When a medical emergency occurs, the first professional a patient comes into contact with is usually a paramedic in the ambulance. Paramedics often work long shifts in high-stress, life-or-death situations. Due to the physically (and psychologically) demanding nature of the job, workers frequently burn out, which can lead to shortages.
Jason Hernandez is a paramedic with MedStar in Fort Worth, Texas. Hernandez was awarded the American Ambulance Association’s Star of Life award last year for his dedication to his work. I talked to Hernandez about the stress and chaos of being a paramedic, and how he handles medical emergencies and family members. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
[For more of this story, written by Bourree Lam, go to http://www.theatlantic.com/bus...08/paramedic/497300/]
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