Being an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) comes with a specific set of challenges. Being able to think quickly, act decisively, and deliver expert medical care in emergency situations is no easy task, and one that can take time to master.
A good place to start is to know what common mistakes to avoid. By being aware of some of the pitfalls rookie EMTs can fall into, you will be less likely to make these crucial errors once you begin your career. Read on to learn more.
Good Paramedics Know Not to Take Too Long Checking a Rig
One of the common mistakes that new EMTs make is taking too long to check everything inside of a rig before a shift. While this might seem like due diligence, it can seriously delay transportation and other important duties. Instead, you should check only for what would be essential during an emergency medical situation, such as whether the ambulance lights and sirens are functioning properly, and if there is a cot and fresh sheets.
Don’t waste time, check your rig for EMT essentials only
You should also check to see if there is enough oxygen inside your O2 tanks, as well as verifying that the defibrillator is on. Finish by checking whether you have enough essential medical supplies like bandages, gauze, and antiseptic, and you should be done in less than 7 minutes.
Avoid Writing Out Long Run Reports
Emergency Medical Service run reports are important for communicating the type of injury sustained by a trauma victim, the incident that lead to the injury, their current condition, and personal information. While an EMT’s run reports should be thorough, writing a long and overly detailed report can waste time and may delay a patient’s treatment.
Paramedic program graduates can avoid this issue by aiming for concise and simple narratives. Try to convey in as few words as possible the type of accident, the injury, how you treated the victim at the scene and during transport, and what further care they might need in the ER. Personal information and medical history can also be written down in relatively few words.
Keeping Calm During Your Emergency Medical Technician Career is Essential
Stress is likely the biggest problem you will face after graduating. Emergency medical situations can make new EMTs anxious, and that can lead to big mistakes being made. One way you can keep calm is to trust in your training. A primary care paramedic program will give you all the tools you need to provide lifesaving care in a variety of emergency situations, and thinking back to what you learnt during your course will help you make the right call.
With a good paramedic program you’ll have all the skills you need
Oxford College’s program, for instance, will give you comprehensive training in how to administer pre-hospital emergency care like CPR and oxygen therapy. You’ll also learn how to collaborate and communicate with hospital staff, police, and the victim’s family members to make sure you can collect all the relevant information and deliver proper treatment. By being confident and relying on your education, you’ll be calm enough to handle emergency medical situations efficiently.
Are you ready to start your emergency medical technician career?
Contact Oxford College to find out how you can earn your credentials in just 60 weeks!