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Considering EMT school? Here are five MORE Everyday EMS Tips from recent EMT Basic course graduate Carissa Caramanis O’Brien for you to consider as you enroll and prepare for EMT training.
6. Be confident. Your instructor will tell you that confidence in a patient care situation is important, so that the patient feels safe and also gains confidence that you’ll be able to help. That confidence should start in the classroom. You might not have the skills (yet), but be confident in your interest and ability, and it will more readily translate into success. That said, be careful…there’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and arrogance won’t get you very far.
7. Get hands-on. EMS is not a spectator sport. In the field, you’ll be responsible for a variety of BLS patient care that will have you knee-deep in trauma, medical calls and extrications. Get your hands dirty in training, because you’re certainly in for it once you hit the streets.
8. Start your network. Like many fields, the key to EMS success is in the people. If you have aspirations to be a leader one day, who you know and the relationships you build will play a critical role. So start now. Your instructor, teaching assistants, the local EMS in your city or town and online forums are there and available for you to reach out and introduce yourself.
9. Study hard. Why aim for anything but your best? Whether you’re a rocket scientist or a struggling student, you should count on studying for your EMT-B exams. Countless skills, anatomical terms, pharmacology lessons and medical guidelines should have you breaking out the flashcards, or whatever tool works for you.
10. Take pride. Don’t forget that you’re studying to be certified to save lives. There’s no greater calling, and if you succeed in your training and make the most of it, a rewarding career will be waiting for you.
Read the first five Top Tips for EMT-Basic Students.
Carissa Caramanis O’Brien is President of Red Box Communications, a consultancy specializing in EMS, Fire and Public Safety. You can find her on Twitter (@carissao) and at redboxcommunications.com.
Visit EMSBootCamp.com for more tips, resources, and a free webinar presentation on preparing for EMT school by Greg Friese and Jim Hoffman
