So! I know this blog hasn’t had terribly much in the way of EMS material lately. But soon, that’s going to change.
Because this kid is going to Advanced Emergency Medical Technician school!!
I’m very excited about it now, although I hemmed and hawed about it for a while. I don’t have much experience, and I was afraid others would frown upon my going. I’m still a little nervous to be honest. I, like everyone, want to be a good provider. I have a passion for the field, and I’m good at school. But I worry sometimes that I don’t have what it takes to be a good provider….that maybe I’m missing an “x factor.” I suppose only time will tell for sure. So long as I understand that the learning process never stops, and that I’m willing to do the best I can each time I jump on that ambulance…..then I think I’m doing a good job in working to become the best provider I can be.
So I have a question for you. What do you think is a good indicator as to whether or not you’re ready to go on to the next provider level? It can’t all be about the amount of time you spend on an ambulance….there are plenty of providers that leap right into paramedic school after obtaining their EMT-B. Are there certain personality traits you expect someone to have developed? Are there certain types of calls that you think are essential for someone to have under their belt before moving on? Did you ever feel truly ready when you applied/registered to paramedic or I-tech school? Is there anything else you consider?
Before I decided to register, an officer kept pushing me to go to paramedic school. (which I will ultimately do, but now is simply not the time) I asked him, “Sir, think of all the BLS providers on this service. If someone you truly cared about needed an ambulance, and a 4-person BLS crew was the only thing we had in town…..would you want me on that crew?” It was his answer to this that made me think that maybe I would do alright in AEMT school.
I’m interested in hearing your points, ideas and suggestions! Stay safe out there!
From the sounds of your post, and other writings, you are ready for the next step in education. The fact that you would even ask yourself that question shows more maturity than those who go “zero to hero” in 24 months.
For me, when I reached a level of complacency, I knew I needed to learn more. I’m not sure if that makes much sense, but allow me to try to explain. At one point in my career, I became more comfortable than I should have with certain types of patients. That’s not to say that one should never feel comfortable, but when “comfortable” turns to “complacent” then we have a problem. I realized that I was complacent with the lack of knowledge I had, and that I needed to learn more.
One of the most dangerous aspects of any healthcare field is the unknown unknown. If you don’t know what you don’t know, then you can do some serious damage. The only way to know what you don’t know, is to get back in a book, and back in a classroom.
What I might do, if I were in your shoes, is this: Find the most respected provider at the highest level you work with, be that a paramedic, doctor, nurse, AEMT, or whatever. It doesn’t have to be the grumpiest, or oldest, or most experienced, but a respected provider will help you more. Ask that person the same question you asked your readers. I believe you will find that you are more ready for more knowledge than you think.
Good luck in school. You will do great.
LThanks for the advice. The thing you said about getting complacent makes a lot of sense. One of the reasons I’m going to AEMT school is because I’m frustrated with what little I know, and how limited my scope of practice is. As for talking with a well respected medic, I really like that idea. One that I have in mind is absolutely brilliant, and he’s a wonderful medic. Talking to him is almost intimidating, because he’s one of those smart, quiet types that basically have you figured out in 5 minutes, meanwhile you feel like you know nothing about him. Regardless, I might have to suck it up and talk to him, and see what he says. It’ll probably be a response not unlike yours. Thanks for the advice, as always.
MK,
Let me know how the IV labs go. I’ve been debating about my EMT-I, but I’ve, uh, got a big fear of being on the receiving end of IVs, especially if it’s a person who’s never done it before.
Eh, I’ve had so many IVs and blood draws in my life, they don’t particularly bother me anymore. The way I see it, if I’m starting the line on someone else, it won’t hurt me one bit.
And if someone is digging around in my veins for an extended period of time, maybe I’ll just return the favor 
Ah, I’ve got crappy veins to stick, so they always end up fishing and it feels like it freaking burns.