Online Bachelor's Degree for Paramedics
12 years ago
Friday, April 4, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Ride Time Survival
It's always humbling to hear what others think of you. I received this email from a former coworker who ran a medic program. Some of the students wrote down their tips for success during their ride time with us. I abbreviated the contributors names.
Tips for riders:
Always be early to your shift. Always. 15-30 minutes is ideal.
Make sure the beginning of your shift corresponds to the shift change of the crew you're riding with. Adjust your start time to accommodate this. Otherwise, you can expect to wait for anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 1/2 hours for your crew to have time to swing by and pick you up. It's just a call volume issue, and it's worth avoiding if you can flex your schedule.
Take time to familiarize yourself with the layout of the jumpkit and cabinets. Also familiarize yourself with their model EKG machine, if not already familiar. The more quickly you can locate equipment when asked, the more confident and competent you appear. This translates into more skills and better rapport with your crew.
Solicit feedback and debrief between calls. It's a good time to ask any questions you have, and also to find out how you're doing.
Different crews will vary in their style and attitude. Be open to learning different methods for your skills, whether it's securing an IV, selecting a laryngoscope blade, or anything else.
Volunteer to help with the mundane chores before you are asked. Better yet, once you know where the linen's kept, just start making the stretcher, cleaning the patient compartment, etc. Anything you see that needs doing...do it.
Attitude is everything. Appreciate the opportunity you've been given. This is a high-volume service staffed by skilled medics. Keep your eyes peeled, ears open, and mouth shut and you are guaranteed to learn a lot.
Have a great time!
DF
Subject: WEMS ride-time survival guide
1. Know your shit.
2. Refer to number 1.
3. Show up early (1/2 hour or so).
4. Get some sleep prior to shift (esp. night shift).
5. Refer to number 1.
6. Know your drug dosages...cold.
7. Don't second-guess yourself.
8. Listen. Listen. Listen.
9. Bring food (you'll save money) and a flashlight (esp. for night shifts).
10. Work with Ed Fowler at least once but only if you have number 1.
11. Leave the attitude at home. Remember, anything you've done, they've done at least twice that week.
12. You don't know it all (which is why you’re doing ride time).
13. If you already have your tube, you ain't gettin' another one: so deal.
14. When you have to pee, or other, let them know or you won't go.
15. Be confident and assertive, but not too assertive.
16. Help to clean the truck PRIOR to doing your paperwork.
17. Seek out criticism.
18. Remember they are street medics, not "cookbook" medics. They may not always follow the book exactly as you read it.
Optional advice
A. Learn a foreign language.
B. Only participate in personal banter if you are invited.
C. Do not tell your stories. They're boring.
D. Refer to number 1.
JK& BT
Words of Wisdom for WEMS......
As previously stated "Know your shit!"
Know everything there is to know about your drugs, when to give them, how much and when not to give them.
Don't be afraid to lift; patients, equipment, stair chair, etc. A little sweat equity goes a long way. Once you're a medic you'll need to do it, might as well start now and give them a good impression.
Learn where the linen is kept and change the cot! Clean up the back of the rigs after a call and help restock supplies.
Jump in and assist with truck check prior to the shift.
Running a mop, brush or hose is not beneath you. Help wash the trucks!
Be confident and aggressive, but don't be arrogant; know your place. Most of these medics see more in one year than you'll see in your career. Respect them, and listen to what they have to say.
IM Narcan, get ready to push a lot of it. One of the best things I got out of Worcester.....
Be safe, learn and have fun!
MP
My Advice:
----------------
- Show up early
- Carry snacks with you
- If you can find a preceptor that intimidates you, ride with that person as much as possible.
- Ride with Tim and Pete at least once when they work together.
- Do a balance of night and day shifts. If you do, you will see two different worlds of EMS (both in styles of medics and types of calls)
- Talk to each medic the first time you work with him/her and find out what they expect
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. You're a student, which is why you are there.
