Things to bring:

• Bring a reliable device capable of accessing the student portal and FISDAP during your shift. Familiarize yourself with these tools beforehand to ensure smooth use. Do not use the FISDAP mobile app—instead, access it through a web browser. The student portal works well on your cellphone, but be sure to enable pop-up blockers and location services when prompted. Bring chargers for all devices! 
• Bedding (Night shift or 24+ hour shifts) - Sleeping bag, sheets, pillow, blanket, etc. Some sites have different sized beds, so make sure you know what size to bring or bring universal bedding such as a sleeping bag.
  
• Toiletries to freshen up/shower (24+ hour shifts) - Not all sites have showers to freshen up, but if they do, you may be able to utilize them.
• Extra uniform/work out clothes - Some sites may have trainings that you may be invited to participate in. You may also get blood or other bodily fluids on your uniform during a call. Instead of having to go home or stay in an unclean uniform, keep a spare in your bag/vehicle.
• Stethoscope, pen light, trauma sheers, laptop/tablet, notebook, study materials, etc.
• Extra cash/packed lunch and snacks - You may or may not have a chance to stop for a meal, so make sure you have extra cash and snacks to get you through your shift.
• A positive attitude!

Before the shift begins:

• Check in to your shift via the student portal by clicking the Check-In button. You are required to submit an appropriate selfie upon arrival.
  
• Introduce yourself
  
• Ask your preceptor what is expected of you.
• Tell your preceptor that you would like a Print Summary from the cardiac monitor after each call. This will show all the vital signs of the patient from when you first placed them on the cardiac monitor through the duration of the call. Note that not all print summaries will track pulse rate.
• Tell your preceptor what you hope to learn today! Some preceptors will be excellent at teaching you as they go and checking with you between calls to see if you have any questions. Others will not offer up the information unless you ask for it. Be the student that is eager to learn. Do not be the student who sits on their phone and hides in the corner during calls.
• Tell your preceptor what section of coursework you have been through! This will help them gauge what topic might need extra explaining.

During the shift:

• Be present on calls. Do not have your head in your notebook during calls, trying to write every piece of information you hear. When the call is done, ask your preceptor to go over the information with you. Utilize your PCR cheat sheet (attached) or a notebook. 
  

  Document each patient you see by logging mandatory patient notes in the portal. This is VERY important! After seeing a patient (or before checking out of a busy shift), log their information, including basic demographics and at least one set of vital signs—more if possible. Remember, two sets of vital signs are required for EMS transports. You can only document patients in FISDAP if you added them to the portal before checking out of your shift.
• Help on calls. You are not a bystander and you won't learn by standing around. If your preceptor asks you to do something and you're not sure what they mean, tell them "I do not know how to do that. Can you show me?" Every person who has ever entered this field has had to learn how to do everything at one point. it is not embarrassing to ask for help!
• Do not interrupt your preceptor, but do not be afraid to ask questions. If you want to practice your SAMPLE/OPQRST questions, either ask your preceptor if you can try asking those questions or find a good opening to ask the questions when your preceptor is completing a task or not asking questions. You may feel awkward at first, but everyone feels that way at first.
• Get comfortable with touching patients. You may be very gentle when first learning to put a blood pressure cuff on, as not to hurt the patient or you may be nervous to attach a 12-lead due to having to expose a patient's chest, however, this is part of the job. Just remember to always tell your patient what you will be doing and to maintain patient decency. Remember, Primum Respectum Date means "First, Give respect".
  

After the shift:

• Complete the check-out process in the portal before leaving. Your preceptor must complete a step in this process, so be sure they stay until it’s fully submitted. After they finish their part, follow the prompts to finalize check-out on your end. 
  
• Your preceptor must complete all the preceptor-required evaluations and the preceptor signoff in FISDAP prior to you leaving the site. Additionally, you as the student need to complete student-required evaluations in FISDAP as well.

  

  See the list HERE of which evaluations are required and the step-by-step instructions on how to gather those requirements!
• Ask your preceptor what they think you can improve on going forward.
• Offer to help restock the truck, please!
• Thank your preceptor for taking the time to teach you today!
  
• Document all patient encounters in FISDAP within 48 hours of your shift end-time.

  

  Click HERE for examples of how to document various types of patient encounters. Texas EMS School has strict documentation guidelines to ensure your competency and readiness for the career field.