Balancing two roles – Consultant by day, EMT by night

What inspired you to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), especially as an activity outside your regular job?   

Ever since I was little, I’ve had a certain passion for emergency services. 

Following my entry into the Red Cross in November 2022 as a first aider, I discovered that I was able to do something concrete to help people, and this, without hindering my career at ALTEN. Developing EMT skills then seemed only natural, despite the implications it would require. 

How do you manage to balance your regular job with your duties as an Emergency Medical Technician?  

This part is not always easy. In fact, we must communicate our availability one month in advance, which leaves us very little room to manoeuvre in case of unforeseen circumstances. I must therefore manage my professional schedule, Red Cross event activities, personal activities, and 12-hour shifts as an EMT as best as I can.  Most of the time, I am able to fit my extra activities into nights or weekends, so as not to affect my ALTEN activities. However, it may happen that exceptionally I have to do one activity after the other, carrying out my usual day at the client site in succession with a 112 shift for example.  

Are there any skills or qualities from your regular job that help you in your role as an Emergency Medical Technician, and vice versa?   

Yes, there absolutely are.  The different missions within ALTEN have allowed me to acquire a certain versatility and flexibility that is very useful for carrying out EMT missions. In addition, stress management, planning, and human relations are very present in both contractor and EMT roles. Conversely, the situations that I can experience daily with patients allow me to put things into perspective and view work differently. I am now able to approach certain situations with more perspective and serenity than before. 

How would you describe your experience working at ALTEN? 

If I had to summarise my experience at ALTEN in two words, I would say trust and learning. Since my beginnings, a partnership and a climate of trust have been established, and they are positive and reassuring aspects in any professional activity. Indeed, no matter what job we do, it is always easier to perform well when we feel good and appreciated by our company. Added to this trust is the possibility of evolving and acquiring much knowledge, which has allowed me to evolve from Junior Validation Coordinator to Team Leader in 6 years. 

When did you become an Emergency Medical Technician? What is your background? 

I had wanted to obtain my first aid certificate for a few years.  

So, in 2022, I decided to start training to achieve this. After receiving my certification, I began first aid to complement my training. This is how I was able to become a volunteer first aider at the Belgian Red Cross.  

After over a year of experience as a first aider at various events (festivals, sporting events, Christmas markets, etc.), I asked the Red Cross to follow their EMT training. This training was long (every Saturday for a duration of 6 months) – but very enriching!  After my internship period, I officially became an EMT in September of 2024.   

What challenges are you facing in your volunteering activity? How does it impact your work?  

The biggest challenges are time and emotional management. 

As an EMT, we face long and strenuous shifts, sometimes without rest. In addition, human distress is part of our routine interventions (seriously ill people, serious accidents, deaths, etc.).

Fortunately, my character and previous experiences, notably as a forensics technician during my studies, enable me to place some distance and be less affected. The biggest challenge is to manage fatigue over time. 

What aspects of our company culture do you find most motivating or inspiring?     

As already stated, trust and learning are motivating factors. 

We can also mention the family aspect, the good mood, and the constant listening that make ALTEN a company where it is pleasant to work.