 per hour. The highest wages were in the Postal Services, averaging an annual $51,300, or $24.66 hourly. https://www.fieldengineer.com/blogs/what-does-a-help-desk-technician-do

Number

The office occupation with the most employees belonged to general office clerks, which comprised almost 10 percent of the total. They averaged $28,920 annually, or $13.90 per hour, with lows under $17,740 yearly, or $8.53 per hour, and highs above an annual $43,390, or $20.86 hourly. They handled miscellaneous office tasks such as answering phones, filing records or running errands. Their biggest employer was local government, where 191,580 earned a mean annual $31,960, or $15.37 per hour. Their highest-paying employer was the Postal Service, averaging $53,170 per year, or $25.56 hourly.

Is CompTIA Security+ Worth It? A Salary Perspective

 security+ salary

IT security is expected to grow 28 percent between 2016 and 2026, making this field an attractive career option. Many professionals turn to certifications to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Today, we take a closer look at the CompTIA Security+ certification and ask the question – is it worth it? 

Security is one of the fastest growing areas in IT. The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth of 28 percent for Information Security Analysts between 2016 and 2026. (Information Security Analysts is a general job category designation used by the BLS for security-related roles in the field of Computer and Information Technology.) With growth rates higher than the national average, IT security-related positions continue to be a very attractive career option for those seeking entry to security roles or looking to make a career change.

Almost 90 percent of IT professionals hold at least one certification. Many IT professionals view certifications as a way to gain a competitive advantage in the workforce marketplace. Unfortunately, not all certifications are created equal, and popularity doesn’t necessarily guarantee a return on investment in terms of helping you to gain a new job or secure a much-needed raise.

Today, we’re going to take a look at one of the CompTia’s star certifications — CompTIA Security+ — and examine whether it delivers in terms of advantages in hiring and higher salary.

About CompTIA Security+

Globally recognized, CompTIA is one of the world’s largest IT trade associations. A leader in vendor-neutral certifications, CompTIA has awarded more than two million certifications since its inception in 1993. Currently, it offers 13 vendor-neutral credentials across four focus areas: core skills, infrastructure, cybersecurity and other professional skills (project management or training, for example).

One of CompTIA’s most popular certifications to get, the CompTIA Security+ credential is part of CompTIA’s Core certification portfolio, which includes the IT Fundamentals+, A+, and Network+ credentials. Security+ builds on the technical and networking skills gained through the A+ and Network+ certifications. Both A+ and Network+ are recommended prerequisites for the Security+ certification, along with two years of security-focused IT administration experience.

An entry-level credential, Security+ is ideal for individuals seeking to establish themselves as IT security professionals. The certification targets IT professionals who troubleshoot, configure and manage networks. It not only validates a candidate’s knowledge of core cybersecurity topics, but also their ability to perform core cybersecurity tasks. Security+ credential holders are able to identify and solve security issues and are well-versed in managing and mitigating risks and detecting threats.

The latest version of the certification exam is sy0-501. Like many other certifications, Security+ is valid for a limited period of time and requires continuing education for each renewal.

CompTIA Security+: Salary Overview of Certified Professionals

As an entry-level credential, Security+ is frequently one of the first certifications obtained by aspiring IT security professionals. It validates that a candidate possesses the knowledge and skills to fulfil a variety of junior and entry-level security related roles, such as penetration tester, junior IT auditor, and systems, network or security administrator. Security+ skills are also used by security specialists, engineers and security consultants.

According to the May 2017 BLS Occupational Employment and Wages (BLS wage) report, the national mean wage for security analysts is $99,690, with the top ten percent earning more than $153,000.  There are a number of factors — specific job role, years of experience, industry sector and geographic location, for example — that influence individual salaries. The report notes that IT security employment rates are highest in Virginia, California, Texas, New York and Florida. On the other hand, if you’re looking for top earning power, then the District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Maine are the big winners. (Similarly, Global Knowledge’s 2018 IT Skills and Salary Report says that survey participants in the south and northwest earned lower salaries, and higher salaries were reported in the eastern states.)

