speedygodzilla

Thanks for sharing. I'm kind of use to using I See All Lead mnemonic. Always nice to have other techniques to use and share. Sent from my Samsung Note Tab with Tapatalk HD

I try to "break the ice" prior to any calls. Asking them a series of questions from how many clinicals they have been on, EMS experience, and a bit of a quiz to see what level they are at, etc.

I advise them if they are on their team leads than I will be more like their partner and it is their call to run. However they have to run it or I am going to speak up and take lead. I have some students freeze up, leaving the patient unsure about what is going on. I advise them that if I take over that they are more than encouraged to jump in and take the lead.

If they freeze than asign a skill, ask questions to get their gears rolling again. I look forward to having students, just relax and give them a chance. Your in a whole other role as a preceptor, sometimes its hard to get out of the driver's seat.

Sent from my Samsung Note Tab with Tapatalk HD

Just FYI TapaTalk may of been updated just tried and am now logged in through app.

-- Sent from my TouchPad using Communities

I would lovely to easily spend more time here. Lots of great people to learn from. The app would save me time as it organizes conversations your involved with, unread, sort by time. And replying is easy to forums. Not that this site isn't great.

Never changed user name. Have tried both email and my actual login without success.

I may have to resort to the web browser too. The app is just much better design.

Hello,

This may be a problem with the app but I am not able to login. Anyone else successfully using a TalkaTap app to keep up on this forum. I have tried the app developer with no response. I didn't know if I need to put something after my user name when I log in.

The app is Communities by Newness Developments on my HP TouchPad.

Thanks

For me it is my hobby in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is my outlet from EMS as it is totally different, challenges the mind, and is really never ending. I recommend Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML.</a> I don't write web sites or anything, yet. I find it fun to learn and maybe someday I'll put it to real use.

I sure hope it is photoshopped. I am no expert but it looks realistic to me. A chief saying race to a fire, espcially on a public article, doesn't sound realistic. I hope this is a joke.

It worked on my end. Saw the alert while eating lunch. I added to the end while reading out loud. "This is only a test. REMAIN CALM!"

Calls from time to time bother many of us. For me it is the sick or dead kids or babies. For me I may never get use to those. It helps me to know I did what I could and a lot about death is really out of our hands. With most adult codes I just think I have gotten use to it. I don't lose any sleep over it and remember to keep my personal and work life as separate as possible. Your feelings are normal, especially early on. You will either learn to cope with them, they will change to not negativly effect you, or they will control you and run you out of this buisness. If you continue to have problems coping than talk to experienced providers and ask them how they cope.

Happy to hear the news hope mom continues a good recovery.

Confidence comes over time with experience and knowledge. Clinicals is the time to build that confindence with experience. Make sure you know your stuff, the protocols and most importantly the why and how it works so when they ask why did you do this you can explain why with more than it is protocol. As a preceptor I want my students to know why they are giving or doing xyz. Don't get worried when the preceptor wants to reflect on a call or call you on the spot. A good preceptor should in my opinion do this. Ask for constructive feed back.

We want you to be ready to run the calls by yourself when you are finish. You never know where you'll end up working and we need you to be ready to lead. Good luck!

ER Tech really depends on the ER but most are just EMT-B, CNA, nursing students, etc. Paramedic would go above and beyond what is needed for ER Tech. Basically an ER Tech is the nurse's assistant in the ER. The pay was around $11 to $14, 3 years ago when I was a ER Tech. There are ERs in my area that will use Paramedics in the role of a nurse in ERs. It is rare but they are out there. You can do all the same things as a nurse except here in Missouri and possibly else where RNs must start blood products.

Other places you can work include just about anywhere they have on scene first aid or EMS including but not limited too: Factories, Amusement Parks, Water Parks/Pool, Zoo, Casino, etc. Just about anywhere they have EMS. Some of these are limited to EMT-B and work dual security. Most of the jobs are in an ambulance, fire truck, helicopter, or plane. Their are options.

