riskynremtp

lol.....that's cruel....lol..

Dust has enlightened those EMTs like you that will hopefully take time to absorb the insight and experience. Even though there are some medics out there, that will tell you they had rather work with a "good" EMT, rather than another medic is either wanting you to feel good, as Dust said; "pump themselves up", or simply wanting to sluff as many BLS runs on you as they can. Make no mistake, I have not forgotten where I came from, and for that reason alone, I didn't want to stay there. There will always be a sense of "relaxation" in a medic's mind, knowing they are with an equally trained partner, whom can share the responsibilities "equally". Anything less is.......well...............less. Please do a favor to the medics you care about, to yourself and family. Become a medic asap. I can tell that is where your heart is anyway. I did it, and as a single dad. You can too. Good luck. I'm sure you will make a difference for alot of people during your career. Take care.

Unfortunately, I must disagree. If you plan to work on the street, then you need to stay on the street, at least until you have obtained more EMS knowledge. I'm afraid there would be no way to be more efective in EMS, by feeling cozy in the er with a doc stuck up your arse to fall back on. This gives you absolutely no chance to achieve the aspect of critical thinking in the field. I respect those that work in the er that know what EMS is about, and what we do. However, there are some that have never seen the EMS side, and the only street experience they have is the drive to work, and back home after their 12hr shift. And, there are even some, that feel that EMS is their "whipping post", and should come running to their beckoning call. Well, sorry it doesn't work like that. I'm afraid you will be nothing more than the er's whipping post, running around doing trivial work to ease the RN's work load. What you need is some more street time with seasoned medics, whom will take time to assist you in your career choice, and help you shed the "green" off. Once you have developed a good caregiver reputation within the ranks of good folks in the er, then you may want to consider picking up some OT in the er, where it's warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. You must earn their respect, prior to entering their world. Or else, you're nothing more than a gopher.

I understand your grief, but the wise veterans of the board have summed it up quite well. When I decided to enroll for medic school, I was working 24s at EMS, getting off work there, only to report for duty as a shift Captain at my fire dept. Then, on my second day off I worked as needed on a local rescue squad. Having a home, raising a daughter, and still finding time for medic school. Sometimes I wonder how I ever passed. You must decide within yourself to maintain your lifestyle while bettering your life. No one will give you any credits or help with that. I have since opened two small businesses while maintaining my love of EMS, and I can tell you that your Supervisor is holding you on a string, in case they are short staffed one day, or she is not going to contact you and simply convey to her superiors that you quit. Personally, I would tell them to kiss my arse, and move on. You were looking for a job when you found that one correct? Just look again.

spenac, I am overly impressed with your commentary. It is the reasons you have stated along with many others, that EMS is not more regarded as a "professional" occupation. I have worked the cities, and I am now working rural. Fortunately, we have a director, whom had the insight to recruit a "competent medical director" with street medic experience. This should be a Federal requirement for any physician, whom desires the title of "med-control". Ours, in many instances responds to the scene with us, and has also put the trust in his medics to educate an abuser of the system, by reviewing with them the reasons for untilizing an "emergency" ambulance. In many instances, we will contact local law enforcement whom assist us in dealing with a habitual abuser, or if we find no reason for "emergency" use of our unit, we will contact one of the local convo agencies in the area, and have them respond to the scene (if a request for transport is still requested). So in summary, I am 100% behind you on this topic, and I hope the day will come that there is a mandated protocol for physicians whom desire to be med control. No doctor should attempt to direct a medic unless he or she has previously served as a paramedic. Minimum of one year would be a start. Take care.

There has been alot of wisdom shared to you by the veteran members here. In my state, I99 is only recognized by very rural areas of SC. Otherwise, it's strictly 85. These level of certifications are in constant debate among commitee members of DHEC, who regulates EMS in SC. Myself, I elected to skip Intermediate after "testing the waters" as a basic in an EMS system for one year. It is, as has been stated a professional committment that you must be 100% sure of. And, do not subject yourself, or the profession to the constant political, and unprofessional grief of a volunteer station. This can cloud the overall picture of the profession. Good luck with your choices and your career.

I agree. But, the piece may raise a brow somewhere.

Would he be anything like the dude in the movie "Bad Santa"?

Welcome to the city Mike. Good luck with your new endeavor entering into the world of EMS. I must say, that you may want to reconsider your thoughts on NOT working as an EMT, prior to medic school. I worked for a year as an NREMT-B, prior to entering medic school. During this time, I also took an A&P course, which is required in South Carolina prior to being accepted to the NREMT-P program. But, back to the point. I think a new EMT should go out and get some field experience, prior to taking the "big" leap to medic. It is a different world, that you need to see, not hear about. Be sure that you will be ready to make the transition, and be willing to assume the responsibility of becoming a medic. We have all heard, that once you get your ticket, you now have a license to learn. But, wouldn't it be great, if when and if you obtain your Paramedic ticket that you could say that you already had some "street" learning under your belt. Once you are on the streets, the only good purpose your books will serve, are as a spare "wheelchocks" should you need one. Surround yourself with experience as well as education. One can never survive without the other. Good luck. Keep us posted, and feel free to let me know if I could ever help. I think your light will shine bright in this profession. Just stay focused.

