Learning Styles and the Paramedic Student

You will spend the rest of your life...

STUDYING!!!

I had a recent discussion with a soon to be finished paramedic student about what sort of time requirements were necessary to be successful in paramedic school. The vast majority of folks I come across speak of spending a lot of time studying. I think that stems from people's uncertainty about what type of learner they are.

I think a great disservice that is done to the vast majority of learners out there is not establishing a preferred learning style early on. I'll try to explain this better, so maybe this will help.

DISCLAIMER: This is a somewhat controversial model, but its the only one I have learned, in multiple fields. I guess maybe that is why it isn't widespread in the regular education system...

Wikipedia calls it Fleming's VAK/VARK Model. The idea is that everyone has a preferred method of disseminating information.

There are three methods:

• Auditory
• Visual
• Kinesthetic

Auditory learners typically learn best by hearing things ("Can you explain that to me?"). They typically don't need to watch a speaker, and are easily distracted by background noise. Visual learners do best by seeing things. Kinesthetic learners do best by doing. Exercises, homework and practice is key for them.

A good teacher will incorporate every style into the lesson, but that doesn't help what a learner does on their own time. 

Here is a quiz from AES education planner.Org for testing learning styles.

I think that if paramedic students are aware of their specific learning style, then it will be much easier for them to focus on how they should study, instead of wasting time.

While taking National Ski Patrol Instructor Development course I found out that the vast majority of Ski Patrollers are kinesthetic learners, and the majority of NSP's curriculum is geared towards that. I wouldn't be surprised to find that Emergency Medical Professionals are much the same way.

If that was the case, it would make sense for Paramedic Education to be difficult, because a lot of Medic school is....academic, for lack of a better word, and that kind of thing is definitely hard to teach kinesthetically. That would also explain why EMTs need to be taught that being a Medic is not about the skillz.

The Application Process - Documentation

There is a lot of documentation involved with applying to a paramedic education program. No more or less really than any other college program, but definitely more than someone who expects to just walk in.

A Current Resume
How much does a resume matter in the scope of things when it comes to a job? It definitely says a lot when you don't have one. One ambulance service that I applied to twice (first time-no resume, second time-sent one) only called me back for an interview on the second instance, and they were even hiring. Resume skills are important in life in general. There is no standard about what makes a good resume, but for entry level positions, I'd say it is good to keep it to one page.

EMS Credentials
Kind of a given I guess.

Proof of Health Insurance
I was kind of suprised by this one, but luckily for where I live, health insurance is avaliable to everyone.

A Letter of Recommendation from the Head of my EMS service
They spelled my name wrong, I was definitely annoyed by this. I went to pick it up right before my interview, so I guess I can take the blame, but in the end, I guess it didn't matter. 

Documentation of 50 calls as the primary responder over the past 12 months.
I guess this is a given as well, but if I was working as a volunteer for a a rural service one day a week, it might be a stretch.

A copy of my High School Diploma and College Transcripts(where applicable)
A lot of people aren't really "academic" which is okay, but to get through paramedic training, I think you need to have at least a basic level of academic proficiency and study habits, I will provide a post about learning styles this saturday.

This was a list of things that I was required to bring to the interview. But there was more...

A letter of recommendation from Medical Director of EMS service
I think that this was kind of meaningless, being that I have never met or seen the Med. Director of my service, but my program wanted this letter to state at least that there were no clinical issues that would keep me from finishing. Since my Medical Director isn't my PCP, I don't know how he/she would know this.

A Health Evaluation form
This had to be filled out by my PCP.

Proof of Childhood MMR immunizations
Also a given, working in Healthcare setting

Proof of Hep. B immunizations
Like I told the nurse at my PCP, I don't want some crackhead spitting blood in my face.

PPD test for TB
Another obvious one, I think its required by OSHA.

This was quite a list of things to compile, but if someone is working in Emergency Medicine already, it wouldn't be too bad.

The Application Process - The Beginning

Since I still have a few weeks before things get started, I figure I can talk about what the application process was like for the Paramedic Program I am enrolled in.


How did I pick my program?

I didn't have many choices living where I do, but I knew I didn't want to get involved with a Community College based program, because years ago I took an EMT-B class as a CC, and wasn't very happen with the outcomes, I never took the National Registry test then, because I was out of the country at the time, and I really don't think I had the maturity level to be working in healthcare at the time (I know right?). I also already have an Associate's and a Bachelor's degree, so I was really only interested in getting my paramedic education. I didn't need any more pieces of paper.

Scheduling was also an issue, my program meets one day a week, and I can schedule clinicals around my work schedule. The school is also a 2.5 hour drive, so only making that once a week is definitely better for me.

I also took my EMT-B at a place that was specifically in the business of EMS training, and I was happy with the outcomes of the program, it was definitely more expensive, but the instructors were full-time instructors, and we were able to take the National Registry test at the school, using the equipment that we were familiar and practicing with.


Once I chose what program I was going to do, there was quite a list of things that I had to do, and I will go over them one by one.

• Preliminary Application
• Interview/Testing
• Documentation

Preliminary Application

This application was quick and easy, my national registry number and basic information (address, phone, etc). I think it was a $75 application fee

This was done all on line, through the Program's website.

I will post about the Interview process, as well as all the documentation I needed later.

Paramedic School

My name is Devin, and I am an Nationally Registered EMT Basic, working for a for-profit Ambulance company in a New England State.

A few years ago, in my attempt to forestall responsibility, I stumbled onto Emergency Medicine through Alpine Ski Patrolling.

In about a month, I will begin the 18 month journey of becoming a paramedic in New England. I will be attending an accredited Hospital Sponsored Paramedic Program . I decided that this would be the best course of action. I think that I will get a better education from a school that is specifically designed for Paramedic Education, and not some mixed bag of who knows what from a for-profit or community college. A long time ago, I took an EMT-B course from a community college, I never took the test, and the experience left a bad taste in my mouth.

When I started to look into becoming a Paramedic, I looked for other's experiences with various programs, and I thought that the experience would make a good blog, I named the works Surviving Paramedic School because when I get through the works, hopefully I will have some pointers for those that come after me.

Once things are over, I will continue to put entries about things I found, in a half-hearted attempt to keep the newly undead-zombie-blog-that-has-outlived-it-natural-life relevant.