training for new medics

[rgfiremedic]

I was wondering what if any rules, regulations or sog's any of you have in regards to newly licensed medics running calls with or with out a mentor medic. Why you ask! well I am a new medic Licensed since May and have been thrust into the cruel world with out a back up.

[firechic]

We have a FTO (field training officer) program. The learning objectives are pretty extensive and the training officer has TONS of paperwork to file. The program length depends upon the individual's learning and previous experience. The average for a new medic and new hire is around 4-5 months. A new medic is not authorized to run a call without his/her FTO present. Even after we take your "training wheels" off, a new paramedic must be assigned to ride with a senior medic.
Hope that helps!

[DaSharkie]

We have a training program where you are evaluated at the end of every shift and a bigger review at the end of every week.

Minimum time to have Firechic's "Training Wheels" taken off is 144 hours, but that is usually only for an experienced Paramedic. You are only released when the supervisors feel that you are ready. A Paper trail is kept of procedures, evaluations, and the like.

Most services could benefit from a true, dedicated training program, but I find the Private Services tend to lack this training more than public services. Unfortunately both sides are woefully under trained in preparing people to hit the streets which is sad.

[smurfe]

Our FTO process is similar to those described already. Almost exactly the same as Firechic's.

A minimum of 14, 12 hour shifts with a Unit Commander. It is very very rare to be released from FTO in that time frame. Average seem to be in the mid 20's for shifts. You are then put with a Senior Medic if you are inexperienced.

Smurfe :beer:

[RyanEMVFD]

our new medics precept with another medic. They can run the calls but can not take anything critical. Then after about a month or two, they reach the midway and get evaluated by another medic. If they pass they can then take critical patients but are still precepting. Then after another month or two they are evaluated by yet another medic and can be cleared.

We just started a program where current employees that are in a paramedic school (such as me) can start working on the first part of getting cleared. I just can't take any patients yet that a medic would unless I'm as a third rider then I can run the calls with a medic watching. Then when I get my little red patch I do my midway and can start taking critical patients. There's more to it but I don't feel like typing all that much. My fingers hurt now.

[ehfireems]

Where I work once you have your state paramedic license, your employer submits your application for medical control to the hospital for review. Once approved, you take your regional protocol exam. After passing that with a score of 80% or better, you are given a letter of temporary medical control for the purpose of precepting. This allows you to function as a medic only when you are with your preceptor. The company will than assign you to a preceptor and you ride as a crew of three. As the preceptee you do everything with your preceptor watching you. Each preceptor has a different way of doing things. Mine was really good about letting me develop my own style as a medic and giving me constructive feedback. He has an evaluation form that he has to fill out on each call, along with weekly reviews. Once he feels you are ready for the streets on your own (usually 30-50 ALS calls depending on the preceptee), he submits a final evaluation. You than have to spend a day riding with your medical control (or a representative of). If they approve, you are given your full letter of medical control and cut loose on your own. It seems to work for us.
Shane
FFI/NREMT-P

[firechic]

Oh, I did forget to mention the battery of tests a paramedic trainee must pass. You would have to take the general EMS test which consists of scenerios, triage, SOPs, daily ops. Next, a protocol test written by the medical director (they're pretty tough). It's an open book test and there has NEVER been ANYONE who has scored a 100! A skills test and last, an address/ driving test. THEN you can have your training wheels taken off.

[smurfe]

Oh, I did forget to mention the battery of tests a paramedic trainee must pass. You would have to take the general EMS test which consists of scenerios, triage, SOPs, daily ops. Next, a protocol test written by the medical director (they're pretty tough). It's an open book test and there has NEVER been ANYONE who has scored a 100! A skills test and last, an address/ driving test. THEN you can have your training wheels taken off.
It is interesting that they let you pass the open book test without a 100% score. I have taught numerous EMT-A/B, I and P classes. I have always had open book tests for every test except the finals (state wouldn't let me) in every class I have taught. I required a 100% score on an open book test to pass.

I am a firm believer in this form of testing. I have found if the student reads the question then looks up the answer plus knowing they have to score 100%, they retain what they are looking up and score much better on their state tests or Registry. Instead of reading a question and guessing at an answer they don't know, they look it up, learn it and retain it. In 25 years I have never had a student I taught the didactic portion to fail a state or registry test.

Smurfe :beer:

[firechic]

The medical director never expects anyone to make 100% on his tests. Like I said, it's open book; however, I never said that we could find the answers in the book!!! lol
In our system, the medical director is the only one who instructs the classes and they are pretty in depth. I actually wish we could get some sort of college credit for them!!

[celestialdaisy]

One service I work for you can start precepting before you're certified, and then you go through a basic 120 hour precepting after your certified and have to have your checklist filled out. It can be done with any medic on staff. The other service you must be certified to precept. They require extensive precepting (As an EMT you have to precept a minimum 112 hours, as well as pass written tests and mock senarios with 100% passes). Around here you never just get thrown into the mix, you get your hand held untill they are sure that you know what you are doing, not just because a peice of paper says so. (Not meaning that you don't, but there are some people.... :confused: )

[Garyb3985]

When I got my P licence we had to do X number of ALS runs(you do all Pt care) 5 I beleve , 3 IV's a drug push or two ,and a field tube. With a preceptor.There were 3 of us on the same shift so if there was a call that even sounded like a full arrest we all ran to "assist" the crew that recieved the call . It was kinda funny seeing 3 rigs pull up and 3 guys open the doors running with laryngoscope in hand to see how could get to the door first !

Now one must do this with a supervisor cause they are the only ones deemed worthy of being a preceptor.

[rgfiremedic]

I want to Thank everyone for their comments to this, I have already taken some of this up with the administration, hopefully, something positive will come out of all of this. Till then we do what we can and Pray that we (Me) doesn't do permanent harm to someone. The County Medical Control is already looking into changes but as we all know that will take time. I appreciate all the feedback. and be safe out there!