Emergency medical responders (EMRs) go through extensive training and are prepared for testing situations. Job is demand, and they play a vital role in saving lives before medical help arrives. Job includes making life and death decisions every day and comes with its own share of stress.
Many traits make emergency medical responders apt for the job. Here are seven must-have vital characteristics.
Strong Stomach
Anyone in emergency medical services must have an iron stomach, or they won’t last long. Blood, broken or several limbs, spilt guts are everyday encounters on-the-job. While responding calls, one has to be prepared for most horrifying situations and assist without hesitation.
Team Player
Emergency medical responders work as a part of a large team, and if you are someone who loves flying solo, it won’t be the right fit for you.
EMRs need to ride with someone and work together to provide the required medical support to help patients. They also need to coordinate with nurses and emergency staff. So, in such tense situations, one needs to be ready to work well with people.
Calm Under Pressure
‘Emergency’ is the keyword in the job title, and you could be walking into a panicked situation, as an emergency medical responder, your ability to not get caught up in the chaos and deliver the required aid. People’s lives are dependent on your ability to stay calm and handle the situation effectively.
Physical Fitness
Emergency medical responders work in various work settings such as long-term care homes, care facilities, oil and gas sectors, search and rescue and at the events. There is a certain degree of physical ability required to lift completely immobilized patients and heavy equipment.
Competence
In addition to physical fitness, EMRs are expected to have a high level of emergency medical knowledge and the best outcome for the patient. Knowledge of First –aid, CPR to successful intubation is also essential.
Adaptable
It is an unpredictable job, and emergency medical responders need to be flexible to adapt to any situation. Everything moves fast, and you would have to respond in a matter of minutes based on the case. Depending on the work setting, you will have to adapt to the culture and be open to learning as per job requirements.
Emotional Intelligence
You will interact with patients and their families in highly emotional situations. You should have the ability to act professionally and caring whilst keeping a check on the situations. You should know how to not let stressful situations overwhelm you, engage in emotional self-care and take care of your mental health.
Emergency Medical Responder Certification at Paramedic Academy, Mississauga
Paramedic Academy of BizTech College, Mississauga offers 44 Hours Emergency Medical Responder Certificate that provides knowledge and skills needed for appropriate patient assessments, interventions, and ongoing care, including patient transportation to a healthcare facility.
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