Keep in mind if your thinking about working in the sky than you will have to get experience first. I am not sure of the years but I believe most require at least 5 years plus advanced classes.

Congrats, keep you in my prayers and hope all goes well!

Hope you have learned from your post here. We are here to help. Sometimes you have to get hit by a "hammer" a few times to realize the big deal. Those nitro could of killed him. With significant internal injuries and a very potent vasodilator that equals vast uncontrolled internal bleeding which often leads to death. You may not of administered the nitro but you seem to be the inbetween goto for getting them. It seems from your earlier post that you have learned that nitro is for medicall chest pain not trauma chest pain. Very big difference. If you must listen to the scanner than use it as a tool to help you think of things. A call goes out for syncopal, you stay at home and think of what could of caused it, help it, and look it up in the book. I would not recommend responding unless you have the education and the backing of at least a volunteer department.

I have learned a lot over the years here at emtcity. Please stay and become an active member and you will learn from the many wise here.

1). Is there a major difference between going and getting training at a community college vs. hospital? I know a lot of hospitals offer EMS training but so do some community colleges (they offer degrees too). I was thinking when it came to looking for a job it might look better to get training from a hospital but I'm not really sure. The issue I have with that is I don't think my GI Bill will pay for hospital training. I'd have to look that up though.

Here in the Kansas City Missouri area I am un aware of any hospital base EMS programs. I would recommed the college base program just base off the fact of the degree option. If you can get a job in the hospital or medical field while going to school this would help. After I got my EMT-B I got a job as an ER Tech because finding a job as an EMT-B in the filed was rather hard. This gave me the experience to find a job in the field.

2). The college I am looking into says it's about 3 semesters worth of school before I can apply for the medic core program. The medic program is another year long. So I guess I would be looking at around 2-3 years of schooling to become a medic. That sounds about right?

This really depends on the program but 2 to 3 years sounds about average. For me it was around 2 as my medic program was "accerlerated." Keep in mind especially throughout your paramedic program you will basically have a part-time job to full-time job just with clinicals. For me it was full-time job as EMT, clinicals, plus class. Your social life takes a back seat during paramedic school.

3). Some people told me before you can become a paramedic you have to do a certain amount of "911 calls" as an EMT. Is that covered in the training/schooling or do you have to go out and find an EMT job? I ask because I'm being told EMT jobs are tough to find these days. So some clarification on that would be nice.

No you donot have to do a certain amount of calls before going to paramedic. Would it be benificial? In my opinion yes. I was an EMT-B in the field for a year before I went to medic school. That time and experience help me a lot and gave me a lot of resources during the program. I would not delay going to medic school for experience as an EMT. You will run plenty of 911 calls during clinical hours/days/months!

4). Do you guys enjoy your profession? I've been narrowing down my options for years and I finally have it down to xray technican and medic. I'm leaning towards medic because I think it's a much more rewarding field and I like working outdoors. I've always wanted to be a first responder (at first a police officer now medic). To have a job where I help people on daily basis sounds awesome. I know I would enjoy that.

I love my job. The thing that you should realize is that actually emergencies are few and far inbetween. Many times EMS is a glorified taxi. Bottom line is there are patients that need us and I enjoy being able to help in those times of need. I try to think of all patients as needing us and forget about the taxi part, sometimes it is just a bit too obvious.

5). I know every company is different but in general what is the EMS community's opinion on tattoos? Obviously, if they are concealable (chest, shoulders, back, etc) it's no big deal but what about visible tattoos (on the calf, lower arms)?

One place I work requires all tattoos to be covered, other places donot have a policy. Check with local EMS agencies.

6). What is the job outlook like for medics? Is it tough to find jobs out there? All I hear is about how the medical field is expanding and there are jobs everywhere but that just seems hard to believe. I know it's a recession and even though it should be I bet EMS isn't exactly recession-proof. Are any of you having a hard time finding work or know of people trying to find a job?

