I thought the trolling was initially funny, but it probably would have been better if the trolling stopped after he caught on to it.
Lets start with some simple questions.
What steps does it take to become a flight medic? Are there any specific experience and/or training that employers request?
What are some pros and cons to working as a flight medic?
Do you get less calls and have to worry about skill deterioration?
Do you get a lot of interfacility transfers?
What steps does it take to become a flight medic? Are there any specific experience and/or training that employers request?
My service required multiple things. Here are a couple of the big ones:
- Receiving your paramedic training through an Accredited Paramedic Training Program and having your National Registry Certification.
- Minimum of three years experience in a high call volume 911 service. (Usually looking for more then that in candidates).
- Certifications in Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support; Pediatric Advanced Life Support; Advanced Trauma Life Support course audit and Neonatal Resuscitation Program. There are several other advanced classes and programs they send your through soon after being hired.
- They require you have your FP-C within two years of hire. Very few services require that before hand as flight experience will help a lot with obtaining it. It wouldn't hurt to get your CCP prior to hire tho.
What are some pros and cons to working as a flight medic?
Pros:
- Overall increase in knowledge and skills.
- Care for critically ill and injured.
- Introduction to aviation.
Cons:
- Usually less call volume then ground 911 system.
- A lot of studying and learning on your own. You need to be able to self study in order to become a successful flight medic.
- Hazardous job.
Do you get less calls and have to worry about skill deterioration?
I do get less calls then the 911 service I worked at. Would average 6-10 calls/12hr shift on the streets. Average 1-2 call/shift in the air. This is completely service dependent tho.
As for the skills, I feel more comfortable with them here then when I was on the ground. The air service I work for is hospital based. We are able to assist in the ED, ICU, CCU, PICU, NICU on our down time. My service also has quarterly competency requirements. Again, this will be service dependent.
Do you get a lot of interfacility transfers?
We operate rotor wing and fixed wing services where I work. There are a lot of interfacility transfers. Most of the transfers are from lower level hospitals to higher level hospitals. So even though it is considered a transfer, it tends to run more like a 911 call. This is due to the lower level hospitals not having the capabilities and skills the patient may require. We bring the ICU to them.