JC
Hey T,
I found these things important while riding at WEMS,
-Schedule as many shifts as you can, you will only get this chance once.
-Early is Key, they like to get the off going crew out on time and they make up for it at the beginning of the shift.
-Look the part, clean uniform, clean-shaven, this is a PROFESSION so look and act PROFESSIONAL!
-CHECK OUT THE TRUCK, they know the truck and you need to.
-Pay no attention to what you are dispatched to; another crew is going to jump it.
-Be prepared to work fast, walking and talking is a must.
-All skills are done on the way to the hospital, so do as much of your assessment as you can while taking the patient to the truck.
-Remember to take people to the hospital and do what you can for them along the way; the back of the truck is NOT the best place for your patient.
-KNOW YOUR DRUGS......COLD. Know what they are, when to give them, how much to give them, how to give them, the effects that are desired, when not to give them, what they interact with, know why your giving it,...........KNOW IT.
-Know why you want to do something, whatever it is and then know why you don't want to do something whatever it is.
-Answer the questions you are asked.
-If you don't know, say " I DON'T KNOW" then don't ask for the answer, look it up and report back later, you'll get more out of it that way.
-You are there to learn, they aren't there to teach you but they will if you show them you want to learn. Be sure to learn from the patient whatever they have to teach you. If you don't learn from each call you are missing something.
-Ask questions, but not about war stories.
-It's about the patient not the skill, don't worry you'll get tons of both.
-Then it's about the next patient, move quickly you are in service even if you have to clean up on the way to the next call.
-RESPECT the Profession, the Professionals you are riding with and the Patient
-Get as much sleep as you can before your shift, assuming you can sleep.
-Eat what you can when you can, hypoglycemic headaches don't make anything easier.
-Keep up with your documentation; ask for signatures at the end of you shift. Clean the truck before you ask for signatures though.
-Thank your preceptors, each of them, each time you ride with them. Show your appreciation somehow, be creative.
-This will be the only time in your career when you'll have 2 experienced paramedics working with you, try to take it all in.
-This isn't supposed to be fun, but it will be if you do it right.
Just some friendly advice from a guy who was right where you are going to be.
Thanks,
JM
Tips for riders:
Always be early to your shift. Always. 15-30 minutes is ideal.
Make sure the beginning of your shift corresponds to the shift change of the crew you're riding with. Adjust your start time to accommodate this. Otherwise, you can expect to wait for anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 1/2 hours for your crew to have time to swing by and pick you up. It's just a call volume issue, and it's worth avoiding if you can flex your schedule.
Take time to familiarize yourself with the layout of the jumpkit and cabinets. Also familiarize yourself with their model EKG machine, if not already familiar. The more quickly you can locate equipment when asked, the more confident and competent you appear. This translates into more skills and better rapport with your crew.
Solicit feedback and debrief between calls. It's a good time to ask any questions you have, and also to find out how you're doing.
Different crews will vary in their style and attitude. Be open to learning different methods for your skills, whether it's securing an IV, selecting a laryngoscope blade, or anything else.
Volunteer to help with the mundane chores before you are asked. Better yet, once you know where the linen's kept, just start making the stretcher, cleaning the patient compartment, etc. Anything you see that needs doing...do it.
Attitude is everything. Appreciate the opportunity you've been given. This is a high-volume service staffed by skilled medics. Keep your eyes peeled, ears open, and mouth shut and you are guaranteed to learn a lot.
Have a great time!
