About the Author: Troy is an Air Medical Career Expert passionate about a team approach to improving air medical safety from the ground up. Troy is a former Army medic, Army pilot, Coast Guard pilot and EMS pilot. Troy has taught hundreds of wannabe flight medics, flight nurses and EMS pilots the exact steps needed to launch air medical careers.
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Operators learn how to go from calm to chaos and back without flinching or changing their heart rate. When you first learn to fly, one of the very first things you’re taught (if you’re lucky) is a simple, but profound checklist. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. The checklist is critical for two reasons:
Troy Shaffer
—A paramedic, nurse and pilot survival guide. "There’s more involved in a flight interview than a ‘regular’ interview. Flight interviews ask more of candidates than almost any other professional interview, including other health and aviation interviews." That's the reason what I'm about to tell you next, may surprise you . . .
Troy Shaffer
The U.S. Navy SEAL Guide to EMS & Air Medical Leadership. 6 battle tested lessons for positive change. Have you ever worked for someone who takes complete responsibility for ALL their actions? Someone who never passes the buck?
Troy Shaffer
Flight Interviews are Like a Sick Joke. Hey [insert your name], You know all the blood, sweat, and tears you put into earning your paramedic, pilot or nurse qualifications? The money, the time, and the sacrifice? Well, it pretty much all comes down to the next one hour of your life. Don’t be nervous now . . .
Troy Shaffer
5 Ways EMS & Air Medical Go from Good to Great -Teamwork, Communication, Common Sense, Leadership and Just Culture. "There's a big difference between doing great things and being great at what you do."
Troy Shaffer
Troy Shaffer
One of the challenges in EMS and air medical is the consistent promotion of people who have no desire (or skill set) to lead. It's a real problem. 3 Habits of Highly Effective EMS — How To Train Yourself To Lead looks at this issue. Does leadership at your EMS base go something like this? A new boss takes over. The new focus is efficiency.
Troy Shaffer
How To Jumpstart Your EMS Flight Crew Career — The Indiana Jones Way. Do you remember the scene in Raiders of The Lost Ark when Indiana Jones fights the Arab swordsman? It's epic . . . Indiana Jones, having just survived an elaborate chase through the marketplace, is confronted by an Arab swordsman whipping through a flashy routine with a scimitar. Clearly, the Arab knows his stuff.
Troy Shaffer
14 Things To Be Grateful For— Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. First, because I get to eat great food and fall asleep watching football in a tryptophan induced coma. And second, because it reminds me to stop grumbling and remember all the amazing things in my life. EMS Flight Safety Network is full of things to be grateful for.
Troy Shaffer
Troy Shaffer