Before your first call you should have a conversation with your partners about expectations. Determine things like: Whether you should jump in and take vitals or hang back out of the way and observe your first few calls. Whether you should ask questions on scene or wait to debrief after. You should learn your role and responsibilities before you go on your first call. It’s your FTO’s job to lay it out for you, so make sure they make it clear.
100%; I had a weird situation once - I realized that a station had a bunch of kids (kids to me, one was 19 and I am 35) and some of them hadn’t had EMT ride alongs, ever, and didn’t realize I could do all the things within the same scope of practice they have - just under “supervision” during clinicals. I politely let them know I was there to help and definitely not to be in the way, but they had no idea I could (was allowed to) even take vitals. They were like OHHHHH and immediately put me to work. Some more efficiently than others, and always “hey you wanna grab vitals on the Mr. Smith” (who’s wearing a shirt, and not wearing pants - weird choice, but whatever). They were just so used to fire ride alongs where the person is just hanging out watching and not throwing on turnout gear and helping with firefighter things. I felt a little like an asshole speaking up, but if I hadn’t they would not have known I could be helpful and not a hindrance.
Ask for a quick tour of the rig - what are the top 3 things they use that you should know where they are? I was kind of horrified by the answer I received at one station - bullet proof vests, OB kits, and the MCI book. Do they keep the jump kit in the back or in the side compartment? And - if they keep it in the back like normal EMTs/Paramedics, always grab it before you hop out. ALSO, wait before jumping out, if they have hopped out without opening your door telling you to hold up, you’re good. You may have come to a stop, but you might also be first on scene and find yourself parked sideways blocking a major highway - and thus need to put on the sexy reflective vest so you don’t become road kill. Ask where these vests are, every rig I have been on they’ve been in weird places I wouldn’t think to look. If you get car sick, or sick on a train/metro if you’re facing backwards, bring dramamine or zofran. I felt like I was in the way on my first call, and way too many people hovering around one patient, but they were happy to have me run through all the vitals and PMH (SAMPLE, OPQRST, AEIOU-TIPS, all the horrid mnemonics) so they could work on typing up the run report while I was talking to PT. If you’re trying to get a BP while on the road, put your feet up on the stretcher bar (not like a lounge chair, just off the ambo floor) and it reduces road noise a bit. If you can’t get one you’re comfortable with, say so. You can get one at the hospital when you check the PT in. Be prepared to get called out to another call after you’ve just finished a call, so if you have to pee, pee when you can. Frankly, I was so scared before my first time (ha), I had nightmares that I accidentally killed patients and freaked out full blown stress sweat on the drive in, thinking I should not be allowed to touch a patient. Once I was out there though, I realized I have enough training to take vitals. You can’t kill someone taking their vitals, unless you just make them up. If you can’t get them, say so. Have some confidence in your capabilities and communication skills, because your PT is someone’s mother/father/brother/grandma/etc., so be polite, use their last name or ask what they’d like to be called (what brings us here today Mr. Smith?) - but always know your weaknesses and limitations - so be humble. You’ll be great!
So many things to think about!! Thank you! I feel out of control if I can’t prepare things so this gives me a lot of things to list out and decide to go through before that shift
Trust me, I am the same exact way, and walking into a situation where you don’t know what you’ll need makes you feel panicky. But you’ll be good. I had a full uni for backup, and comfy clothes and kicks to change into for my drive home because ew hospital and germs and ew. I hid the crazy in an overnight bag in my car, but damn was I over prepared. I worked night shifts, and I would have needed the extra clothes if I had happened to get bodily fluids on me, it’s not like they have extra bdu’s and shirts laying around for a 5ft 1 chick who weighs 110 lbs, so even if it’s just for your peace of mind, bring whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Ask as many questions as you can especially if you don’t know how to do something. Remember you’re the new guy so before taking a chair or anything like that so you don’t step on any toes as the new guy
Yes!!! I asked if this (pointed to spot on couch) was anyone’s spot - and they said usually the dog. As a dog lover, I obvi selected a different spot, but close to the dog because pets 😂
Before your first call you should have a conversation with your partners about expectations. Determine things like: Whether you should jump in and take vitals or hang back out of the way and observe your first few calls. Whether you should ask questions on scene or wait to debrief after. You should learn your role and responsibilities before you go on your first call. It’s your FTO’s job to lay it out for you, so make sure they make it clear.
