ER Rotation coming up...any tips?
- Thread starter HemOnc
- Start date
EpiEMS
Forum Deputy Chief
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1) Ask how you can help.
2) Try to shadow a particular person, if they'll let you.
3) Carry gloves with you.
Enjoy!
NysEms2117
ex-Parole officer/EMT
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Also listen listen and more listening. Also if it's in the particular area where you will be working. This is probably your first impression to people, make it count!
@NysEms2117 Thanks for the tip Nys 
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Here are a few tips that I have for you.
First: Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Everyone there (including the techs) know more than you do.
Second: Know what you're allowed to do, what you can do with supervision, and what you may never do under any circumstances. I used to call that last one my "never list."
Third: Be an active learner. Seek out opportunities. If there's a code, ask if you can help. They'll probably put you in the queue for doing compressions. Like most of us here, we've worked codes enough that it's fairly routine for us to do compressions or any other intervention.
Fourth: Ask your preceptor (usually a nurse) if you can practice doing vitals and doing basic patient assessments. Then with each patient, ask the preceptor first and then the patient for permission to do it because you're a student. Don't just mimic what you see your preceptor doing or other staff... we've been around a while and we do very focused assessments so we might not actually do a full-up patient assessment, though if I were to do one and not narrate while I'm doing it, I could get a reasonably well-done assessment done in less than 5 minutes, and at the EMT level, less than one, minus actual vitals (I off-load that task to a machine because I can).
Fifth: have your paperwork with you so we can sign off completion of skills OR so we can reference what you can and can't do. Also if you have to do some documentation, get it done when you can (like when your preceptor is documenting too).
Sixth: have fun!
First: Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Everyone there (including the techs) know more than you do.
Second: Know what you're allowed to do, what you can do with supervision, and what you may never do under any circumstances. I used to call that last one my "never list."
Third: Be an active learner. Seek out opportunities. If there's a code, ask if you can help. They'll probably put you in the queue for doing compressions. Like most of us here, we've worked codes enough that it's fairly routine for us to do compressions or any other intervention.
Fourth: Ask your preceptor (usually a nurse) if you can practice doing vitals and doing basic patient assessments. Then with each patient, ask the preceptor first and then the patient for permission to do it because you're a student. Don't just mimic what you see your preceptor doing or other staff... we've been around a while and we do very focused assessments so we might not actually do a full-up patient assessment, though if I were to do one and not narrate while I'm doing it, I could get a reasonably well-done assessment done in less than 5 minutes, and at the EMT level, less than one, minus actual vitals (I off-load that task to a machine because I can).
Fifth: have your paperwork with you so we can sign off completion of skills OR so we can reference what you can and can't do. Also if you have to do some documentation, get it done when you can (like when your preceptor is documenting too).
Sixth: have fun!
Medic27
Forum Lieutenant
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1.) Listen, follow instructions.
2.) Don't do what I did on my clinical, if anyone is curious you can message me. It's a hilarious story but not something I want the whole world to hear. )
3.) Did I say follow instructions? Follow instructions.
2.) Don't do what I did on my clinical, if anyone is curious you can message me. It's a hilarious story but not something I want the whole world to hear. )
3.) Did I say follow instructions? Follow instructions.
bakertaylor28
Forum Lieutenant
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While listening and following instructions is important. Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question.
Ask questions often, particularly when your not SURE you know something. That is what these experiences are for-
they sometimes present the rare exceptions to rules.
Ask questions often, particularly when your not SURE you know something. That is what these experiences are for-
they sometimes present the rare exceptions to rules.
bakertaylor28
Forum Lieutenant
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hometownmedic5
Forum Asst. Chief
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Show up on time, properly dressed.
Be prepared(pen, documentation, stethescope if you have one, etc).
Don't get in the way, but do what you're supposed to do.
DBAA.
Be prepared(pen, documentation, stethescope if you have one, etc).
Don't get in the way, but do what you're supposed to do.
DBAA.
Bullets
Forum Knucklehead
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Listen specifically to the overhead paging. if you hear them paging a doctor to a room, go to that room. It usually means things are going south for the patient and cool things are about to happen
Always offer to help. The staff will warm up to you quicker if you are helping them move patients, roll them, go and get stuff, ect. Watch the staff, WATCH THE TECHS! Good techs know everyone elses job and anticipate what the RNS and Docs will need.
Dont be afraid to ask. Rarely have i encountered anyone who was not interested in teaching.
Always offer to help. The staff will warm up to you quicker if you are helping them move patients, roll them, go and get stuff, ect. Watch the staff, WATCH THE TECHS! Good techs know everyone elses job and anticipate what the RNS and Docs will need.
Dont be afraid to ask. Rarely have i encountered anyone who was not interested in teaching.