What advice would you give to a newly certified EMT?
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NYMedic828
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That I should of gone to PA school instead :rofl:
In all honesty, everything.
An EMT class really doesn't teach much beyond general common sense and what someone felt the proper way to apply oversize bandaids was.
People who are actually considerable as competent medical providers as an EMT/paramedic reached that level by self improvement, experience and ambition.
Thankfully, just by being on this forum you are on the right track. This forum alone has taught me a great deal and I usually pick up atleast one new thing a day here.
The Internet and smartphones are also an invaluable resource. When you do a job, and there was something you didn't know, whether it be a medication or a disease or something anatomy related, immediately look it up afterwards. I find this to be a great way to learn.
In all honesty, everything.
An EMT class really doesn't teach much beyond general common sense and what someone felt the proper way to apply oversize bandaids was.
People who are actually considerable as competent medical providers as an EMT/paramedic reached that level by self improvement, experience and ambition.
Thankfully, just by being on this forum you are on the right track. This forum alone has taught me a great deal and I usually pick up atleast one new thing a day here.
The Internet and smartphones are also an invaluable resource. When you do a job, and there was something you didn't know, whether it be a medication or a disease or something anatomy related, immediately look it up afterwards. I find this to be a great way to learn.
I'm actually trying to get into PA school in the long run, I figured working as an EMT for a couple of years would be a good thing to add to my resume until that time comes.
Avoid "firehouse politics" at all costs and do your best to keep your head above water. I've known several good emts who were great on calls but lost their careers because they couldn't keep a professional attitude between calls.
Don't :censored::censored::censored::censored: your partner in the rig...or in the bunk room...or anywhere.
Learn to get along with everyone.
Only publicly judge your coworkers on their abilities as an EMT.
Don't put yourself in the position where the police are investigating you for releasing information on a pt to the media after you transport the mayor.
Don't :censored::censored::censored::censored: your partner in the rig...or in the bunk room...or anywhere.
Learn to get along with everyone.
Only publicly judge your coworkers on their abilities as an EMT.
Don't put yourself in the position where the police are investigating you for releasing information on a pt to the media after you transport the mayor.
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Seek out the good apples in your organisation and learn everything you can from them, especially the mistakes they have made on calls in the past and what they learned from them. Identify the traits they exhibit that make them good at their job and try to emulate them. Get comfortable talking to patients and doing a quality patient assessment/interview. If you see a medication or medical condition on a call that you are not familiar with, look it up or ask someone who has some years under their belt. Take pride in your patient reports and the care you provide. Make sure your patients are comfortable, little things like cold/hot packs and pillows go a long way! Finally, if you are unsure or don't know, ask for help.
EMT91
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Get a good physiology book. Ask doctors nurses emt Is medics things.
:beerchug:
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EpiEMS
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Ask anybody and everybody questions. More often than not, they're willing to teach.
medicman14
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Don't get sucked into the couch. Aka, keep learning - your patients deserve it...
One course per term, before you know it you've got some initials.
When you make a mistake, make sure the lesson is worthy of the price you paid.
In other words...some lessons are expensive, very expensive. Don't ignore the ones on sale...
Your patient had no choice in who arrives to care for them, make sure you are the best available - especially since you are the only one who can.
Last, and most importantly, keep showing up...
Be safe,
Medicman14
One course per term, before you know it you've got some initials.
When you make a mistake, make sure the lesson is worthy of the price you paid.
In other words...some lessons are expensive, very expensive. Don't ignore the ones on sale...
Your patient had no choice in who arrives to care for them, make sure you are the best available - especially since you are the only one who can.
Last, and most importantly, keep showing up...
Be safe,
Medicman14
MSDeltaFlt
RRT/NRP
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You don't save lives. The ones who fix the problems are the ones who save lives (those with MD or DO behind d their names). You do, however, begin the process.
Breathe. Flying off half cocked doesn't do anyone any good.
Slow down. The ambulance is not a Porche'. If your medic is hanging on the oh sh#t bar like a spider monkey, then he's not taking care of the pt. Drive it like you're driving on ice.
