The OUSD Alumni Highway to Work: ER Tech Program recently graduated 10 participants who have gained the knowledge and skills necessary to fill a critical role in health care. Emergency room technicians (ER Techs) provide immediate care to patients entering the emergency room. They take blood pressure, draw blood, support codes (near-death medical emergencies), assist with cuts and wounds, provide splints for fractures, and are often a key point of contact in keeping patients’ families updated on the status of their loved ones. They serve as a vital part of the healthcare team. The ER Tech Program provides an accessible opportunity for young people to gain invaluable experience that can serve as a step toward becoming a nurse, physician assistant, or physician.
ER techs are distinct from emergency medical technicians (EMTs). EMTs treat patients outside of hospitals and in ambulances for short periods. They are first responders who work with paramedics, police officers, and firefighters. ER Techs work alongside nurses and doctors in the emergency room setting for extended periods. They often earn higher entry-level pay, especially when their training includes certification in phlebotomy.
Since 2022, the OUSD Alumni Highway to Work: ER Tech Program, a partnership between UCSF (Parnassus Emergency Room, Mission Bay Emergency Room, Center for Science, Education, and Outreach), Alameda Health Systems (Highland Emergency Department, HealthPath), Bay Area Medical Academy (BAMA), and the Oakland Unified School District has been training high school graduates who are not immediately attending a 4-year college, through a 10-week program that includes the hands-on experience of 20 supervised shifts in a hospital setting. After completing their training, they are eligible to be hired at UCSF and need only an EMT or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license to then be eligible for hire at Alameda Health System.
By the time he was a senior in high school, Victor C. knew he wanted to be a nurse. But he knew he would need to improve his ability to communicate with patients confidently and effectively if he wanted to be successful in his career. While participating in the ER Tech program, he not only received the support he needed from preceptors to improve his communication skills, he also practiced the technical skills and critical thinking necessary for all health care professionals. “I got more than [I could have hoped for] from the program,” said Victor C. “What made the program unique was that you are a high school graduate doing real work in an emergency department. I cannot name another program where you can showcase your personal growth and skills directly in front of hiring managers in this capacity.”
The OUSD Alumni Highway to Work: ER Tech Program aligns with UCSF Anchor Institution Mission, which aims to provide workforce development programming and employment pipelines to promote economic equity for under-resourced San Francisco Bay Area populations. As part of its workforce development strategy, UCSF Anchor Institution Mission currently builds and supports 8-10 unique training opportunities for jobs in healthcare and various administrative roles, many of which include externships and require only a high school diploma or equivalent.
The program is one of several programs led by Dr. Emily Frank that aim to diversify the healthcare workforce. As both a pediatrician and a high school health teacher, Dr. Frank sees the first-hand impact of a healthcare workforce that can feel impossible for even the brightest and most capable students to access. “This program helps lower a barrier to entry into healthcare,” says Program Director Emily Frank. “These opportunities for valuable, paid work experience in the healthcare field not only serve to prepare graduates for more advanced training and education, but they also help bridge the gap for the many young people who need to earn income before entering a 4-year college or university.”
To date, OUSD Alumni Highway to Work: ER Tech Program has graduated 26 participants. All ten students in the most recent cohort have completed the training and are eligible to be hired at UCSF. Nine of the ten students who completed the program in 2024 have passed the National Phlebotomy Certification Testing exam and will soon be licensed phlebotomists. Five program participants are currently employed at Mission Bay and Parnassus.
After completing the program in 2022, Victor C. continued to receive mentorship and support, leading to additional certifications, in EKG and phlebotomy. “Because I had a working relationship with the people in the emergency department, I was able to get [about an] additional 100 hours in EKG training at Parnassus.", he says. At a local community college, Victor completed the general education requirements and prerequisites for nursing school, saving on the cost of education before moving on to a 4-year university. He is currently enrolled at San Francisco State University as a 3rd year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student. After graduation, he hopes to work as a critical care nurse at UCSF Health, where he completed his ER tech training.
