Siffaliss

Haha perhaps we should start a new topic about it?

Just because one is a paramedic, doesn't mean one isn't a cocky jackass who wouldn't crap the bed on a call

I understand where you're coming from, but have you never had someone freeze on you so cold to the point where prompting wasn't working at all, and you had to take over the call (not fight over it) because nothing would get done and patient care might be compromised? (Over and over again I might add ...) Squint was right, the topic did get way off topic

I agree Annie, and from personal experience I feel I am likely more of a well rounded practitioner for having worked rural. It's a different world out there as you've both detailed; hours from the nearest major facility, brand spankin' new EMR with you and crap, you have a code and NO other backup ... rural such as this gives one the ability to learn how to think on their toes, without having the "luxury" of ALS or even another BLS crew. Having to think for one's self (and do so effectively and to the best of their ability) is what betters especially a new individual. Hey, if a paramedic has say done a zero to hero type program, never done a call outside of practicum, they might benefit from some time out of town as well. Being a paramedic doesn't automatically mean they're the shiznit just because they're a medic. (This coming from a second year medic student). Perhaps a lengthy extension of EMT practicums would be a positive step?

I don't think anyone could have PAID for a better assessment on today's newbies. You've been doing this a long time Annie and know how to tell it like it is. A reg # is not a right it is a privilege (and an expensive one at that). It gives one the ability to use and build on the skills they learned in school. It does NOT mean one can walk into a job and figure everyone should bow down because they just got out of school. It gives you the opportunity to (hopefully) be a good practitioner and EARN the respect of your co-workers, some of which could have been doing the job before you were born. Be confident, not cocky, and WHEN you don't know something, ask. Judith, it sounds like you might not have done an e-call in a while (practicum perhaps?) if you've been doing industrial for the last year. It would be in your best interest to build up your skills again and get on with a rural service. Sure it can be inconvenient driving the distance. Even though I do work for a large urban service now, I wouldn't have traded my rural days for anything. I ran calls with EMR's that in the city I'd never get to run due to 3 or 4 paramedics being all over it. There is an advantage to the patient (and your learning) having ALS in certain situations, but paramedics always start with their BLS first. I recommend the same for you as it's truly an invaluable experience. And if you're looking to eventually get to paramedicine, it's good to have a couple years of good experience under your belt.

That's a song.

Annie you are a smart lady Perhaps whomever is giving Duckett this bonuses should consider putting the money back into the health care system where it's actually NEEDED? He doesn't care where the cuts are or what they do to us, look at the money he's getting! When I did my EMT program, I left Edmonton to live in Calgary for the summer. My school didn't have a program running in their local office. When I didn't have classes I drove from Calgary to 170km north of Edmonton to work for the rural service I was at during my earlier EMS days. (Yeah, 4 years in and I'm still green). I was hired during my practicum and stayed with that service for a while, and it was a 200km drive away. I dunno, seems like even as recent as 2006/2007 working rural was a right of passage into busier places. Now? Well ... so many people seem like things should just be given to them because they passed ACP and have a reg number ... Annie, your thoughts on that? (Not like I don't already know!)

Like I said before ... we have to pay for Duckett and superboard bonuses somehow right? I'd certainly like a six figure wage, never mind bonus ... yeesh

If you can't get the book that it sounds like you should have gotten, try ebay perhaps? PEPP was taught to us when I took my EMT about 3.5 years ago, so this book would be seriously outdated if I sent it to you. I recall the pediatric assessment triangle being a big thing, know how to recognize abnormalities and react with appropriate treatment. Assessments are toe to head on the littles ... dunno if this helps at all. I never actually read the PEPP text, pretty simple stuff ...

I personally find the term 'ambulance driver' offensive as there is no such occupation here. People don't call cops 'police car drivers' or firefighters 'fire truck drivers'. Most of this opinion is for another part of the forum however ... What there appears to be here is someone that got killed while doing their job, by someone who was careless and reckless. Any one of us whether we are EMT/paramedic, fire or police have great risk in what we do. It's inappropriate to say that one is more important than the other, or that killing one deserves more/less time than killing the other. We're all in this for the same reasons really, we just have different jobs to do. Although some people moonlight, I have absolutely no desire to become a cop or firefighter as it doesn't appeal to me being as something I could be passionate about doing. Does that make me worth less than someone who could? It shouldn't ... As for "setting a precedent for defining a firefighter" ... give me a break. There is a definite lack of public education on what defines a paramedic or EMT. I'd like to see Dave Carpenter Jr or anyone affiliated with that same attitude get out of an ambulance, police cruiser or fire truck on the road with cars flying by at highway speeds and see if it makes any difference to them when they get hit, if they were carrying a badge and gun, trauma kit or jaws of life ...

Some great points here Kevin. In a more formal debrief, our CISM peers advise us at the start that it isn't counselling or therapy or a critique session or anything of the sort. We are also told that we can follow up with formal counselling, and know that we can contact our CISM peers for more information on it. Again, I think I'm lucky to have the resource available and have the CISM people be respected peers, who have the understanding necessary to do what they do. I think learning more about CISM should be a part of every paramedic program curriculum, as yes it is a helpful tool when it's needed and it's done properly.

I agree here. Nobody should ever be put down for taking a debrief or be made to feel like it's pointless because it never worked for someone else. Sometimes the best thing is to sit and vent with your partner about the call. At times however that isn't enough and it doesn't necessarily depend on how communicative your partner is either. Sometimes you just want to digest the information on your own, that's fine too. I've been involved in a couple at my current job (large urban), they are never forced. The supes will generally ask if we want a debrief if we're on a big event, however they don't nag and never force it. They are always receptive when you ask for one and will arrange it as soon as possible, even if you phone after shift. Perhaps I'm lucky there ... they do have protocols to follow with that sort of thing and generally stick to them. Works for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-HPOZXzHkw

WTF? hehe

Unfortunately rig work (everyone has done it) isn't generally considered experience, due to the lack (or absence of) calls. There are more smaller services in and around the Edmonton area as opposed to southern Alberta that hire frequently; rural is a good place to start out and get some actual experience before attempting a larger, urban center. Try this: http://www.collegeofparamedics.org/pages/Employment/default.aspx

Sooo ... sounds like I'm not missing much by not having watched one single episode of this show. How many more left now, 5 episodes?

I tend to agree with ak here. After a non-stop night shift where you've already done 10 calls and finally get some rest, loud tones are the last thing you want to hear. When the call comes you have to go, but seeing as how alarm clocks and tones and related crap are probably the RUDEST devices ever made by humans, something softer might be a bit more appropriate. It's hard not to get mad at the tones, it's not their fault. It's some raisin who thinks because they haven't pooped properly in 4 days 3am is a good time to think it's an emergency. And of course it's even more infuriating when they have their jacket and shoes and everything on with their relative standing beside them saying "I'll just meet you at hospital" .... ok, bit of a rant there. But anyhow, soft tones and gentle lighting would I think help to reduce our frustration (HR and BP). Sounds a little more 'human friendly'.

PPPPP !!

That's one of the best celebrity likenesses I've seen ... even funnier is that I never thought I'd see "Chuck Norris" sniffing a rose ...

Lucky ... I ended up with pretty much all adverse reactions ... still, better than the any flu I've ever had.

I would be inclined to agree with that number considering how many I know have occurred in/around the city here ...

Yeah, and you'll see those types wearing their little pink paramedic princess poophead shirts out for mojitos with their little girlfriends too ... haha let's cater to the tee-hee-hee badge bunny types!

Damn ... you forgot the obvious Bambulance driver