Interview with a Flight Paramedic Essay

At 17 years old, I had the grueling task of deciding how I wanted to spend 40 plus years of my life. I always aspired to land a career in the medical field, so I majored in biology like most pre-med hopefuls, but during my junior year, I no longer desired to become a physician. The medical field was calling out to me, but the specialty of focus was incorrect. After graduation, I went back to the basics and put my nursing assistant certification to use.

A Paramedic (EMT-P) works directly with the public providing personal assistance, medical attention, and emotional support. They respond to medical emergencies providing on-scene treatment, crisis intervention, life-saving stabilization, and transport of ill or injured patients to a treatment center.

I have spent years preparing for the challenges and demands of working as a paramedic, having known since I WAS young, that I WANTED to enter into a demanding career that changes lives each and every day.

My father’s journey and the medical care provided for him inspired me to seek a career in the

Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why.” Personally, the second day came when I discovered the physician assistant profession and subsequently the Master of Physician Assistant program at MCPHS University. From then on all of my life experiences as an EMT, shadowing, and working have fervently inspired me to become the best possible physician assistant I can be.

The emergency lights light up the hallway as the ambulance pulls in, everybody's hearts are racing but composure is held, that bay door opens and the EMT’s rush in doing chest compressions while steering the stretcher with precision the patient is safely transferred to another bed, the CPR continues and another team takes over all with the intent to save this life. This is a brief description of the teamwork involved in emergency medicine. This is the typical thoughts one may have about an emergency situation, but what they don’t realize is all the teamwork involved in medicine in general. I chose to do my career investigation project on becoming a Physicians Assistant.

Choosing my career was not an easy choice but becoming a Medical Assistant would be my “foot in the door” to becoming a nurse. I started Alaska Career College in fall 2014 to become a Phlebotomist. I thought that with my experience as a medical receptionist, I can further my career as a medical assistant rather than a phlebotomist. I love to draw blood but because of my personality, I thought that maybe it would be more beneficial to become a medical assistant instead. As a young Hmong child, I loved helping people especially the older folks who did not speak English well. It is my goal to help others who are in need of help and because of that, I chose to become a Medical Assistant. I do hope that one day

Like most things in life becoming a paramedic is a process. To be a paramedic he/she must build on their education as a Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). When an EMT advances to Paramedic their education allows them to understand how a scene is operated, make use of their basic skill set, and manage stressful situations better. When an EMT begins their career they quickly learn a scene does not always operate the way the book says. Due to this reason, it is important that the EMT familiarize them self with real-life scene operations before they are placed in charge of patient care.

Emergency medical services has always been a part of me all throughout my life, from the time I was able to walk to now. Beginning when I was washing the ambulances into becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. Times throughout this have shaped and formed me in the direction I have taken. From the first call to going through the EMT course to today and what I see, it has all led me in a direction I am proud of for myself and for all those around me. The events I have been through and the scenes I have seen have each individually built me into a more caring and compassionate human.

Once when I was going through high school, it was my senior year and people constantly asked me. What profession I was going to do? I always said I do not know what I am going to do. Then a friend came and said that the A&P mechanics were always hiring. Therefore, my friend and I started talking about planes. I had always been interested in planes; I always wanted to be in the air force, I could not join the air force because of my glasses and medical conditions. When my friend found out that W.A.T.C. was teaching A&P mechanics. He influenced me to join W.A.T.C. to get my license to become an A&P mechanic.

Ssshh, BAM!” The front engine spewed out smoke, as the plane flew across the sky. “Can anyone hear me?”,The pilot screamed at the radio. Dead silence. A girl, Lisa, a thin, brown eye, black hair, fifteen year old girl who was in tenth grade who is hoping to be a paramedic. She still has a decide where to get that degree to be a paramedic. Lisa was reading a book on the right hand side of the pilot was screaming in fear knowing she wouldn’t survive. Then moments later, the pilot was down. Lisa quickly snatched the wheel and flew the plane. She grabbed the radio and said, “Is anyone there? Anyone? HELP ME!” Moments later she get a response.

Respiratory therapists have one of the most exciting and gratifying careers within the medical field. Unfortunately as with any other job or career, it doesn’t come without having challenging times. Respiratory therapists work along-side physicians and are highly trained to treat patients with any sort of lung concern or breathing complications. This job requires hands on care, and deals with life and death daily. One specific scope of this field involves caring for patients (of all ages) attached to mechanical ventilation. It is the respiratory therapists’ responsibility to remove assistive ventilation to patients with written order from the doctor; which ultimately results in death of the patient (Keene, Samples, Masini, Byington).

My training in the military was geared toward situations that held potential for the occurrence of emergency situations. Ranging from a deployment with the U.S.S Harry S. Truman aircraft career with VMFA-312 to my time in Guantanamo Bay, where I obtained my NRP, ACLS, EMT-B, and PALS certifications for the first time. After completing my 5 years of service I was honorably discharged, so that I could continue my pursue becoming a doctor. I obtained my medical assistance and phlebotomy license and worked full time in the emergency room as a lab technician, through my 3 years of undergrad. Overall my entire experience has helped me gain a respect and love of being an emergency medicine doctor.

The role of a paramedic has always intrigued me, and in return I have always wanted to follow the career path of one. The changing environments and the diversity of being a paramedic appeals to me greatly as I am not only used to changes of my situation, I also enjoy being taken out of my comfort zone and challenged with new opportunities and tasks. This suits my attitude and approach to work atmosphere as I work best in a team and I’m a flexible, quick thinking person who can speedily adapt to any circumstances while keeping a calm conduct which is one of the main reasons why I am suited to have a role within emergency services. I have constantly had a desire to help the public and I think pre-hospital care is one of the most effective ways I can do this. Paramedics are required deal with large amounts of stress, should think quickly and successfully work within the immediate zone of the accident, I personally believe I am suitable for this role as I want to preform

I appreciate the opportunity you gave me to speak with you about the Clinical Information Manager position at Emergency Medical Associates on last week Friday. The job seems to be a perfect match for my skills and interests, and our conversation confirmed my desire to work with you.