Resqmedic Posted November 29, 2012 Posted November 29, 2012 If your end goal is to work on a flight service you really should focus your attention there, that would mean getting a job at an ER, preferably at a hospital with a flight service. Once you get your medic you could always part time it on a pre-hospital service to gain valuable field experience, but the biggest learning curve with flight medicine is the interfacilty stuff. Also the advantage of working in the ER is you have access to all the doctors and specialists as they are preforming their assessments and care, you learn so much more by being on the sidelines than watching from the stands. I learned more in my 2 years working in the ER than the previous 6 in in the field, as a MICU medic even. One common denominator you will find with the majority of flight services (all if them in my state) there my be medics, or doctors, but every one of them has a RN, which means you probably should go (ick ick) get that too.
Just Plain Ruff Posted November 29, 2012 Posted November 29, 2012 what happens when you dont work for a service thar requires you to write a report, but rather has a laptop or tough pad with an EMR loaded on to it well if there's no narrative then the book will still help you out but I can tell you it's been a while since I've read it so I'm not sure if it's been updated to include the electronic report writing capability. The book is specifically geared towards writing narratives. But don't electronic report writing tools all have narrative pieces to them? I'm not familiar with all of them out there so I don't honestly know Craig, I would think there would have to be a place to write a narrative otherwise I would be very very leary of using that report writing system because to me that is where the meat and potatoes of what you saw, heard, felt and did come into play. A bunch of boxes and check marks doesn't even come close to making a narrative for me. If I can find the book at a good price, I'll be sure to post it here at that price. I still think that if your electronic report writing system doesn't let you do a narrative the book would still be a valuable tool in your arsenal of educational tools. But I do understand your question.
paramedicmike Posted November 29, 2012 Posted November 29, 2012 If you want to fly then you need ground 911 experience. A lot of it. Every air medical service with which I'm familiar, including the one I worked for for several years before going to grad school, wants 911 experience and does not heavily consider ER tech type experience. We did not hire several candidates because they had extensive ER experience and limited 911 experience. So while the resources available to one working in an ER are quite vast, the experience gained will not be beneficial to pursuing a flight job.
Just Plain Ruff Posted November 29, 2012 Posted November 29, 2012 Apologies captain, my phone gave me a page load error. I kinda gave up and fell asleep after my last post. But now I've restarted my phone and it loaded. That is pretty expensive, but with the extensive information on correctly writing out a report, its worth it. Thanks tyler. I know with many of the jobs I've had, things can't always be done by the book and be expected to work right...a lot of the machines at work can't be fixed by the book it takes a deeper understanding of how it works. Don't go out and buy it quite yet. There has to be a way to get it cheaper. These prices are insane and they are for an out of print book. I'm trying to get in touch with the author to see if there's a project in my future with her!!!!! Report writing was my passion and I need a project. Methinks this book needs a bit of updating to fit the EPcr's like Craig alluded to.
ems94 Posted November 29, 2012 Author Posted November 29, 2012 I am really enjoying every ones advice. Thank you all. I'm not real sure if flight medic is my big dream or not. I've had a little experience in the field and I love that, I just want to find the right environment for me. I'm learning a lot of different directions I can go with ems and they all.seem exciting and enjoyable, I just don't know which is best for me. @ captain if you can find that book for a lower price that'd be fantastic...if not I've already started saving for it. Again thank you all for the previous given advice...looking forward to everything else you guys have to offer
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