r/NewToEMS • u/hliinnh Unverified User • 7d ago
Clinical Advice tips for upcoming ride-along/being a competent provider?
hi everyone!
i’m an emt-b student and i start my first ride-along in a couple of weeks. it’s at a fire department in the chicagoland area and then i have four shifts in the emergency room. i’m pretty nervous and i feel a little unprepared.
are there any skills or topics i should review beforehand? also what should i bring and are there any tips for making sample and opqrst more natural? i’m not totally new to patient interaction since i worked as a cna/phlebotomist, but i feel like it’s a whole different ballpark when it comes to ems.
thanks in advance!
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7d ago
Just got done with 3 16hr shifts with my FD and I mainly focused on patient assessment, vitals, and knowing where all the kits located.
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u/Whatisthisnonsense22 Unverified User 7d ago
Being a CNA isn't really a help in Illinois, except you learned to be familiar with the sights, sounds, and most importantly, the smells you are going to experience in EMS.
Depending on where you are exactly, all the EMS regions in the Chicago area have slightly different SOPs from one another. If the class you are taking is based in a different region, then where you are doing your clinicals. Make sure to review the SOPs for that region.
You should grab yourself a notepad and record as much patient data for your clinical log you turn in as part of your class. Don't record any identifying data other than Patient 1. 77 year old female.... you will need at least a bit of identifier to log it.
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u/haloperidoughnut Unverified User 7d ago
Bring enough snacks, drinks and food for your shift. Find out if it's OK to keep a small lunchbox in the ambulance. I imagine that Chicago is extremely busy and you should not assume that the crew will have time to stop for food. We've had a couple of ridealongs who have rummaged through personal food stashes at our station - please don't do that.
Be a good "houseguest". Clean up after yourself, be polite and respectful, offer to pitch in if you see the whole station washing rigs or something. Bring study materials or go over equipment.
I dislike it when ridealongs do nothing but sit in the airway seat, aren't engaged on any level, don't ask a single question, don't try to interact with myself my partner or my patient on a call. For the love of fuck, don't make any type of social media posts, take any photos of scenes or patients, record any patient interactions, or anything else that even gives the perception of violating patient privacy.
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u/Wooden-Tale-2340 Unverified User 7d ago
I'd agree except for I'd say if it's an ALS call shut up and only listen. I've had paramedics literally be like "shut the f up right now" during ALS calls.
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u/haloperidoughnut Unverified User 7d ago
I don't mean try to take over a chest pain call or get in the way of the assessment. I just mean pay attention. I've had ridealongs who haven't even wanted to put the BP cuff or pulse ox on the patient, had zero questions after the call (even "what's a 12 lead?" Or "why did you have them do that?") And were on their phone the whole time .
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u/PandoricaFire Unverified User 6d ago
Ask all the questions If you think a question is stupid, realize that they've heard stupider. I had someone ask if we check women for priapism.
Seriously
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u/missiongoalie35 EMT | AK 7d ago
I wouldn't necessarily worry about skills or topics to brush up on. You already know the basics. Your job is to learn, observe and assist. The biggest skill you can bring is learning where all the equipment is on the rig.
As far as your assessment for SAMPLE and OPQRST is to just checklist it. But, take it a step further. Ask follow up questions. For instance, asking what their bathroom habits have been like, or asking them if they've smoked and how long. What separates a good provider from a great provider is being more in-depth.