Ways to stay on top of your skills

[rhan101277]

I have a PT job as a basic. Right now I am only working maybe 3 or 4 days a month. I hope to get more soon. I am concerned about forgetting stuff, so I go over my school book and anatomy stuff on the weekends. I re-take old tests just to see if I can still remember. I seem to go good on all of it, guess I just need to try to go volunteer somewhere.

 

[spisco85]

I work 32 hours a week as an EMT and still look over old tests, and anatomy stuff. I also volunteer in my hometown as an EMT. I definatly recommend vollying if you can even if you only get 1-2 extra calls a week.

 

[medic417]

Please do not take this as rude but at the basic level it is simple to recall.

Should it be breathing? If yes is it. If not fix it.

Should that red stuff be pouring out? No, cover it. Stop it.

Should the leg be facing that way? No. Splint it.

If a wreck or fall backboard and c-collar.

Is ALS available? Request them as at the basic level you do not have enough education to decide if they are not needed.

Again please do not take offense. I am just trying to remind you how little to recall you have as a basic.

 

[jochi1543]

I think one of the best ways would be to read scenarios/stories of real-life calls on here and similar forums and then ask yourself what you would do in that situation. If you are not sure, research; if you see someone talk about an unfamiliar way of approaching the situation or treating that condition, research that, as well.

 

[Summit]

Do skill drills with your partners.

Start taking the following classes:
PHTLS
PEPP
Bio I&II
A&P I&II
Pathophysiology
Microbiology
Human Nutrition
Medical Terminology
Pharmacology

 

[VentMedic]

Double the post from Summit.

Go forward now and learn why you do the skills as an EMT-B. That will make the application easier to remember if you understand the reasoning behind it. This is especially important for all the assessment alphabet you learned. Memorizing and re-memorizing what EMT class taught you will be of little use for the future without the knowledge associated the mnemonic letters.

 

[Scout]

Medic,

a doc may say the same thing about ambulance drivers.

when you start suffering the effect of altitude sickness we'll get a basic to look after you

 

[Shishkabob]

Request them as at the basic level you do not have enough education to decide if they are not needed.

Really? You serious?





Anyhow, I'm in the same position as you. I just read my book from time to time and check out CE's and this and other EMT websites.

 

[firecoins]

a doc may say the same thing about ambulance drivers.

when you start suffering the effect of altitude sickness we'll get a basic to look after you

a doc does say those things about medics and they would be right. If a medic suffers from altitude sickness, put them on oxygen, check for an ALS intercept and take them to the hospital. Let the RNs and MDs look after.

 

[medic417]

Really? You serious?.

Basics do not recieve enough education to rule anything in or out. They do not have the medical education to decide what needs ALS. When I was a basic I took many patients to the hospital that after I got my education I look back on and go thank goodness I was lucky and they made it. If anyone claims otherwise after they get an education they either went to a lousy Paramedic program or they are liars.

 

[Shishkabob]

So we can't discern between a broken finger and an MI?



Now, I'm not saying we know everything, but dang, be realistic. I'm pretty sure most basics know what is and is not within our realm of abilities.

 

[VentMedic]

Basics do not recieve enough education to rule anything in or out. They do not have the medical education to decide what needs ALS. When I was a basic I took many patients to the hospital that after I got my education I look back on and go thank goodness I was lucky and they made it. If anyone claims otherwise after they get an education they either went to a lousy Paramedic program or they are liars.

That is so true. I was not an EMT-B for very long but I do think back to how I could have done more for some of the patients I saw if I had been a Paramedic. Being good at CPR is even better when you have drugs to accompany the shocks an AED provides. Being able to establish a definitive airway when needed feels pretty good also. The patient probably feels a little better if I can ease their pain and anxiety with meds.

Hopefully when Scout and Linuss continue their education, they'll see our remarks are not from a "Paragod" attitude but rather one that supports education and the advancement of medicine in this profession.

 

[Ridryder911]

So we can't discern between a broken finger and an MI?



Now, I'm not saying we know everything, but dang, be realistic. I'm pretty sure most basics know what is and is not within our realm of abilities.

Wanta bet? Basic first aid is just above first aid.

R/r 911

 

[medic417]

So we can't discern between a broken finger and an MI?



Now, I'm not saying we know everything, but dang, be realistic. I'm pretty sure most basics know what is and is not within our realm of abilities.

Yes I am saying that. Plus what can you do for relief of either example nothing. Both need ALS to get relief.

 

[Shishkabob]

Hopefully when Scout and Linuss continue their education, they'll see our remarks are not from a "Paragod" attitude but rather one that supports education and the advancement of medicine in this profession.

I'm sorry you mistake my comments for ignorance, but you are as incorrect as his statement. I'm all for more education, which is why I've been considering a career change into paramedicine via a degree.


There are plenty of times ALS is not needed, let alone warranted. I'd rather the basics handle the basic calls, and ALS handle the advanced calls.

What a novel idea, ehh?

 

[medic417]

Hopefully when Scout and Linuss continue their education, they'll see our remarks are not from a "Paragod" attitude but rather one that supports education and the advancement of medicine in this profession.

Hopefully all basics will. I'm sure I was the same way in my many years as a basic. But the more I learn the more I realize I don't know.

 

[firecoins]

I'm sorry you mistake my comments for ignorance, but you are as incorrect as his statement.


There are plenty of times ALS is not needed, let alone warranted. I'd rather the basics handle the basic calls, and ALS handle the advanced calls.

What a novel idea, ehh?

I both agree with you and disagree. As an EMT-B I was able to through experience which was nonsense verusus which was serious. However I did not understand the scope of practise of a medic. Alot of the nonsense did deserve a look at by medics.

 

[medic417]

I'm sorry you mistake my comments for ignorance, but you are as incorrect as his statement.


There are plenty of times ALS is not needed, let alone warranted. I'd rather the basics handle the basic calls, and ALS handle the advanced calls.

What a novel idea, ehh?

Bad idea. ALS should be the minimum of care for all 911 calls. There are to many factors involved so why waste money sending both, just send ALS only. Makes more sense don't. Novel idea to provide the best response possible to everyone.

 

[Shishkabob]

I both agree with you and disagree. As an EMT-B I was able to through experience which was nonsense verusus which was serious. However I did not understand the scope of practise of a medic. Alot of the nonsense did deserve a look at by medics.

Oh I don't deny that there have been, are, and will always be gray areas and differing circumstances, but I honestly don't see the point of wasting an ALS unit to a broken arm call if it was a slip down the stairs on water, and no underlying medical conditions such as syncope or low blood sugar.

Sure, pain meds, but honestly, been there done that, and while the pain blows, it's tolerable. Then again, that's just my ill-conceived opinion.

 

[VentMedic]

I'm sorry you mistake my comments for ignorance, but you are as incorrect as his statement.


There are plenty of times ALS is not needed, let alone warranted. I'd rather the basics handle the basic calls, and ALS handle the advanced calls.

What a novel idea, ehh?

So what part of my statement do you have a problem with?

The supporting of education?

The advancement of medicine?

Do you honestly have no intention on advancing past EMT-B?

Forget patient care for the moment, but have you, yourself, set your goals as a healthcare provider so low that you must argue for the EMT-B to remain as such a low standard for education?

Part of determining whether a patient is ALS or BLS is the assessment. Do you realize many do not realize how sick their patients are until they are enroute to the hospital or on arrival to the ED? That is not a good standard of care nor is wasting time getting an ALS intercept. Luckily ALS is now providing a large part of 911 service. Or, at least Florida is now an all ALS state for 911.

Yes, there is a place for EMT-Bs but not in 911 unless paired with a Paramedic.