Another day down and more lessons learnt.
VERY busy day in the department, again I was in minors, seeing treating and discharging; with all my patients being discussed with lead consultant. This is important. Apparently a patient I saw the other day had a missed fracture. Had I not got the consultant to document he had reviewed the xeay with me it might have been difficult to explain. Another lesson in the importance of keeping good documentation!
More orthopaedic referrals today (incl an interesting patellar fracture that was initially missed by triage staff due to it bring relatively painless on palpation and the patient having no bony tenderness. Only real clue was unable to straight leg raise) as well as having to pursue the vulnerable child pathway for a young patient and assisting with relocating an anteriorly dislocated left shoulder under midazolam sedation.
I am on the road (RRV rapid response vehicle) today to keep skills up. Looking forward to getting head in books. Out will come the clinical examination books!
Back on we'd. Managed to get a copy of the consultants rota. Discovering who is more supportive/ enthusiastic about the role amd trying to work/learn with them!
Monday 28 February 2011
Sunday 27 February 2011
Week 2 completed!
Going really well and enjoying it immensely.
Spent most of this week working in minors, selecting patients, assessing, treating and discharging. All under the close supervision of the consultant in charge.
At this stage all my patients are being reviewed by the consultant in charge as a safety net. There is a lot to get my head around, especially in terms of care pathways. Even discharging a patient and ensuring they are capable of managing at home is fraught with complications!
I have found myself referring patients to specialities, seeing treating and discharging, assisting in manipulations under anaesthesia, closing wounds, learning and performing ring blocks amongst other things.
I have discovered that a really sound underpinning knowledge of anatomy is vital if anyone is interested in the role, get your head in the books! It gives you really good credibility with the doctors if you are good in this area.
Most people are being really supportive which is a big relief!
I'm able to be a bit more selective with shifts too which is good.
Roll on next week...
Going really well and enjoying it immensely.
Spent most of this week working in minors, selecting patients, assessing, treating and discharging. All under the close supervision of the consultant in charge.
At this stage all my patients are being reviewed by the consultant in charge as a safety net. There is a lot to get my head around, especially in terms of care pathways. Even discharging a patient and ensuring they are capable of managing at home is fraught with complications!
I have found myself referring patients to specialities, seeing treating and discharging, assisting in manipulations under anaesthesia, closing wounds, learning and performing ring blocks amongst other things.
I have discovered that a really sound underpinning knowledge of anatomy is vital if anyone is interested in the role, get your head in the books! It gives you really good credibility with the doctors if you are good in this area.
Most people are being really supportive which is a big relief!
I'm able to be a bit more selective with shifts too which is good.
Roll on next week...
Wednesday 23 February 2011
Half way through my second week in the department and learning a lot! I am working directly for the consultants and am being allocated patients and tasks by them on a case by case basis, referring back to them after each assessment and discussing management plans and treatment options.
Most consultants are aware of what we are trying to achieve but a couple, I think, are not quite sure where it is going which makes quite a big difference to my day. I am still trying to get to grips with the dept and have found there is a lot to learn. New, common, proceedures such as blood/ABG sampling, forms, kit and departmental processes are going to take time to learn before I can be more useful.
I still feel a little like a fish out of water but am slowly beginning to see my role and it's potential, although I have to say the ECP kill set and good A&P skills are a pre requisite if you are to hold your own.
Today I am getting my IT training for the computer systems which will enable me to book out my own patients, really looking forward to doing this, one step closer to becoming useful! I also plan to spend a day with the resuscitate nurse to get familiar with proceedures and kit in resus, I have written a long list of objectives that I want to achieve.
The support from the senior docs/ consultants has been great! I am also becoming proficient at explaining my role as everyone is interested. In short; not a doctor, not a nurse but developing a new role for paramedics working in ED!
Most consultants are aware of what we are trying to achieve but a couple, I think, are not quite sure where it is going which makes quite a big difference to my day. I am still trying to get to grips with the dept and have found there is a lot to learn. New, common, proceedures such as blood/ABG sampling, forms, kit and departmental processes are going to take time to learn before I can be more useful.
I still feel a little like a fish out of water but am slowly beginning to see my role and it's potential, although I have to say the ECP kill set and good A&P skills are a pre requisite if you are to hold your own.
Today I am getting my IT training for the computer systems which will enable me to book out my own patients, really looking forward to doing this, one step closer to becoming useful! I also plan to spend a day with the resuscitate nurse to get familiar with proceedures and kit in resus, I have written a long list of objectives that I want to achieve.
The support from the senior docs/ consultants has been great! I am also becoming proficient at explaining my role as everyone is interested. In short; not a doctor, not a nurse but developing a new role for paramedics working in ED!
Tuesday 22 February 2011
So...Whats it all about?
I have been in the ambulance Service for ten years and I am currently a Paramedic Training Officer for a UK Ambulance Trust.
I have also recently completed my Emergency Care Practitioners PG Dip and am working towards a MSc in Remote Healthcare.
Over the last year I have been setting up a project with the local Emergency Department and the lead consultant. The plan is to create a new role within the ED of a Emergency Department Paramedic. The ED Paramdic will work directly for the consultant in charge of the shift and be fully accountable to him. The exact nature of the role is uncertain but is intended to mirror quite closely the Physicians Assistant role used in the US.
On the 14th February I began a 6 month, full time, pilot study to see whether this role will be effective...
I have also recently completed my Emergency Care Practitioners PG Dip and am working towards a MSc in Remote Healthcare.
Over the last year I have been setting up a project with the local Emergency Department and the lead consultant. The plan is to create a new role within the ED of a Emergency Department Paramedic. The ED Paramdic will work directly for the consultant in charge of the shift and be fully accountable to him. The exact nature of the role is uncertain but is intended to mirror quite closely the Physicians Assistant role used in the US.
On the 14th February I began a 6 month, full time, pilot study to see whether this role will be effective...
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