Emergency medical professionals are some of the best and brightest in the world of emergency response, but what sets a great EMT out from the rest? What qualities do we at Gold Cross Ambulance look for when we’re interviewing prospective candidates for a position on our team?
In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the skills and qualities that great medical professionals have that make them an asset on an emergency response team.
Qualities Of Great EMTs
Each member of an emergency response team is unique and can provide assistance in different ways, but we’ve found that certain qualities tend to be more common among great EMS personnel. Those qualities include:
Adaptive – One thing we look for in all of our team members is the ability to adapt on the fly. Every single day is going to be different from the last, and great EMTs will be able to adapt and react to any situation. If you’re looking to do the same thing day in and day out, emergency response isn’t right for you. A great EMT will be able to respond accordingly given ever-changing circumstances.
Calm Under Pressure – Some people work best under pressure while others get nervous or freeze up when the spotlight is on them. Not every call is going to be a life or death situation, but when situations are intense and every second counts, we need people who are going to be able to remain calm and do right by the patient. It’s easy to lose focus during an emergency, but a great EMT will stay calm under pressure so that they can provide the right care.
Great Communicator – Communication is crucial during an emergency situation. Oftentimes team members will help in different ways at an emergency scene, but it’s imperative that they share information with one another to provide the best care for the patient. A great EMT will share information they’ve learned about a scene or announce what types of treatment they are providing so that others on the team can stay informed and continue to provide a high level of care.
Compassionate – It’s important to remember that each patient is somebody’s father, mother or child, and a little bit of compassion goes a long way. Oftentimes emergency personnel help to comfort family members or provide reassurance at the scene of an accident. It may seem like just another call, but to the family receiving care, it could be the worst day of their life. Being compassionate with patients and their family members is a must for anyone working in emergency response.
Organized – While an emergency scene can be full of chaos and disarray, the people that respond to a crisis need to be anything but. We rely on our team members to be organized when they’re on a call or while they’re documenting their paperwork. If supplies aren’t where they are expected to be or crucial paperwork isn’t filed, patient care can suffer. Great EMTs will be highly organized individuals.
If you exemplify these qualities and are looking for a rewarding career in emergency response, reach out to the team at Gold Cross Ambulance. We’re always looking to add great team members to our staff. For more information, reach out to our team today at (920) 727-3020.
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