I think you will really enjoy this job. It would be nice if they provided a job outline with a detailed checkoff sheet. Our drivers for the NICU/PICU specialty teams know exactly from a written job description and a detailed list of expected responsibilities what they can do. The list and job description are made carefully within the quidelines of the state scope of practice for the EMT-B. There are some things that are allowed to be expanded and some things that they must be careful not to cross the line of what only certain licensed persons can do. Our specialty teams must keep accurate records of training/competencies on each team member in accordance to their job description for the various inspections hospitals based teams must endure. The same goes for the CCT RNs in the adult world.
It doesn't really matter for us how much experience the EMT-B has because a NICU/PICU specialty team operates with a very different set of protocols and with very specialized equipment. Safe transport is key and they rarely if ever run L/S. We do want them to meet the minimum safe driving requirements to satisfy the insurance company. The interview will give us a clue if you are motivated to learn the other responsibilities. The specialty teams don't have paramedics and if they are hired as a driver, they function with the same job description as the EMT-B/EVO.
The EMT-B can assemble all equipment such as the isolette, intubation equipment, ventilator and arrange the IV pumps. But, they can not touch any meds or do the actual settings on the ventilator or IVs pumps. They are trained on how the pumps and ventilator function for cleaning. They also can run through the tightness check sequence on the ventilator as part of their job description requires when it is not on a patient. They are then trained to anticipate every move the team makes. Since these teams are very experienced and have been established for well over 3 decades, they will train their EMT-B driver to the responsibilities of the check off sheet in a few days of orientation both inhouse and with another driver.
As for you, JJR512, learning more about different processes, procedures and whatever else, that is excellent as long as it doesn't interfere with the flow of the team work or you try to change their ways. You will find from observing and learning from each team member that they all may have been taught something slightly different in the way to do things especially if the paramedics are working in a 911 service also. You may notice the biggest difference between the Paramedics and RNs in the infection control practices since the RNs are hospital trained. Those issues have been stressed to us in our specialty team training since the beginning of time and have been revamped to a new level again in recent times.
One of the reasons the EVO position is so appealing to some EMTs is the hospital will work with their scheduling for college classes. We don't expect our drivers to make it a career of just driving for us and prefer those who have some motivation for education to continue on to some other position within the hospital. You have the opportunity to be exposed to many occupations and not just nursing or paramedic which seems to be tunnel visioned as the "next" career move for the EMT-B. Many of our "drivers" have gone on to be RNs, RRTs, PAs, Surgical Assistants, HBO technicians, MBAs or CPAs in the offices, and MDs.
Check the bulletin boards at the teaching hospital and slide into any lecture that catches your eye. Even if you don't understand all of it, it will give you an opportunity to see have much there is to the world of medicine and the people involved. That is truly the greatest advantage of working for a large teaching facility. I'm sure they also have an excellent medical library on the campus. Usually the computers in the teaching hospitals are linked to the library. I considered our medical library my temple during college and went there to worship the knowledge frequently. I now utilize its resources by the internet but still feel more inspired when I am actually in the library building.
