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!