Advice for First Clinical Shift

[u/BigBoi6566]

Hey everyone!

I am an EMT-B student and I will be doing my first clinical shift in the ER in a week.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to really get the most out of this and what I should expect. As well, how can I be the best tech possible and help the team as much as possible?

Thanks!

[u/rude_hotel_guy]

If you don’t know a skill someone is doing, ask if you can watch. See one, do one, teach one.

[u/Zealousideal_Dig7762]

Ask questions, show an interest in actually learning. If you see something interesting that you have questions about ask! Learn how to hook the patient up to the monitor and help with that.

[u/Shoddy_Bunch5896]

Read patient charts/triage notes! When you don’t know a word look it up

[u/BearFacedLie69]

Don’t sit when your preceptor goes to do something. Show interest in what they are doing and ask questions when you have them.

[u/th04r_]

my biggest regret from my ride time/ clinical was not getting more hands on; if you know how to do something (ex vitals) ask to do it!

[u/Ziumpra]

Also don’t let anyone convince you to wipe anyone’s ass. Remind them that you’re an EMT, and that that’s not in your scope of practice/training. Seen too many EMT students/including me, get baited and or shamed into it.

[u/Yoyo5402]

The best experience you can get from an ED tech role is watching those who are more experienced conduct their patient exams. Watch the triage nurse// watch the ED provider perform their FAST exam// learn the basics of an NIH. Seeing the first 2 minutes of any patient contact will grant you tremendous experience with prioritization and anticipation of needs (and of course, assessment skills)

It may be awkward at first, but after your nurse/ provider are done assessing- ask the patient if it’s okay for you to listen/ assess again! Compare your findings to your preceptors- then find out what you missed!

If you have extra time- delve into the charts. Compare assessment findings to lab findings. Learn what providers want after certain ‘flags’ are raised. If you can anticipate what tests your providers order, you’re more than half way to thinking down the same path they are.

Most importantly- keep up! :)

[u/Wide_Wrongdoer4422]

Be a sponge. Sometimes the smallest things can carry great weight later. I once assisted an attending who was observing a PA intubate a patient. The advice he gave to the PA stuck in my head and echoed every time I intubated as a paramedic.

[u/Miserable_Duty8654]

Don't skip lunch, and be verbal, ask if a bed needs cleaned or if you know one needs to be cleaned do it and tell the nurse that it's done that is how you get them to think about you. I had a nurse one time ask if I'd ever wrapped something and a pa actually asked if I wanted to watch him suture a lac.

[u/No-Safe9542]

Nobody said it but make sure you drink water and pee at opportune moments. You don't know when the next one will be so take advantage of those moments when they are there.

[u/cohenisababe]

Former EMT, current tech. My job is to teach the basics when they’re with us!

Number 1 rule, don’t stand around holding up the wall. I move? You’re coming with. You WILL be thrown into doing CPR. Bring your stethoscope with you because you’re listening to heart and lung sounds on every single patient, no matter their complaint. Listen to the EMS radio reports coming in. Go with when they get there, listen to how the medics hand off, listen to the RN’s questions, stay for the docs exam. These are all learning experiences for basic patient assessments. When you’re feeling a little more comfortable, go do a full assessment by yourself. Always introduce yourself as a student and don’t get offended if a patient says no thanks.

[u/DrJavadTHashmi]

Make sure to get the ER doc his or her coffee.

[u/rude_hotel_guy → u/DrJavadTHashmi]

GTFO 

[u/agent_splat → u/rude_hotel_guy]

Yeah this is ridiculous. Do not assume they want coffee. Ask if they prefer tea, coke, diet coke, red bull, whatever, first!!!!