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VirginiaEMT

VirginiaEMT

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As a new EMT-B I am looking for suggestions for books that would be good for me to read, taking into consideration that I just recently tested out of the EMT-B class.

I was thinking about going ahead and buying the EMT-E textbook, not sure which one, but figured I would ask and see if you could recommend a book that is designed to make me a better BLS provider.
 
Take an A&P I and II class w/ cadaver labs
 
jtpaintball70 said:
Take an A&P I and II class w/ cadaver labs
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Bingo. A pharmacology class would be a good idea. These might count towards an associate's degree in paramedicine at your local community college. The "card courses" (PHTLS, AMLS, etc) tend to be geared towards ALS providers.
 
I guess it would be important to know my situation. I am a 46 year old insurance agent who volunteers at a 5500 calls per year agency. I have no intentions of making EMS my career as I hope to be retired in 12 more years.

With that said, I would like to be the absolute best EMT-B that I can be, to run as an AIC on BLS calls, but to also be very helpful to the medics that I run with when we are in the back of an ambulance, like setting up I.V.'s, running 12 leads, inserting King airways, defib, etc, I guess things that will make to medics skills more effective and the outcome positive.

I did very well in my EMT-B class but I need to learn the things that are not taught there that will make me a better, very good, EMT-B.

I will probably take the EMT-E and EMT-I eventually, but for right now, I need to learn to be effective at what I am licensed to do.
 
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As said, A&P. You can not be effective at medicine, If you do not understand the human body.
 
Hal9000 said:
Yes, and a good medical terminology course, if you haven't taken one.
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I disagree with medical terminology.

It is utterly a waste of time and money.

Medicine is a language, like any language, reading a list of terms out of a book imparts neither understanding nor the ability to speak properly.

Might as well just read the words in the glossary of an EMT text, it is basically the same thing.
 
Veneficus said:
I disagree with medical terminology.

It is utterly a waste of time and money.

Medicine is a language, like any language, reading a list of terms out of a book imparts neither understanding nor the ability to speak properly.

Might as well just read the words in the glossary of an EMT text, it is basically the same thing.
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While it might not have helped you, it helped me a good deal. But I got out of it that which I put in, which was reading and understanding the entire book, from the simple stuff to following up on some of the described procedures.

I've had many situations where I understood certain procedures due to the material I learned from my Med Term class; they weren't covered in A&P.

Furthermore, my EMT glossary had nowhere near the terminology of my med term book; it didn't even include such things as prn. I think you're giving EMT texts too much credit.

I will say that you could just buy the med term book and study it yourself without taking the credits, which you can't do with, say, a cadaver lab...unless you're suspiciously creative.

In any case, when I only had EMT training, having a medical terminology book was enlightening. While it's no cachet of a great provider or a competent person, it has also been the deciding factor in securing some non-field jobs.
 
Would these be things that are taught in an NREMT-B cirriculum? Any suggestion on books, maybe some that you have used?
 
DIY Anatomy:
Netters Anatomy Atlas:
http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Human-Anatomy-Student-Consult/dp/1416059512/ref=pd_sim_b_5

followed by:

Rohan's Color Atlas of Anatomy ("dead body book")
http://www.amazon.com/Color-Atlas-A...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275774384&sr=8-1

Throw in an Anatomy text if you'd like as well. I suggest Netters followed by Rohan since Netters is an idealized text while Rohan is comprised of cadaver pictures, and thus is a bit harder to read.

DIY basic sciences (immunology, etc): Lippencott's Illustrated Review

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...ooks&hvadid=1104401441&ref=pd_sl_7yu69lul6l_b

Psych: The Man who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales
http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Mistook-His-Wife/dp/0684853949


Of course if you have money and free time to burn, there's always the Holy Grail of path books, "Big Robbins" pathology.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/14..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Q9TNW1J68K2B2WXS38M
 
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VirginiaEMT said:
Would these be things that are taught in an NREMT-B cirriculum? Any suggestion on books, maybe some that you have used?
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Many years ago, there was a book called the 60-second EMT. I got a long way reading that book, it covers differential thought processes, helps you to know how to guide the patient through explaining their complaint.

EMT-Bs are somewhat limited in what they can do. In my experience, the best ones make up for that by sharpening their assessment skills. When you progress to E and I, you'll find that assessment skills are essential.

Do you practice as an AIC, or just ride with medics?
 
abckidsmom said:
Many years ago, there was a book called the 60-second EMT. I got a long way reading that book, it covers differential thought processes, helps you to know how to guide the patient through explaining their complaint.

EMT-Bs are somewhat limited in what they can do. In my experience, the best ones make up for that by sharpening their assessment skills. When you progress to E and I, you'll find that assessment skills are essential.

Do you practice as an AIC, or just ride with medics?
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I just tested out of EMT-B just a couple of weeks ago. I do not run as an AIC because I am not released to do so, but I will at some point. I know that I'm not ready, and I am in no hurry to do it. However, most medics will allow me to act as AIC, under their watchful eye of course, so that I will be used to it and they can critique what I do.

I am told by the medics that I run with, that assessment is one of my strong points, as well as hearing it from my EMT instructor. I definitely want to get my E and I at some point, but again, I want my foundation to be sound.

I found this website that looks interesting, and the instructor is from Northern Virginia Community College, which is a big paramedic school. I may check that out as well. It is www.mrfordsclass.net/
 
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Guys, what is AIC?
 
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