Advice for a new EMT
At www.emsconnect.com a new EMT asked his friends for advice as he starts his first job at a Level 1 trauma center. He is understandably nervous about his first EMS job and wants to do great. This was my advice to him that I think is applicable to a new EMT in any organization.
- Relax. You were hired because they thought you had the skills, values, and work ethic to do the job. They also hired you based of the potential you have to be a great employee.
- Make sure you arrive early for your first day. You don’t want to be in a rush.
- Introduce yourself to as many co-workers as you can with a smile and a line like “My name is …. I am really excited to be here, I want to learn a lot, and I will probably be asking a lot of questions.”
- Then ask lots of good questions.
- If you are unsure about how something is done or where something is located or how to document care or assessment ask your preceptor or other co-workers
- Show interest beyond your specific duties. For example, if you have some downtime ask an RN or MD about a specific patient you are helping to care for. I always liked to ask what the MD was looking at in x-rays (a good way to learn lots of anatomy). I still do this. Just last night an MD showed me an x-ray for a fall patient we transported. The fracture in femoral neck was not obvious until the MD showed us the dimensions and landmarks he was seeing.
- Review your check-off sheet often and if you need items checked off ask people to help you.
- Be friendly
- Have an action orientation which means look for and see things that need to be done and do them. For example, as a trauma center EMT you might be helping with preparing rooms for patients. After you are shown how the room is prepped just start doing it.
- Be a great team mate. Trauma care is teamwork. Know and understand your role on the trauma team and then get really good at it. Support others so they can do their jobs really well.
- Take advantage of the numerous training and learning opportunities at the hospital. A level 1 trauma center has lectures, case discussions, research projects, conferences, a library, and lots of public education efforts. Get involved, learn, and make yourself known as someone that wants to learn and be involved and doors will open for you.
Tags: EMSConnect, Hospital, Orientation, Trauma Center
