6 Rookie EMT Mistakes to AVOID

As a new EMT, there is a lot of on-the-job training. While you have learned about medical and traumatic emergencies, patient assessment, and some anatomy and physiology in school, there is a lot more to master in EMS.

I sat down and thought about the top 6 mistakes that new EMTs typically make so you can AVOID them when you are brand new in EMS. If you are getting started in EMS or inside EMT school now, this video will give you massive clarity on your EMT Journey.

Let me know in the comments what would be your top 6 mistakes that a new EMT makes!

Be Great!

Evan, The Paramedic Coach®

#TheParamedicCoach #NewEMT #EMT

Watch even more from The Paramedic Coach®

How to PASS NREMT Exams:

How to DOCUMENT and Write Great NARRATIVES:

How to Get STRONG and FIT as a new EMT:

When to call ALS; When to call a Paramedic Intercept:

Paramedic Coach REACTS to NIGHTWATCH:

[jackluke]

I'm in my second week of training doing IFT and have literally made all 6 of these mistakes multiple times. My career in EMS is off to a great start

[angellares]

I just started as an EMT and I’ve been struggling with basics like vitals and patient assessment. The person training me said I tend to second guess myself. It’s been frustrating because I really wanna get it right.

[Happypappytappy]

Great points. I was an EMT before med school. Biggest thing not visualized while in EMT school is the actual taking patients off scene and going en route to the hospital. They teach the course like you’re a doctor in the clinic lol.

[znovosad]

as an FTO in commercial EMS hybrid 911/IFT the biggest thing i can’t stress enough is come to work prepared. Bring a pen, a notebook, and invest in a good stethoscope. Be early to your shift, be presentable and be ready and open to learn. Ask lots of questions. I don’t care how many years you have elsewhere, come in like you’re brand new and i’ll figure out where and what needs to be done to train you to company standards. Every company is different. especially because i only have 4-5 days to train any of my new hires. that could be a brand new EMT, or an experienced.

[chasitybarrett]

I’m in EMT basics and just saying this helped me so much.

[rafael]

Can’t get over how grateful I am to have find this channel. Basic EMT Courses for the one I’ve taken at least teach almost at a paramedic level but with our County Protocols we can’t do much of it so a lot of information is overlooked for me and this is the best instructor ever for stripping everything down

[Maddawg]

Good stuff lol- made a few of them when I was a new emt (5 year medic now). Just want to add two cents though for #5. Moving fast does not mean rush. It means take initiative and be efficient. Rushing is no good. It makes many stress out unnecessarily, adds stress to pt, and is a good way to make mistakes. Don’t rush. When we rush, people get hurt and die.

[huwguyver]

If you're not in the job yet then working as a (non-emergency) Patient Transport Officer will help you with the "learning your way around town" and a good amount of the "equipment familiarisation" parts of the job mentioned in this video. In that job you have time to dig out a street directory and navigate to the job the old-school way, which will really help you learn your way around- which in turn is critical when you are deciding where to rendezvous with backup en-route to hospital.

I was a PTO for several years before becoming a paramedic and it really helped me.

[corymcmullan]

Starting my EMT career next month with a 911 company! Excited, nervous, and open-minded. Want to become a paramedic eventually. Thanks!

[voxspit]

If your school offers externships TAKE IT. Helps a lot because equipment varies from company to company. You are also more likely to get the job when you apply. To familiarize yourself with the company by doing an externship beforehand makes you a great asset. Also you can add it to your resume if you’d like.

[rhoonah]

I think learning the roads is a good idea and I did that a bit when first started but it will come to you. GPS's also help with this a lot. What I think is more important is finding the most common routes to the hospitals but also learn where the ambulance entrances to the hospitals are located... where to park, how to get in, door codes, where to bring the patient, etc.

Moving fast is a relative concept too. The SEALS say "slow is smooth and smooth is fact". Going to fast can cause more problems than it solves. Be fast, but be accurate.

[forest]

Taking the steps to be Firefighter/EMT - to paramedic. Thank you so much for your content and help!

[chasitybarrett]

When I first started and I was doing clinicals they wouldn’t have me take a manual bp cause they just done it with the monitor and I just now got comfortable taking blood pressures by doing it on myself knowing exactly where the artery is and where to place the stethoscope!!!

[savvvynobrain]

I’m a emt student and I’ve been watching your videos while studying or in my free time and I’ve got to say you have some great information and your a good teacher when my nremt test comes up I’m definitely buying a subscription

[mikaeelsamodien]

saving up to go to paramedic school next year and using your videos to just get ready for the time being. been super helpful 🔥

[Asfkvifjennw]

I’ve only down private transport for 2 years now. I haven’t been fully comfortable doing 911 yet but now that I’m leaning to start doing it, this has been very helpful!

[cop]

When it comes to documentation I like to tell others you do a great job with patient care now prove it on paper

[Manperor]

I've gotten pretty good at checking and restocking the truck but i DO NOT know the roads which sucks because now, today, i have my second attempt at the supervisor clearance ride to see if I know where the posts are.

[ApacheX]

Got my first ambulance ride along this Friday. (Just waiting for my medical examination certificate for my ambulance cert to apply) so this couldn't come at a better time. Thank you.

[kamballs]

I'm currently an EVO, a driver, and almost all the emts leave it up to me to take care of all the truck check. I'm like, yea sure, but you should know too. I could definitely take more time to know the roads though