advice

[soon2bemt]

I have just completed my EMT-B training as of last night-passed the final in the class. State practical exams are Saturday and I am quite nervous. I know if I did just fine on the final that I will more than likely do good on the state exams-but I was just looking for some advice.

Also, does anyone have any advice on how and where to look for jobs right out? I am just 18 years old and getting ready to graduate from high school-yes I did this while in high school-and it was tough. Anyway, if anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DT4EMS]

I have just completed my EMT-B training as of last night-passed the final in the class. State practical exams are Saturday and I am quite nervous. I know if I did just fine on the final that I will more than likely do good on the state exams-but I was just looking for some advice.

Also, does anyone have any advice on how and where to look for jobs right out? I am just 18 years old and getting ready to graduate from high school-yes I did this while in high school-and it was tough. Anyway, if anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

Advice for the test......

Get a good nights rest prior. Study ahead of time. Don't read too much into the questions. Eat a good breakfast before taking the test.

If you know your material you can do just fine.

As far as getting the first job..... sometimes it is a little easier to find a place to volunteer first. Get a little experience and it will be easier to get a job. UNder 25 is tough because of a lot of insurance companies. Good luck.

 

[Jon]

For the test - the big problem we've had - BRING A WATCH WITH A SECOND HAND. The state isn't going to like "I forgot my watch"

Other than that... knock 'em dead.

As for the job - try local transport Co's... they might only hire you as a Tech, you might not be able to drive... that was how my first job was... it was a real PITA, too (But when I looked at the drivers... most didn't mind working with me... at least I COULD do paperwork, lift, and treat the patient competently... something some of my co-workers had problems with). When I was in Louisana with my part-time employer "a Very large private Ambulance Co" - I amazed a lot of people because I was 20 and a driver... Most sites wouldn't let a 20-year-old drive. The big question is... does the 20 year old have 4 years experinece, EVOC, and a spotless driving record???

Jon

 

[soon2bemt]

Thanks guys.

I was thinking the same thing about being only 18 trying to find a job-not many people will want to hire and such.

 

[SwissEMT]

You're lucky. I had to wait over a month between the end of my class and my practical exam.

 

[RALS504]

You will do fine on the test.

As far as jobs I have a few suggestions/options.
1) Go work at a transport service, less glamourous than 911 calls but good patient contact.
2) Go work at a hospital in the Emergency Dept or where ever. Try to work at a hospital with an EMS.
3) Keep going to school- take your EMT-Intermediate and then maybe your paramedic or RN. If you want a degree go and get it. Education never hurt when applying for a job.

 

[soon2bemt]

Too bad Missouri doesn't recognize EMT-I. You can get it and work in Missouri but only as an EMT-B. So it's pointless for me to get it. But I'm thinking of medic school in a year probably. The service I am hoping to get hired to pays for paramedic school due to them wanting to become a complete ALS service. Anyway, thanks for the advice. Anymore will be more than welcome.

 

[soon2bemt]

testing today for my EMT B-REALLY NERVOUS

 

[Wingnut]

Breathe!!!

 

[soon2bemt]

Think I failed.....

 

[ffemt8978]

Think I failed.....

Why???

Something specific or just post exam nerves?

 

[soon2bemt]

Something specific. Skills went great----got what I wanted-cardiac arrest management/AED and traction splint. Anyway, I got trauma for my assessment. Pt. misjudged the depth of a swimming pool and dove in and struck her head on the bottom of the pool. Bystanders pulled her out and stated she had a positive LOC. Pt. was alert and oriented x 4 upon arrival and stated she was having no pain except for around the area of a bad laceration on the forehead-stated she couldn't feel her arms and legs-No pain anywhere else. No other major bleeds or anything. No DCAP-BTLS cept for the head lac. Anyway I got a C-collar on and onto a LSB and did great on the assessment-but when I asked for the baseline vitals which I had my partner take the B/P was 80/60 and I did not position for shock....I already had her on high flow oxgen when I did the assessment of the airway-but again I did not position for shock.

I talked to a friend of mine's husband who took the test last session JCAD had and said he forgot to position for shock as well but he passed because he covered his *** everywhere else-so I was like maybe I'll be okay-but It's nerving the :censored::censored::censored::censored: out of me.

So give me some input-I mean the worst that will happen is I will have to take it again but I really don't want to go through that again.

Have a good Mother's Day out there to all the mom's.

 

[ffemt8978]

I'd be leary of positioning for shock on this patient because of the possiblity of a head bleed. You definately want to treat for shock, but raising the feet above the head in this case may not be the best thing to do.

 

[Jon]

You will do fine on the test.

As far as jobs I have a few suggestions/options.
1) Go work at a transport service, less glamourous than 911 calls but good patient contact.
2) Go work at a hospital in the Emergency Dept or where ever. Try to work at a hospital with an EMS.
3) Keep going to school- take your EMT-Intermediate and then maybe your paramedic or RN. If you want a degree go and get it. Education never hurt when applying for a job.

I second the ideas for employment... Consider working transport... You'll get LOTS of experience in assessing patients and writing charts... both are good things to have LOTS of practice in.

 

[soon2bemt]

I'd be leary of positioning for shock on this patient because of the possiblity of a head bleed. You definately want to treat for shock, but raising the feet above the head in this case may not be the best thing to do.

That's what I was thinking-but you never know-those damn skill sheets say it's a critical fail if you don't find or manage problems associated with airway, breathing or hemorrhage/hypoperfusion. So it can go either way right now-just hope it will lean my way cuz I did good on everything else.

 

[JJR512]

When will you know if you passed or not?

 

[soon2bemt]

When will you know if you passed or not?

I will find out tomorrow after 1 p.m. if I passed or not. I was talking with some medics and emt's today who I have done my clinicals with and gave them the situation. They said they too would not elevate the foot end of the LSB with the head injury. I just hope state caught that's why I didn't do it.

 

[soon2bemt]

Not sure if I want to know or not.....kind of nervous-I have a strange feeling that I already know the inevitable. What would everyone do in the situation I was given on a trauma patient???

Thanks

 

[soon2bemt]

They still don't have the results in and may not until tomorrow. They usually get them in on the first business day after test. I'm pretty nervous.....but the emt that I have become pretty good friends with told me I probably didn't need to worry about it.

 

[Wingnut]

Your fine, we were taught that you never do trendelenburg with a head injury, or rather anything bleeding in/from the head or if there are signs or possibility of ICP. Check your text I'm sure it's in there.