Patient Assessment
Patient Assessment is a fundamental skill where emergency responders evaluate a person's medical condition. It's like being a medical detective - responders follow a step-by-step process to figure out what's wrong with someone and what care they need. This includes checking vital signs (like pulse and breathing), looking for injuries, and gathering medical history. It's a crucial first step that all EMTs, paramedics, and emergency healthcare workers must master. You might also see this called "patient evaluation," "medical assessment," or "scene size-up" in job descriptions.
Examples in Resumes
Performed over 1,000 Patient Assessments in high-pressure emergency situations
Trained new EMTs in proper Patient Assessment techniques and protocols
Conducted thorough Patient Evaluations and Scene Size-ups in various emergency scenarios
Typical job title: "Emergency Medical Technicians"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Emergency Medical Technicians
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a mass casualty incident requiring multiple patient assessments?
Expected Answer: A senior provider should explain triage principles, discuss organizing teams, prioritizing patients based on severity, and maintaining calm leadership while ensuring accurate assessments of multiple patients.
Q: How do you train new EMTs in patient assessment skills?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating structured learning plans, demonstrating proper techniques, providing hands-on practice opportunities, and methods for evaluating competency in real-world scenarios.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What steps do you take when assessing a non-responsive patient?
Expected Answer: Should describe the systematic approach: checking scene safety, assessing responsiveness, airway, breathing, circulation, and gathering information from bystanders or medical alert jewelry.
Q: How do you modify your patient assessment for different age groups?
Expected Answer: Should explain how assessment techniques differ for infants, children, adults, and elderly patients, including communication approaches and normal vital sign ranges.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic steps of a patient assessment?
Expected Answer: Should list the primary survey steps (ABC - Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and explain basic vital sign measurement and documentation.
Q: What safety considerations do you take before starting a patient assessment?
Expected Answer: Should mention scene safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), and awareness of potential hazards before approaching a patient.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic vital signs measurement
- Scene safety assessment
- Simple patient history taking
- Documentation basics
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex medical assessments
- Pediatric and geriatric assessment skills
- Trauma assessment expertise
- Critical thinking in emergency situations
Senior (5+ years)
- Mass casualty incident management
- Training and mentoring others
- Quality improvement leadership
- Advanced assessment techniques
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to demonstrate basic vital signs measurement
- Poor communication skills during patient interactions
- Lack of attention to safety protocols
- Inconsistent or incomplete documentation practices
Related Terms
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