EMS Heads ups?

[EMT Fan15]

Originally Posted by rcar23

Oh you guys crack me up...How is a TB test performed...a needle...HAHAHA...that made my night. Cynthia, a TB skin test is done, yes, with a needle, but just under the first layers of skin...it's easy. Don't worry about it.

Okay, thank you.

[medicgunslinger]

ems is a different kind of animal. the others have given you a taste of how it can be- but take everything with a grain of salt. i will openly admit to being burned out- 15 years of being a paramedic, firefighter, and reserve cop/tac medic in a very busy system will do that to you. all that aside, this can be the greatest job in the world for you too.

there is the angry,burned out provider that will always have something negative to say, and is more or less mad at the world.

there is the ricky rescue fruit loop type- that carrys 2 pagers, 8 pairs of scissors, and has more gear in his personal vehicle than on the unit. this usually goes hand in hand with being new, inexperienced, and green. this is usualy just a phase, but these people are mostly just excitd, motivated, and looking to do a great job. you cant really fault these people, but its easy to laugh at them! i will also admit that my first year as an emt, right after my 18th birthday- i was the biggest ricky in the department, and i look back and laugh at myself!

and finally- there is the level headed provider that is a true patient advocate, but is calm, cool, collected, and NOT A RICKY RESCUE! this is what you should shoot for- a true professional, that proves it on the street, not by running his mouth. someone who can follow the rules, and stay in controll. it takes time to get experience, but thats ok- we all start somewhere. just dont try to compensate for inexperience by getting a ****y "lifesaver" attitude, or hanging more crap off your belt! if you work in a busy system, dont be the one that gets salty and burned out after 6 months. conversely, if youre in a slow, rural, or volunteer system- dont pretend to be a paragod wannabe after 6 months either!

another important thing is to take a good hard look in the mirror and ask if youre mature enough mentally/emotionally to be an emt at 16. i was an explorer at 15, and will admit- i was still a kid, and not ready for ride alongs.

i personally think the minimum age for national registry cert should be increased to 21. nothing personal at all, as i have never met you, but i have had alot of young emt's before- some really excelling, and being some of the best partners i have ever had (strive for this), and some being very immature, and not ready for the real world of public safety (avoid this).

all that aside- i commend you on your desire to provide service- our field is commonly refered to as the most noble of all. your interest alone says alot about your character.

the only way to find out truely if this is for you is to get a real taste- the forums, magazines, and war stories of your friends only tell you so much- try to do a ride along somewhere! it will tell you alot about yourself, and the job.

best of luck!

-Joe

[miles2]

what do you mean by what kind of training........you have to be very active....this is first and foremost thing......do exercise on regular basis and keep yourself fit....because if you are not healthy then you cant keep anyone healthy.....

[lisathomas]

[quote=EMT Fan15;2276775]I am only 15, but I was wondering if you guys could give me any heads up on the field of an EMS, like, what kind of training is required, or any heads up, any surprises, and what kind of paperwork is needed to become, or any physical health exams or evaluations a female EMS would need? I'm not too fond of surprises, or doctors, for that fact, but jsut want to know. Thank you![/QUOTE

even i want to know the same thing ...can anyone tell me how to gain information.

[armymedic571]

Lisa,
Re-read the responses in the thread and then formulate a question.

[rc3ls]

I agree with drexmedic, you have to get use to seeing people at thier worse, doing all of those things, but your reward, like mine is helping people get to the hospital and that is why I love what I do.

[rc3ls]

I will be starting my EMT class this January. I have already been told.... 4 months of hard work, two nights a week one Saturday of labs. I have seen the text book/study book. Once I complete the course I will take EVAP ( ambulance driving course). I know I won't have a life for 4 months.

What will it be like?

[JEMT11]

Originally Posted by rc3ls

I will be starting my EMT class this January. I have already been told.... 4 months of hard work, two nights a week one Saturday of labs. I have seen the text book/study book. Once I complete the course I will take EVAP ( ambulance driving course). I know I won't have a life for 4 months.

What will it be like?

To be quite honest with you, it depends on your instructors.

I took my course at a county serviced fire academy where we had about 8 instructors (not including administrative ones). On most nights we had smart, interesting teachers who were very knowledgable (sp?) in their EMS careers and knew what they were talking. Most, if not all were Paramedic's or EMT-B supervisors.

Personally, I only had to read the chapter once before class and then we went over it. After that I retained it. Sure, I'll forget somethings here and there but I just refer back to my textbook just like my instructors have in the past.

In your sistuation, I had the exact same schedule you did. As far as the severity of the course, I had no problem passing it and I'm 17. I guess it depends on your instructors, but it can't hurt to study and get to know the chapters before hand.

I wish you well; and remember any and all questions, feel free to ask!

[rjstine65]

Originally Posted by rc3ls

I will be starting my EMT class this January. I have already been told.... 4 months of hard work, two nights a week one Saturday of labs. I have seen the text book/study book. Once I complete the course I will take EVAP ( ambulance driving course). I know I won't have a life for 4 months.

What will it be like?

Like any other classroom, just with more hands on. Be ready for study and memorization, learning how your state runs EMS and what you need to know to get through NR if you use it. Book knowledge is just as important as skills, so if you don't know, read on it in the book and commit it to memory.

Walk in the park...

[rc3ls]

Thanks for the great information. I am looking forward to the class.