I have been invited to begin training along with 4 other EMT’s beginning this Tuesday. I don’t know exactly what to expect as the interview process was quite minimalist, but I do know that we’ll be going over lots of “orientation” stuff in the beginning. We’ll get the legal things out of the way, go over lifting patients, using the gurney, and how to properly write a patient care report (PCR). Other than that, I’ll have to update this post as the training continues.
Nonetheless, congratulations to me! I am now proud to call myself an employed EMT.
One thing I’d like to note is that Bay Medic Ambulance does not have a contract with 911 which means that we do not get called to the scenes of emergencies. We specialize in transporting the sick and injured in a safe and efficient (though sure not cheap – no ambulance company is inexpensive) manner. For me this raises an interesting personal conflict which I believe is actually rare among ambulance jockeys.
As an EMT we want to put our skills to use. We want to be challenged, and we want to see action. Delivering an elderly medical patient from one facility to another is not action – it is taxi service. On the other hand, action means that somebody is suffering. It means getting excited at the prospect of another’s pain and misfortune; two things which don’t excite me. Nonetheless, as an EMT, I want to be involved in that.
To be clear (and I believe this is shared among the majority of EMT’s), it’s not that I want bad things to happen to people, but if they’re going to happen anyway, I want to be there. …to help of course.
My point in this is that I don’t expect action with Bay Medic, but I am thrilled to have the job and I am very, very curious to find out if I will actually see some excitement or if I am merely destined to learn the county hospitals better than I ever could have imagined. We’ll see…..
You have a great opportunity ahead of you. Being in a postion to help people when they are physically sick and in distress is a blessing that most people don’t get. It makes a person feel his true humanity. It gives you, the caregiver, a chance to be the best a human can be! It’s rewards are un-measurable and enormous. Go forth and be the kindest and most supportive person you can be!
Congratulations! That is fantastic news!
As you said – “action” doesn’t mean you caused the pain and suffering. Getting excited about an accident or a situation where someone is in dire need of help is a natural reaction in healers, I think. We go onto emergency mode, get hyper focused, and the adrenaline starts rushing (this is the excitement) at the thought of using every bit of your knowledge and talent to help someone – or even save their life.
Just remember, if you or someone you know were seriously injured, I’m sure you’d want a whole lot of “excited”, trained people clambering to get to you 😉
Don’t worry about the ambulatory taxi service. This is the time to develop your empathy skills and learn to maintain composure with the sick or injured. It may be more boring than you were anticipating, but maybe it will build patience. Plus, any experience is good experience in my book 😉
You’re doing great Josh! Super happy you chose this route 🙂
I am very happy for you Josh and proud of you! I agree with all those responses above. Proceed with an open heart and mind and you’ll find out so much more about yourself, people, and life.
Excellent work sir. A great journey begins with a single footstep. Learn what sick people look and act like, sharpen your skills, you will be all the better for it. I wish you great success.