Coyote, you have described a problem that enthralls many systems in the US. I too agree that the first step is management corrections, however if you're med-control doesn't care more about his license than to let those uneducated and inexperienced medics work the streets, then he is just as big an idiot. Remember, just because MD follows their name, doesn't always mean that stupidity isn't far behind. I am very sorry that you must be subjected to such irresponsiblity within your system. Unfortunately, I too once worked for a similar organization, and I felt like this :violent2: most of the time.

Was called by phone by staff to respond to er in ref to pt running through er, pushing nurses. walked in er ambulance entrance, only to be met by "crazed" pt. Doc says, "Don't let him out those doors". A struggle began, pt codes during struggle, never was able to rescutate, SLED investigates, no charges, family attempts to sue hospital, no luck. Pt was in the er for kidney stone. No behavioral hx, or any other medical hx. Go figure....

If after so many calls are answered such as the one described about the toilet. A report should be filed with health and human services, or DSS. Then I would explain to the rude patient, if they could not arrange for assistance in their daily lifestyle, I would see to it that they were put somewhere to receive that assistance, whether they wanted it or not. If I didn't get results from the local offices, I would further it to the state level if needed. Don't get me wrong, because I believe in helping anyone who needs it, when it concerns their "quality" of life, but not helping them maintain their lifestyle that they are refusing to accept cannot be lived that way any longer. It is not our job to be "toilet attendants". This is a waste of resources, especially when you work for a system that may not have many units. Wendy, have you considered researching, and possibly chartering a new agency in your area, that could assist the elderly with daily living? This would help them, and free up EMS to do their "real" jobs.

Until that idiot showed me some reason besides stupidity as his reasoning for needing an ambulance, he would not even be considered a patient. I for one am not gonna chase an idiot like that. My FIRST order of business would have been to ask the officer why he needed us there. We don't call them when find a cardiac arrest, so why do they call us when they find a drunk. The answer is simple. Paperwork. In many states, if a Medic or EMT in any way restrains someone, as I've heard suggested here, that could be viewed as simple battery. Having been a Police Officer, I try to keep up with some laws governing EMS. This thread has surprised me, that I would actually see someone stating things like HIPPA, neglect, losing lisences, and etc. This entire video was a law enforcement issue, until the idiot hit the truck, which shouldn't have been there in the first place. As far as the female bystander running her mouth toward the end of the video, I would have told her to KMA, and keep moving. She's almost as stupid as the fool that hit the rig.

Confirm S-10, Call Coroner, Coroner arrives, back in service.

Welcome. Hope you enjoy the board. People here are great.

I guess until the day comes, that our Federal Government finally intervenes, and establishes a "clear voice" for EMS, this debate will always continue. After reading the many posts, the only conclusion that I may draw for my benefit, is considering EMS a "Public Service", but I would have to stop short of saying "Public Safety".

Hang in there. I know you've had it preached over and over, but just stick to the ABCs, relax, and don't read too much into the questions. Think as basic as you can, and remember to request ALS for everything, never stay and play. You'll nail it next time. Try not to be too discouraged.

Well, so far I must stand corrected. I think Paramedicmike made a very valid word combination......Public Healthcare. I also agree with Dust, that my county is an isolated affair. The neighboring county that I worked in had no function in anything other than "healthcare", and extrication. Outside of the upstate region that I live, I really don't know how far the EMS agencies go as far as "public service"............notice I didn't say public safety. But, I will say that there needs to be some sort of happy medium. What that answer is, I do not know. But, when you look at EMS being referred to as "first responders" in the event of a catastrophic event, it seems kind've difficult to just look at it as public healthcare. I guess it depends on where and who you serve for. But that being said, EMS should not be put into the position of needing body armor.

That would solely depend on how far your service's scope of rescue would include. For instance, at my service we are the designated confined space rescue, and high angle rescue for the county. So, that is definately Public Safety. 1, because we are serving the public, 2 because it concerns their safety. Seems pretty simple to analyze really. I too have done all three forms of service. Retired Fire Captain, and worked for 3 years as a Police Officer. So, having done all 3, I will agree that EMS is a third public safety. In fact, the Federal Legislature is conducting a preliminary investigation, as to why EMS has not already had proper representation within the Department Of Homeland Security, since all tree entities are considered and recognized as "first response" in the event of catastrophe.

You are 100% correct. There are alot of "screw up" medics out there. Usually, they are easy to spot. They think they know it all......

Very well put devil. :wink:

It's every where you go. I wished I could give you an easy answer. It's easy to say "stupidity", which is true in some cases, but more importantly it is an over all lack of training. We can't expect them to know what we do, because they NEVER will. But, some of them should know ALOT more than they do. There are some good nurses in these places. Sometimes, you just have to look VERY hard to find them, and they are usually the LPNs, and CNAs doing the RNs work. :?

BSI, general impression, pulse rate/ quality, RR rate/ quality, BP, past HX, LOI, diabetic possibly?, ETOH on board? Does he request to go to the hospital? If so, let's load him and get the hell outta here, before anymore people start looking over our shoulder, or decide their sick too and need a ride..... your turn......

Prior to the idiot running, why did he need an ambulance anyway? He should have been PD's problem, or let me guess, he said he was "hurting". Well, you're gonna hurt if you are a drunk. PD should have just locked the stupid idiot up, and not sluffed him off on EMS. Keep the ambulances free for people who really need them. We're not PD, or AA. That idiot was a waste of resources. We've got better things to do don't we?

I've found that letting them hold a body bag while you're talking to them works pretty well.