Although patient care is essential, this profession requires more. In fact, the flight paramedic must manage the unexpected before, during, and after each mission. Through anticipation techniques, you adapt your decisions to an out-of-hospital context.
Moreover, you work closely with other healthcare professionals. You work alongside nurses and respiratory therapists, but also with members of the aeronautical field. Thus, you operate in a multidisciplinary, dynamic, and demanding environment.
This profession involves complex decisions. Thus, to succeed, you must demonstrate openness, resilience, and composure. A positive attitude becomes essential in a context of uncertainty and ambiguity.
As Émilien Campos, occasional flight paramedic at Airmedic, says: “Our role is also defined by good stress management that can come from working in confined environments such as helicopters or hostile settings. The experience of being able to work in these environments daily allows us to suggest possible solutions to all kinds of problems specific to these settings and to share tasks with other team members.”
Learn more about Émilien Campos and the profession of flight paramedic.
What attracted you to Airmedic?
Airmedic brings together my skills and my passions: the medical field and aeronautics. Indeed, it is an extraordinary company. Moreover, it leaves no room for routine. Every day is different. Every work environment presents its challenges. For this reason, I was immediately drawn to this adventure.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I read the daily schedule (the day’s timetable and specific details). I check the weather and temperature in order to properly plan the equipment to bring. When I receive my mission, I project myself into the future to anticipate each step, every possible issue, in order to avoid unexpected situations as much as possible (there are always some). I prepare the necessary equipment and make sure I have everything with me. As in the pilot profession, a checklist is always essential. Indeed, it ensures nothing is forgotten. Pre-mission briefing with the team, constant multidisciplinary communication (nurse, doctor, pilot, operations center, team leader…), intervention, organization, evacuation to a hospital center, sometimes modification and reorganization of plans (distance, time), operational reset of the bags and medical equipment, debriefing… In short, each mission requires rigor, organization, and good communication with all team members.
What is the greatest advantage for you of being a flight paramedic?
For example, one of the greatest advantages of this job lies in pushing yourself beyond your limits on every mission. Each challenge must be met, and it often brings just as much to the patient as it does to the paramedic.
What is the most difficult part of your job?
The most difficult part, of course, is the irregular hours. A 9-to-5 schedule doesn’t exist in the emergency field. You have to be able to sleep during the day and be very organized to balance personal and professional life. But living the opposite of the general population, like on weekends or holidays, allows you to enjoy days off when everyone else is working (I promise you won’t face long lines at La Ronde).
A memory or a mission anecdote you would like to share with us?
The day we searched for missing snowmobilers, when every passing minute could have been tragic. It was nighttime, -30 degrees with a wind chill of -40, and when we finally landed to meet them, everyone was fine. It ended well. Moreover, nights like that give us the chance to witness beautiful northern lights.
What motivates you to come to work?
Airmedic’s multidisciplinary team is extraordinary. Every person, no matter their role, is important. This brings a great balance in responsibilities, in listening, and in everyone’s consideration. It is a company spirit that I have never experienced anywhere else before.
What would be your advice for someone who wants to start as a flight paramedic?
It is a young profession in constant evolution. That is why I advise anyone who would like to make it their career to push their motivation and curiosity to discover all the richness this profession holds. A profession where you must face challenges daily and demonstrate rigor and professionalism. If you like dealing with unpredictable situations, this job is for you.
Join our team of heroes.
Do you thrive on adrenaline, and is your patients’ health important to you? With your medical expertise, you will allow our members to breathe calmly again. All that’s left is to put on your uniform! We are continually looking for candidates to contribute to the growth of our company and to join us in committing to preserve and save lives.
For a spontaneous application, contact us: [email protected]
