Quick question

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2011

Hello there cardiac.cure03 -

Great question!

I was catching up on the other postings and you just answered your previous question. The question you just asked may very well go to the point of the other - "tell us what you would do if you were in a situation and you and your partner, who is equally skilled, cannot agree on a course of action as it relates to a critical patient" - how would you handle it?

Most questions are about how you interact and handle different situations. There are some excellent clinicians that are not a good fit for some flight spots. The elusive "good fit" is key. These folks will be picking someone they have to live and work with (in most cases) and although great clinicians are essential that is only part of the job.

These folks will know your "background" and are expecting that you can prioritize - assess and accurately provide care within what environment you present yourself as skilled in. I'd be shocked that anyone would ask you what you'd do if you stepped off the helo into a multi-car pile up on the interstate. So, if you presnet yourself as having solid CCU - expect that some technical ???'s will follow in that area. Likewise, as I was a medic (and a real one) they expected that I could answer the scene ???'s too.

They are looking for how you critically think and handle the unexpected (and the communication that goes along with it). If you see the world as black and white (right or wrong - not race related) then you may find that flight work is as gray as it comes and you will be in hell. Really. There are often situations where there is not a single solution. Be prepared for that.

Otherwise - as with any position.

* Arrive on time (between 10-20 early). Be organized.

* Dress well. Business casual is not enough. Guys - suit and tie. Ladies - think morning meeting with your hospital president or as a presenter at a professional conference. Professional make-up and hair for the ladies - guys, be neat and clean cut IMHO - it still matters. No perfume. Clean, well-fitting clothes do matter. Ditto shoes - ladies avoid the stilletos and cleavage - it just makes you look too tart-ish and in this line of work that is BAD. If you smoke - take care in some circles not to smell of it (sure, it may be a base culture thing, but if I had to pick over 2 equal folks - I'd take the non-smoker - easier to "live with" for me - though that is just one opinion. I'd also kick the perfume divas or dudes to the curb - see easier to live with...)

* Be able to shake hands with folks. No limp noodles. Simple, direct. No "hillbilly hand-fishing strong" either.

* Bring extra copies of your resume.

* Be respectful of the facilities and folks. Follow with real handwritten THANK YOU notes in real MAIL.

* Do research on the company and REMEMBER you are interviewing them too. Be prepared to ask questions. Don't get too starry eyed. This is a job - taking sick (or should be) folks from one location to anther and providing great top rate care and being great at customer service (the patient, the referring agenciy, ground and hospital folks - you have a lot of customers). This job is one that has the real potential to get you DEAD - and in that way, you need to know what you need to know. Safety first. Get a "funny feeling" or answers that leave you cold - this is not the opportunity you want. Say it again - this is a JOB. You can get KILLED in this environment - be very discriminating. NTSB.gov has a searchable database on HEMS accidents via companies - also, concern-network.org has an Archive that details HEMS accidents and incidents. Look at it. When you have a HEMS funeral and lose a friend it is so much worse than the worse day at the hospital.

* Check out http://www.flightweb.com - Mike Mimms has some great tips for folks seeking flight jobs - search "Forums" and either by name of "interview tips" - he does this well and far better than what I can do - and remember this with that tidbit - if something is good and works - don't be too quick to re-invent the wheel.

Most all are looking for clear, organized and RESPECTFUL communication. I think that most hire for attitude - presuming that all other skills are present and equal between applicants. I actually think that depending on the company you are looking to work for and their mission profile (do they do scene work or primarily transfer work) and their average line clinician (lots of turnover? vs someone has to retire for a spot to open and the folks they hire - do they have the "minimum" or a decade of "high-end experience") that the RN that brings rock solid critical care experience to the party is a great fit. After all, most fly RN-Medic and most medics worth their weight have solid scene and trauma management skills. Teamwork is everything!

Some states do have additional requirements for flight nurses - some actually require EMT-B before hire and others give you some time to meet that reg. Some have regs that specify trauma courses or their (state mandated) coursework.

Good Luck on the interview! Let us know how it goes!

:anpom:

Rio, ASN, RN · Sep 22, 2011

Trust

Mostly we're all coming from the same place, we want whats best for our patient. If there is a disagreement try looking to the other view.

Communication

Talk with one another, keep the comm lines open, don't get tunnel vision (hearing).

Planning

Once you've launched you get some patient information, develop a plan together, be flexible and adaptable.

Medical Control

Some time you may disagree and a decision has to be made. Call medical control. The reality is, as your scenario would suggest, this may not be timely. See #1: do what's best for the patient. (If you get to the point where you're discussing a cric... most likely it needs to be done.)

Professionalism

Never argue, fight, or disrespect your partner in the presence of outsiders.