The World’s Okayest Medic Podcast Precepting, Orientation (and More) with Kayla Katt
Sep 4, 2025
Kayla Katt, an experienced EMS provider with over 11 years in the field, shares her wisdom on precepting and the realities facing new EMS professionals. She discusses the evolving methods of training, advocating for empathy over authoritarianism. Pressure in emergency medicine, especially during airway management, is explored, emphasizing patient safety. Katt highlights the importance of building a supportive environment for new recruits and delves into the unique challenges of flight medicine, where adaptability is essential.
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Medical Smarts ≠ Operational Readiness
- New hires often have strong medical knowledge but struggle with the practical flow of running calls.
- Kayla says moving through calls and adjusting to the environment can be harder than the medicine itself.
Train Ops First, Medicine Later
- Focus initial training on operations and environment rather than advanced medicine.
- Build medical skills after trainees are comfortable with aircraft, ambulance, and call flow.
Many Flights Are About Execution
- Not every flight call requires deep critical‑care thinking; many are about equipment and teamwork.
- Kayla notes her current job has fewer high-acuity thinking calls and more focus on familiarity with aircraft and partner flow.