Successful Beginnings: Sound Advice for the Entry-Level EMS Provider

As a new provider I was naive and eager. As a second-generation paramedic, I'd had more previous exposure to the profession than most. But as an entry level paramedic, I was clueless to the intricacies of being a quality provider and partner.  When I began my orientation for my first position as a paramedic, I was paired with supervisors and senior paramedics as a primary provider on the unit. Many of my new mentors had more than 20 years on the job. They were reasonable and fair people who took great pride in their work.  As I reflect on the experiences I've had as an FTO, I can appreciate the frustration that I must've caused them. However, I attribute a lot of my success in this profession to those that invested in me when I was the "new kid." I'm a fond believer that your first year is crucial to the overall success of your career.  My position is certainly a unique one. I'm experienced enough to teach and be a mentor, but still have several years ahead of me. I wrote this article with the sole purpose of giving a brand new provider the opportunity to learn from my successes and mistakes from when I was still wet behind the ears. 1. Master the Essentials Your first gig as an EMT or paramedic can be intimidating. It’s a path we've all walked. As a new EMS provider, there's so much more to learn than what you were taught in class. I can guarantee that the rig you just hired into is set up differently than what you rode on during clinical...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Trauma Patient Care Operations Source Type: news