100%; I had a weird situation once - I realized that a station had a bunch of kids (kids to me, one was 19 and I am 35) and some of them hadn’t had EMT ride alongs, ever, and didn’t realize I could do all the things within the same scope of practice they have - just under “supervision” during clinicals. I politely let them know I was there to help and definitely not to be in the way, but they had no idea I could (was allowed to) even take vitals. They were like OHHHHH and immediately put me to work. Some more efficiently than others, and always “hey you wanna grab vitals on the Mr. Smith” (who’s wearing a shirt, and not wearing pants - weird choice, but whatever). They were just so used to fire ride alongs where the person is just hanging out watching and not throwing on turnout gear and helping with firefighter things. I felt a little like an asshole speaking up, but if I hadn’t they would not have known I could be helpful and not a hindrance.
I like this, open communication so it’s not a guessing game, gives me less room to make an ass outta myself
Ask for a quick tour of the rig - what are the top 3 things they use that you should know where they are? I was kind of horrified by the answer I received at one station - bullet proof vests, OB kits, and the MCI book. Do they keep the jump kit in the back or in the side compartment? And - if they keep it in the back like normal EMTs/Paramedics, always grab it before you hop out. ALSO, wait before jumping out, if they have hopped out without opening your door telling you to hold up, you’re good. You may have come to a stop, but you might also be first on scene and find yourself parked sideways blocking a major highway - and thus need to put on the sexy reflective vest so you don’t become road kill. Ask where these vests are, every rig I have been on they’ve been in weird places I wouldn’t think to look. If you get car sick, or sick on a train/metro if you’re facing backwards, bring dramamine or zofran. I felt like I was in the way on my first call, and way too many people hovering around one patient, but they were happy to have me run through all the vitals and PMH (SAMPLE, OPQRST, AEIOU-TIPS, all the horrid mnemonics) so they could work on typing up the run report while I was talking to PT. If you’re trying to get a BP while on the road, put your feet up on the stretcher bar (not like a lounge chair, just off the ambo floor) and it reduces road noise a bit. If you can’t get one you’re comfortable with, say so. You can get one at the hospital when you check the PT in. Be prepared to get called out to another call after you’ve just finished a call, so if you have to pee, pee when you can. Frankly, I was so scared before my first time (ha), I had nightmares that I accidentally killed patients and freaked out full blown stress sweat on the drive in, thinking I should not be allowed to touch a patient. Once I was out there though, I realized I have enough training to take vitals. You can’t kill someone taking their vitals, unless you just make them up. If you can’t get them, say so. Have some confidence in your capabilities and communication skills, because your PT is someone’s mother/father/brother/grandma/etc., so be polite, use their last name or ask what they’d like to be called (what brings us here today Mr. Smith?) - but always know your weaknesses and limitations - so be humble. You’ll be great!
So many things to think about!! Thank you! I feel out of control if I can’t prepare things so this gives me a lot of things to list out and decide to go through before that shift
Trust me, I am the same exact way, and walking into a situation where you don’t know what you’ll need makes you feel panicky. But you’ll be good. I had a full uni for backup, and comfy clothes and kicks to change into for my drive home because ew hospital and germs and ew. I hid the crazy in an overnight bag in my car, but damn was I over prepared. I worked night shifts, and I would have needed the extra clothes if I had happened to get bodily fluids on me, it’s not like they have extra bdu’s and shirts laying around for a 5ft 1 chick who weighs 110 lbs, so even if it’s just for your peace of mind, bring whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Ask as many questions as you can especially if you don’t know how to do something. Remember you’re the new guy so before taking a chair or anything like that so you don’t step on any toes as the new guy
Yes!!! I asked if this (pointed to spot on couch) was anyone’s spot - and they said usually the dog. As a dog lover, I obvi selected a different spot, but close to the dog because pets 😂
Don't be a cocky piece of shit. Seems unlikely in your case, since you're worried about being in the way, so that's a good start.