Paramedic Clinicals

[JoeSchmo]

Hey all... I am about to embark on first round of clinicals for my paramedic program. I have to do ER, OR, PACU, and Day Surgery.
I have been through the ER with my EMT clinicals so i bascially know what to expect there.
But can anyone lay out what all we do and what I can expect to do while on the OR, PACU, and Day Surgery shifts??

Thanks!!

 

[NomadicMedic]

If it's like any other clinical, in the OR and Day Surgery rotation, you'll start lines, administer meds and intubate patients. It's a great experience. If you have the opportunity, pick the brains of the all of the docs. Most that I've met like to teach, and if you ask intelligent questions, they're more likely to let you do more. For example, I spent a lot of time with one anesthesiologist who showed me several tricks on evaluating difficult airways. She let me intubate patients that she said she would never let another student near. We also talked at length about induction drugs. A great learning experience. Don't just go and hang out “waiting for tubes”. Be proactive in your learning.

I don't know about your PACU rotation, as we didn't do one. I would assume you'll be helping monitor patients.