Slow down going to the call. Lights and sirens only ask others to merge right and only ask permission to cross on red. You're not going to save any time. The speed limit is fine even with lights.
Lift correctly. That means proper lifting techniques and lifting AS ONE UNIT. Technique is everything.
If you can't hear the blood pressure, say you can't. Don't lie.
Don't get an attitude. Leave your cape with your ego... at home.
You haven't "arrived" until your peers AND your superiors tell you that you Have arrived.
Heroes receive memorials... posthumously. Don't be one.
xrsm002
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I learned that patients with bradycardic heartbeats or irregular heartbeats you have to take a BP very slow if doing a manual. I don't have a problem telling my partners I can't hear a BP.
NYMedic828
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Considering the fact that the thuds you listen for when auscultating a BP are generated by the pressure wave sent forth with each heartbeat, that would make sense. 
crazychick
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Ask questions and go over scenarios continuously! as a newb, you really dont know much, so take it all in. You will find your groove but it does take time. Listen!!!!!!! Learn where stuff is. Every company is different!
PVC
Forum Crew Member
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Everything MSDeltaFit posted
Pee every chance you get.
Patients with a heart rate above 250 often don't have a palpable pulse.
O2 is not good for everyone.
EMTs save medics.
I don't really need all that crap hanging off my belt.
There is always more to learn.
If you show up at a MVC after 0200 and there isn't a drunk in the car, keep looking, there is a patient missing.
When your patient has priaprism, he is probably not happy to see you.
Helping others does not make us heroes.
We really don't save that many people.
Some others I can't remember and
Lesson number one; Don't get sucked into the adrenaline junkie BS. Stay away from the wackers and knuckle draggers that got into EMS "because chicks dig the uniform" "trauma is cool" or "the EMS discount Jo's BBQ". Run from those people. They will drag you down.
Stand up for yourself, just because some dude has been hanging around the station since he was 12 does not make him better than you. Odds are he knows less.
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firetender
Community Leader Emeritus
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Few people actually need O2 or spinal motion restriction
slow down.....driving.....assessments.....whatever. With time and experience you will become more comfortable and calls will become less stressful and easier to handle.
Never stop learning.
Eat when you can, pee when you can, and sleep when you can because you never know when you will get a call.
SSM sucks
New EMT's often say things like this and
Paramedics save lives and
treat the monitor not the pt.
facepalm
slow down.....driving.....assessments.....whatever. With time and experience you will become more comfortable and calls will become less stressful and easier to handle.
Never stop learning.
Eat when you can, pee when you can, and sleep when you can because you never know when you will get a call.
SSM sucks
New EMT's often say things like this and
Paramedics save lives and
treat the monitor not the pt.
facepalm
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Slow down and think before you do, and make sure you have a reason for everything you do that's something more than protocol.
Also remember the big picture. You are part of a team, from the CNA at the nursing home that you thumb your nose at to the emergency room doc that you are terrified of. All of you are playing for the same reason, to benefit the patient. Everyone plays a distinct role, some more important in the long run than the others, but nonetheless everyone contributes in a unique and needed way. No one saves anyone. Work together with everyone you meet. Try and learn from everyone you meet, and if the opportunity presents itself, educate those that you meet. Without continuing to improve our knowledge we are nothing. Don't forget it.
Also remember the big picture. You are part of a team, from the CNA at the nursing home that you thumb your nose at to the emergency room doc that you are terrified of. All of you are playing for the same reason, to benefit the patient. Everyone plays a distinct role, some more important in the long run than the others, but nonetheless everyone contributes in a unique and needed way. No one saves anyone. Work together with everyone you meet. Try and learn from everyone you meet, and if the opportunity presents itself, educate those that you meet. Without continuing to improve our knowledge we are nothing. Don't forget it.
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Took the words right out of my mouth.
Believe it or not Paramedics were EMTs once... :unsure:
PVC
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Unless, of course. the Original Poster is Harmony Rose!
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