Finding an EMT-B job can be difficult. Getting a job as a paramedic is much eaiser especially if you add firefighter to the paramedic. I am easily able to find multiple jobs as a paramedic. Currently full-time at a fire dept, PRN at ambulance, and seasonal part-time at flu clinic.

We will miss your opinion and your vast knowledge. RIP

My recommendation to you is find a method that works for you. Methods allow for a routine and a way to ensure that you don't forget important information.

For me I use a modified SOAP. Started off with the story and cheif complaint, including OPQRST. Moved on the objective where I put what I saw when I found them, including LOC, GCS, and ABCs. Next is asessment which for me is head to toe check box and fill in blank. Last is treatment chronological list of what I did. This is not the only way, but it is what works for me. Find what works for you and use it everytime so that you have an organized way of writing your report.

Lungs don't make sounds

Yes they do! No really I think one thing obviously missing is lung sounds. Trachea tugging really makes me suspect pneumo.

No experience with you question regarding specifics about your area but I don't see your foot pain being too much of a problem. Going through class you'll have a chance to work in the field as a student so this should give you an idea of the physical demand.

Good luck!

Don't be shy get out there and get your feet "wet." Ask your preceptor your role as some will have you watch the first few calls to see how they handle things and others will let you jump right in. Be willing ready to do as much as possible including skills, assessments, treatments, radio reports, etc. Ask for feedback. Be ready to explain your treatment as a good preceptor should question your treatment to makes sure you know why your doing xyz not what your doing. Don't be worried if they question your treatment as they are probably just wanting to see how you back it up.

When you get to a point where you don't know what to ask make sure you have covered all your OPQRST and SAMPLE.

Call the patient by their name and take a moment to introduce yourself when appropriate.

Good luck!

There is a lot of negativity on this forum towards AMR, and usually most of it comes from people who have never worked for the company. I've worked for AMR for six years, and I'll give you my honest opinion.

First, you need to know that the working experience at AMR is going to vary widely depending on where in the ....

I agree with your post 100%

I am a happy employee of AMR for the past 3 years and will continue to be.

Sure not everything is perfect but over all I consider my work a great experience.

I think that the original question has been answered and really have nothing to add.

Good Luck!

3- When determining if someone is competent to refuse care, remember that there is much more to determine mental status than simply Alert and orinented x4. If you are simply using A/Ox4 to determine if you can lay hands on someone , or that is all you are documenting....you are setting yourself up for trouble.

Can you please elaborate more on this point.

When it comes down to it if they are A&O4/4 and have been made aware of risk of refusing and are still refusing than my hands are legally tied.

There is a difference between refusing and not wanting to go the hospital, but that is whole other can of worms.

I would prefer paramedic. When I was an EMT-B I would often times introduce the crew as Paramedics when entering the house. I just find that most outside of EMS do not understand what an EMT-B, EMT-I, EMT-... is. It really doesn't matter anyways. A doctor is a doctor, a nurse is a nurse, a paramedic is a paramedic. I like the idea that the article presented about different levels of Paramedic. Heck even many of the nurses don't understand the difference between BLS/ALS, EMT/EMTP when I go to ask them info on a transfer.

When it boils down to it as long as the media (or whoever) doesn't call us ambulance drivers I am fine. I am still an EMT. EMT before the P (even after the NR changes it), just like BLS before ALS. I would love to see us adopt a more eaiser to understand level names but I don't see it as a priority.

I like the idea of the ICE applications or contact with medical info on the phones. I have never looked for them on patients before but I can't rule it out as they may possibly become a popular thing. I prefer paper copies of stuff like the vial of life because when I get to the ER a quick trip to the copier and I can make two copies, 1 for me and the 2nd for the ER, with the original back to the patient.

I could see the ICE applications being more useful on conscious patients that could pull out their phone and hand it over or read it off with the info like medication list that they don't have memorized. With many of us going to electronic charting or already there I would love to see a universal app or something that could sync with blue tooth or wifi to our electronic charting pulling all the info into the report. Far fetch but possible.