My internship experience at Virginia Beach EMS started slightly later than the official semester (July 8th), so I have not yet hit 100 hours. My logged hours, at the end of today, will be at 42 hours. The beginning of my internship experience has been very training-focused; in order to prepare for EMT Academy and ride-along fieldwork, we had to complete a handful of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and Terrorism Awareness for First Responder trainings.

We have also started to get into the coursework of the academy itself. The academy has a hybrid learning structure, due to the volume of information and hands-on skills labs required for certification. The textbook portion of the class is completed at home, so I have spent a couple hours every day since receiving my online course access reading the material, studying flashcards, and taking quizzes. In-person at the training center, we complete practical skills labs, four hours a week. As a part of the academy, I will also be able to complete ambulance shifts and get hands-on patient care hours, likely starting around October. The first few chapters of the course textbook outline the history and scope of emergency medical services, including the field’s significant tie-in with public health. We got an introduction to safe work practices. We have also explored the medicolegal side of providing emergency medical care. In the coming weeks, we will begin to learn about providing medical care by covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, patient assessment, and pharmacology.

Finally, I have been able to meet and collaborate with other recruits in my academy. We have practiced teamwork through simulated emergency situations and activities, and will continue to do so weekly. I have become acquainted with training staff including instructors, skills lab proctors, and supervisors.