ER Shadowing
One of the most well-received and popular opportunities offered through this organization is shadowing in L.A. County’s Emergency Department. There are five locations in the department in which you can sign up to shadow: North, East, West, Pediatrics and Resuscitation wings. Shifts are from 4pm-10pm.
Sign-up sheets are initially offered online to those on the EMSIG listserv, with a paper copy being posted on the bulletin board across from McK 156 afterward for general sign-up. New sign-up sheets are posted every few months during the academic calendar. If you have a last-minute conflict with your scheduled shadowing shift, send out an email to the EMSIG listserv (emsig-L@usc.edu) asking if anyone would like to take your shift.
Instructions for Shadowing:
1) Wear your white coat (with ID badge), closed-toed shoes, and scrubs.
2) As soon as you arrive find out who the attending physician is by asking a nurse.
3) Introduce yourself to the attending and ask if he or she can pair you up with a resident to shadow (you may end up shadowing more than one resident).
• You may be asked to perform or help with procedures. Don’t do anything you are not comfortable doing! Use your common sense! If you tell a resident or nurse that you’re a first- or second-year medical student, they will understand!
• When things get hectic in any area of the Emergency Room, step to the side and hold your questions.
• Please don’t hesitate to contact any of your friendly EMSIG reps- Jennifer Brooks (brooksj@usc.edu), Daniel Joseph (dajoseph@usc.edu) or Daniel Laird (dlaird@usc.edu)- if you have any questions or feedback regarding the tag-a-long experience.
• HAVE FUN!