DF
Subject: WEMS ride-time survival guide
1. Know your shit.
2. Refer to number 1.
3. Show up early (1/2 hour or so).
4. Get some sleep prior to shift (esp. night shift).
5. Refer to number 1.
6. Know your drug dosages...cold.
7. Don't second-guess yourself.
8. Listen. Listen. Listen.
9. Bring food (you'll save money) and a flashlight (esp. for night shifts).
10. Work with Ed Fowler at least once but only if you have number 1.
11. Leave the attitude at home. Remember, anything you've done, they've done at least twice that week.
12. You don't know it all (which is why you’re doing ride time).
13. If you already have your tube, you ain't gettin' another one: so deal.
14. When you have to pee, or other, let them know or you won't go.
15. Be confident and assertive, but not too assertive.
16. Help to clean the truck PRIOR to doing your paperwork.
17. Seek out criticism.
18. Remember they are street medics, not "cookbook" medics. They may not always follow the book exactly as you read it.
Optional advice
A. Learn a foreign language.
B. Only participate in personal banter if you are invited.
C. Do not tell your stories. They're boring.
D. Refer to number 1.
JK& BT
Words of Wisdom for WEMS......
As previously stated "Know your shit!"
Know everything there is to know about your drugs, when to give them, how much and when not to give them.
Don't be afraid to lift; patients, equipment, stair chair, etc. A little sweat equity goes a long way. Once you're a medic you'll need to do it, might as well start now and give them a good impression.
Learn where the linen is kept and change the cot! Clean up the back of the rigs after a call and help restock supplies.
Jump in and assist with truck check prior to the shift.
Running a mop, brush or hose is not beneath you. Help wash the trucks!
Be confident and aggressive, but don't be arrogant; know your place. Most of these medics see more in one year than you'll see in your career. Respect them, and listen to what they have to say.
IM Narcan, get ready to push a lot of it. One of the best things I got out of Worcester.....
Be safe, learn and have fun!
MP
My Advice:
----------------
- Show up early
- Carry snacks with you
- If you can find a preceptor that intimidates you, ride with that person as much as possible.
- Ride with Tim and Pete at least once when they work together.
- Do a balance of night and day shifts. If you do, you will see two different worlds of EMS (both in styles of medics and types of calls)
- Talk to each medic the first time you work with him/her and find out what they expect
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. You're a student, which is why you are there.
JC
Hey T,
I found these things important while riding at WEMS,
-Schedule as many shifts as you can, you will only get this chance once.
-Early is Key, they like to get the off going crew out on time and they make up for it at the beginning of the shift.
-Look the part, clean uniform, clean-shaven, this is a PROFESSION so look and act PROFESSIONAL!
-CHECK OUT THE TRUCK, they know the truck and you need to.
-Pay no attention to what you are dispatched to; another crew is going to jump it.
-Be prepared to work fast, walking and talking is a must.
-All skills are done on the way to the hospital, so do as much of your assessment as you can while taking the patient to the truck.
-Remember to take people to the hospital and do what you can for them along the way; the back of the truck is NOT the best place for your patient.
-KNOW YOUR DRUGS......COLD. Know what they are, when to give them, how much to give them, how to give them, the effects that are desired, when not to give them, what they interact with, know why your giving it,...........KNOW IT.
-Know why you want to do something, whatever it is and then know why you don't want to do something whatever it is.
-Answer the questions you are asked.
-If you don't know, say " I DON'T KNOW" then don't ask for the answer, look it up and report back later, you'll get more out of it that way.
-You are there to learn, they aren't there to teach you but they will if you show them you want to learn. Be sure to learn from the patient whatever they have to teach you. If you don't learn from each call you are missing something.
-Ask questions, but not about war stories.
-It's about the patient not the skill, don't worry you'll get tons of both.
-Then it's about the next patient, move quickly you are in service even if you have to clean up on the way to the next call.
-RESPECT the Profession, the Professionals you are riding with and the Patient
-Get as much sleep as you can before your shift, assuming you can sleep.
-Eat what you can when you can, hypoglycemic headaches don't make anything easier.
-Keep up with your documentation; ask for signatures at the end of you shift. Clean the truck before you ask for signatures though.
-Thank your preceptors, each of them, each time you ride with them. Show your appreciation somehow, be creative.
-This will be the only time in your career when you'll have 2 experienced paramedics working with you, try to take it all in.
-This isn't supposed to be fun, but it will be if you do it right.
Just some friendly advice from a guy who was right where you are going to be.
Thanks,
JM
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