Role of Paramedic Mentors in an Evolving Profession, Essay Example

Introduction

EMT’s are commonly referred to as emergency medical technicians and they are the first ones to arrive on the scene after an emergence. These emergencies can range from a car accident to an attempted suicide. So many lives are saved by the actions of EMT’s. They are able to respond quickly and remain calm under pressure. Consequently, this profession is not for the faint of heart (Vanderpol, Gist, Braverman, & Labardee, 2006). Those who are affected by an emergency depend upon those who can work well under pressure (Vanderpol, Gist, Braverman, & Labardee, 2006).Paramedics or EMT’s take care of those injured while transporting them to a medical facility. Paramedics work with firefighters and police to respond to emergencies on a daily basis. While transporting the injured, one person remains with the victim while the other drives. EMT’s are broken down into three designations: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic. EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate both are responsible for giving on scene care and providing the injured with transportation to a hospital or medical facility. However, paramedics are able to give additional help by providing pre-hospital care. They can administer medicine, operate EKG’s machinery, and interpret the reading.  The field of EMT can be a rewarding career for many because for those that choose the field, the pros outweigh the cons.

Income

An annual report by the BLS documents that EMTs/paramedics earn between 31,000 and 55,000 per year. The lowest paid in the profession only made about 20,000 per year. Nevertheless, these workers were in rural areas, while the highest paid worked in metropolitan areas (Armitage, 2010).      

Need

In recent years, there has been an increased need for EMTs/paramedics because of the increase in the aging population. According to statistics, the EMT field is expected to expand more than 24 percent between the years of 2013-2022. If these numbers are correct, this means that more than 56, 000 new jobs will be available in the profession (Armitage, 2010).

Training

All EMTs must have a high school diploma or GED to enter a formal emergency medical training technician program (Armitage, 2010).  The training level varies depending upon the level the candidate desires to work in. In order to work as a basic EMT, a candidate must be trained in emergency skills of general patient assessment. This will include assisting patients suffering from a heart attack, any type of trauma, and breathing impairments. The candidate will be required to complete classwork and hands-on experience in a medical facility and emergency transport vehicle. The candidate will be trained in basic equipment like stretchers, oxygen machines, and backboards. At the intermediate level, the candidate will learn all that is offered in the basic training in addition to skills dealing with intravenous fluids and breathing devices. The candidate must complete between 30 and 350 hours of classroom and hands-on training (Armitage, 2010).  The amount of time varies from state to state. Finally, paramedics receive and extensive training that includes both basic and intermediate training for EMTs. Paramedic training is centralized around anatomy, physiology, and other medical skills. Paramedic training programs typically take two years to complete with candidates receiving an associate degree in the field. The final step in become a paramedic is passing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination to become certified (Armitage, 2010).

Pros & Cons

Being a paramedic can be a great experience, but as with any job there are pros and cons. According to Regehr, being a paramedic is an emotionally and physically draining (2005). Miller added that many EMT’s have taken their own lives as a result of being unable to cope with the stress of the job (1995). Sansone & Sansone quoted one EMT working saying, “constantly changing cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage specific external and/or internal demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding the resources of a person” (2011). In other words, this job is not for everyone. Nevertheless, I believe what I will enjoy most about this field is being able to help others. Helping someone is one of the greatest experiences one can experience. Another great aspect of this job is the lack of constant supervision. As an adult, being constantly watched and reminded what you should do can prove bothersome. Consequently, working as a paramedic, you are your own boss. A third plus is the fact that people will appreciate what you do. One will always get thank you’s and other random acts of kindness. Yet, there are several cons. The greatest drawback is completing paperwork. Because most paramedics work for governmental agencies, there is a ton of paper work to complete. Another drawback is being blamed when a situation does not end favorable. Many times it said if only the paramedics would have gotten here faster or if only the paramedics would have continued CPR. The list of mistakes goes on and on. Yet, each paramedic is doing his/her best to provide the victim with the best care possible. Finally, being a paramedic means that you may be working when others are enjoying family. For example, you may have to go on a call on Christmas or New Year’s Day. This takes away valuable time you could be spending with family on what is considered family holidays creating what Sansone & Sansone called the Christmas effect. Essentially, those who work in the EMT field become anxious during the holidays because they are on edge about going on call. Even when they are spending time with family, they have difficulty relaxing and enjoying themselves.

References

Armitage, E. (2010). Role of paramedic mentors in an evolving profession. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 2(1), 26-31.

Miller, L. (1995). Tough guys: Psychotherapeutic strategies with law enforcement and emergency services personnel. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice and Training., 32(4).

Regehr, C. (2005). Bringing the trauma home: Spouses of paramedics. Journal of Loss and Trauma., 10, 97-114.

Sansone, R., & Sansone, L. (2011). The Christmas effect on psychopathology. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience., 8(12), 10-13.

Vanderpol, B., Gist, R., Braverman, M., & Labardee, L. (2006). Strategic Specialty Partnerships. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 21(3), 119-131.