Quick Facts
EMT practicum FAQ & tips
Your practicum is a hands-on component of the EMT program. You will probably have questions before, during and after the practicum. The list below has some of the most frequently asked questions as well as some tips.Although we cover this in your program orientation, this web page is a handy referral. You can also print this pdf version.
Enjoy your practicum--keep your sense of humour, and work hard, and you will succeed!
| When does my practicum start? |  |
| When do practicums start? Your hospital practicum is first following your Technical IV course. Your ambulance practicum follows. Your course outline explains this order. | |
| About the hospital practicum? | |
|
How long is the hospital practicum? The hospital practicum is 96 hours in the emergency unit. You must also complete all hospital competencies. See the manual. How do I count hours on my hospital practicum? Every hour spent on the floor in the hospital practicum counts as an hour in the hospital practicum logbook. |
|
| About the ambulance practicums? | |
|
How long is the ambulance practicum? Ambulance exposure practicums are 40 to 48 hours on car, and no competencies are assessed. Ambulance final practicums are a minimum of 240 hours and 25 patients. See the practicum manual for more details. How do I count hours on ambulance practicum?Count the hours worked on shift, up to 10 hours per shift. There are two exceptions: 1. If the preceptor is paid $15 per hour for each hour of a 24-hour period, then all 24 hours will count towards practicum hours. 2. If the preceptor’s daily wage is based on only 10 hours at $15 per hour, then only 10 hours will count towards practicum. Any overtime hours will count towards practicum (1 hour of overtime equals 1 hour of practicum time). |
|
| What's the online logbook? | |
|
What is the online logbook? The online logbook is a vital link between preceptors and Lakeland College, instructors and students, and practicum sites and administration. My preceptor has to have access to the online logbook, do I? Yes. The online logbook (www.lakelandlogbook.com) is used to record completed competencies and to track the progress of each student on a daily basis. Like your preceptor, you will be given a private password to access the online logbook. Does this mean I need internet access? Students and preceptors must have internet access during the practicums, but access does not have to be at the worksite. What are my responsibilities with the logbook? You are required to enter competencies regularly. This isn’t optional, it’s compulsory. After you do your entries, your preceptor grades them. Regular data entry ensures timely marking. Please remember, your instructors are going to do online checks. How hard is the logbook to use? It isn't. The process has been streamlined. For hospital practicums, students submit competencies only, without patient care reports (PCRs). For ambulance practicums, students submit PCRs with competencies attached to each PCR. You need to continue submitted PCRs while you complete your practicum hours even if you have already completed all your competencies, or if there are no competencies to attach to a particular PCR. |
|
| What if I can't complete a competency? What about simluations? | |
|
What about competencies that I was are unable to complete on my practicum. For example--treatment of the genito-urinary system? Some of these can be completed in a simulated setting with scenarios. Check your competency setting carefully and talk to your practicum coordinator. Do not count on doing too many clinical or ambulance competencies this way. All difficult to complete competencies must be done at the practicum site. Please note that you need to get permission from your practicum coordinator before simulating a non-simulated requirement. Contact the school if you have any questions. Do I have to finish all of the simulations? You will have finished all of your simulations in the in-class portion of your program. All other competencies must be completed in the required setting. |
|
| What kind of contact should I have with the practicum coordinator? | |
|
When should I communicate with my practicum coordinators or instructors? Let them know immediately when there is a significant problem. Otherwise, there are at least four times you should you talk to the practicum coordinator: --when you have started -- when you are half done --when you have approximately two weeks left --when you are done and have the final evaluation signed. |
|
| Does someone from the school do practicum visits? | |
|
Does someone from the school do practicum visits? This varies, but we will try to visit twice during your ambulance practicum, and upon request for your hospital practicum. Instructors and practicum coordinators will do the practicum visits. It will not always be your practicum supervisor. If your preceptor indicates that he/she wants a practicum visit, let the practicum coordinator know ASAP. |
|
| What kind of contact does the preceptor have with Lakeland College? | |
|
What kind of contact does the preceptor have with Lakeland College? Preceptor access to instructors or practicum supervisors has been provided through the online logbook, emails and phone numbers. Preceptors may request contact from the school for any reason, varying from requests for further information to discussions about students. | |
| Tips: Attitude and Responsibilities | |
Make sure everything is finishedIf you report to your practicum coordinator that you have completed all of your practicum requirements and your lead instructor finds incomplete competencies when marking your logbook, you will very likely be sent back on practicum.Your attitude is key during your practicum. Be positiveTake resonsibility to:Come prepared Come well rested Come ready to study Come ready to work Be willing to admit weaknesses and areas that need improvement You shouldn't: Try to fake your vitals or assessments Arrive late to your practicum Talk negatively about your preceptor, your instructors, your college or other programs. Negative talk will reflect negatively on you, not on those whom you talk about Don't say: “…..I know, I know…..” “…..I know that…..” “…..I wasn’t taught that….” |
|
| Program orientation | |
| Another reference is your EMT program orientation presentation. The pdf can be downloaded and or printed. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last updated on