The BLS report also indicates that the top five paying industries for IT security professionals are (1) Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers; (2) Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities; (3) Scientific Research and Development Services; (4) Utility System Construction; and (5) Legal Services. Please refer to the May 2017 BLS Occupational Employment and Wages to learn more about security job opportunities and salaries in your location and industry.

To provide typical salaries for some of the various Security+ job roles, I conducted a salary search on SimplyHired (a popular job board).  As noted above, many factors influence an individual’s salary, but the table below provides an example of what wages different security-related roles command.

How much does a help desk make?

 help desk pay

Help desk professionals manage customer service requests and address support tickets. Often, they also use specific software which, when used properly, can save time, effort, and money. Creating a help desk service consists of assessing your needs, training staff, and giving them tools to help them respond to customer concerns before the competition does.

We recommend Freshdesk for any small business that is looking for a help desk service. Freshdesk makes it easy for agents to organize and manage all customer tickets, and the system comes in different pricing tiers to meet the needs of most companies. Click the button below to get started with Freshdesk for free.

What Is a Help Desk?

In basic terms, a help desk is a central online hub where your customers can talk to customer support staff. It can be a physical desk but is more commonly a virtual space where your customers can reach out to you when they need help. Depending on the size of your company, a help desk can be staffed either by one individual employee or a specialized team dedicated specifically to support.

In some way, all companies have a help desk of sorts as part of their customer or account management system. If a customer has a problem with your product or service, they will probably call your organization to get the issue sorted out. A help desk management software solution is designed to make customer support easier thanks to ticket management, communications, automation, and other features.

How to Set Up Your Help Desk in 5 Steps

When setting up your own help desk operations, it is important to decide how you want to use your help desk. From there, you should identify any gaps between your goals and your current support operations. These five steps will give you the knowledge to map out a process that can adhere to at any level within your management structure so that your help desk can easily scale with your company’s growth.

Here are the five steps to take when setting up your help desk.

1. Decide What Support Your Desk will Deliver

Traditionally help or support desks are a place for receiving basic customer tickets and fixing customer issues as they’re reported. However, they can also serve a more strategic function by acting as a centralized location for managing customer service workflows, centralizing customer data, and building a self-service knowledge base.

Help desks can also be expanded to include company-wide service requests. This means the help desk assists both internal and external customers and can act as a central hub for a customer relationship management (CRM) process.

What is a good entry level salary?

  entry level it help desk salary

The average salary for entry-level positions in the United States is $40,153 per year. Though this is the average base salary, the numbers range from as low as $26,000 to as high as $56,000 for some geographical locations and entry-level positions.

When Anthony McCloud graduated from Graceland University in 2000, he didn't have a smidgen of business experience. He didn't know the first thing about business processes, customer service, or the quirks and habits of business workers.

Now he knows all that and much more. McCloud has spent the past seven years working in help desk-related roles at four companies, including stints for a high-tech equipment maker and a small restaurant chain.

The experience he has gained from learning about different businesses and "intermixing" with various types and levels of business workers has been priceless in terms of strengthening his communication and relationship skills, McCloud says.

India’s highest paying tech jobs and the skills that rake in the big bucks

"From my experience, being on an IT help desk has been a huge, huge opportunity," says McCloud, who was hired by Mac Equipment Inc. in Kansas City in June 2007. In addition to his role as the company's lone help desk technician, McCloud has also helped out as a server analyst and has done application development work in SQL, Visual C Sharp and PHP.

On the money front, McCloud doubled his salary when he first left a two-person business to take a help desk job at Mac Equipment, and since then, he has watched his compensation steadily increase at each subsequent position.

As McCloud and others are discovering, many help desks have evolved beyond their ticket-taking roots -- offering expanded opportunities for help desk employees (see "What's in it for you?" for details).

But that doesn't stop some IT professionals from hewing to the "old school" party line that says a career stop on the help desk is a one-way ticket to Palookaville.