Kim_Possible

I just wanted to know, is if recertification exam is just like the same exam you would receive when you get your initial certification.  I want to recertify by exam this year.  I just want to know what I should go over to be prepared.

I took my initial exam in 2001, and wondering if there is anything different that may help me out.

Thank youj

Does anyone know if there are any contraindications with transferring blood with the Medsystem III infusion pump.  I know the pump can, but is there any contraindications with the tubing.  I'm not talking respiking with primary set.  I just want to add the secondary extension set and continue. 

I've been trying to research online, but haven't found anything saying no or yes. 

Kim

Congratulations, on your decision to return to school, being a part of EMS is being part of a special society. Once you begin it becomes a significant part of your life.

I have been in EMS for 18 years, the last 11 as a medic. I am at a crossroads, finally want to continue on in my education. Don't know where to go next. Nursing....still doesn't thrill me, would like to stay in EMS. Would like to progress with the branching out EMS seems to be pursuing with Community/Preventative Paramedicine. I have no degree, but tons of credits all over the place. Yet, somehow I am determined not to give up.

Keep us all up to date on your progress.

Has anyone ever had the issue in position of comfort come into view. We do our best to secure properly, but what do we do if the patient feels better in a fetal position or recovery position because of pain. Now I loved the pedi mates because they can secure onto cot, child seats good for infants as they get bigger becomes more difficult, and if child is bigger restrain seat in jump seat might be too small.

As for securing child seat onto stretcher, we rearrange the straps and put head of stretcher in full fowlers position. Torso strap goes behind seated and can be thread through two openings in the back. The hip strap gets moved up so strap can be secured to the front of the car seat. There are two slots on the front of the seat, that would go over the lap of the child. We do have our own child seats that were donated by Kiwanis or something like that. Just bulky.

This is an area, I am very interested in being involved. Maine is beginning this concept in rural areas. One of the Maine Comm Colleges has started a program, you must have at least an associate's degree in order to participate in the program. Yet, I am a certified paramedic.

I find this to be great for EMS. It gives another area of advancement in EMS, and a great outlook to its future. The use of EMS, in some aspects, has worn down the financial aspect of healthcare. I am not saying at all, do away with what we do now, or is unimportant, or is the reason for the current financial difficulties in healthcare. Yet, anyone who is involved in EMS knows that quite a few in the system, are illiterate to using it properly or know they are taking advantage of it. How many times on responses have we wanted to say, you don't need to go to the hospital. As a paramedic, my protocols state, I cannot insinuate to a patient not to go to the hospital or else it will end up in the revocation of my license. It would be wonderful if the practice was expanded that this could happen. I am not saying take medics without the proper training to do this.

National Registry standards are looking to extend the scope of practice of paramedics in many areas. It just gives so many other options in EMS. I will be continuing into nursing, but I want to be able to pursue this initiative. The only reason I am continuing towards nursing is to give credibility in Community Paramedicine. Out of facility healthcare I believe is the future. It is not a replacement, just another tool that will help to educate and serve society.

The Monkees

Here We Come

Walkin Down the Street

We get the funniest looks from

Everyone we meet

Hey Hey We're the Monkees

People say we monkee around

But we're to busy singing to put anybody down

Anytime or anywhere

Just look over your shoulder

and we'll be standing there

Hey Hey We're the Monkees

People say we monkee around

But we're to busy singing to put anybody down

Every agency that tries that eventually gets pwnt for millions in civil court.

WTF do you care? I for one didn't take the job to NOT transport patients.

Oh Dusty you ole devil you, that's what we get paid for. Lord knows its better than the alternative, Not getting paid. Been there done that, can't afford the t-shirt.

Thank you to everyone for all of your support and help, I passed the 12 Lead exam and hoping to be hearing from the company in the next few weeks.

Kim

My guess is she worked at a place that did not do 12 leads.

Listen right now, I need to focus on getting through my 12 Lead test. We did do 12 Leads with one of my services, but I don't think I did them that often with the second service I worked with. This could be the reason why I am extremely rusty.

Hey Kim, I would be glad to offer any help I can on the subject. I am a Critical Care Paramedic with about 12 years of experience and cardiology is one my favorite subjects. My email is romialta2@yahoo.com is you want to email me with some specifics and what your having problems with.

Yes whatever you can do would be a great help.

Kim

Hi Everyone,

I feel very embarrassed about bringing this up. I am trying to get a job with AMR for the new NH contract. I am having such a difficult time trying to pass the 12 lead exam. What really sucks is I studied very hard for all the exams, and only passed one and the practical. Well, just for the time being since my last service was nice enough to give me an unvoluntary leave of absence, I am desperate for a job. Everytime I've gone in for an interview and tested, I am not doing well. I have been in EMS for almost 17 years. The last 10 which were not exactly pleasant as a medic. Never really did have a great mentor when I reached my medic level. Well if anyone has some sympathy in your heart to help me out that would be great. Then I won't have to be one of those people you complain about who is actually talented in this field and you're paying for my unemployment benefits.

I don't know what I am doing wrong and if anyone can help me out....It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Kim

Karma is something. Considering many good individuals have been let go by this company for BS. Me being one of them, luckily I was smart enough not to trust them to recert me.

It is just amazing.

Hi Everybody,

Welcome to EMS!!! It definately is a journey. I have been on a hiatus for about 9 months. I am hoping to find work soon. I do live and have worked in Manchester. Let us know how you're doing.

Kim_Possible

Dust....you are a little devil aren't you. What a great compelling story for EMS!!! I am so glad that you posted it. The last 9 years of my EMS career has been somewhat of a nightmare. This post gave me some faith in why I wanted to get into the profession originally.

This is what I feel real EMS/even medicine is all about. This wasn't about someone trying to be a hero. This was not a provider embellishing on a story about a code save, or a trauma where the provider looked like a paragod.

This is a story about a provider, who was able to console a person in need. This is what our profession is all about.

Thank you Dusty for helping me see a very illuminous picture of EMS.

Wish me luck, I am starting with a new service very soon. I am looking forward to beginning a new chapter in my career.

I think the ? is how soon do you want to start making $$$$., is when you should go to medic school.

Make money as a medic????? Ok.

Use becoming a paramedic as a stepping stone towards Nursing or medical school.

Hi,

I was wondering is there a way to find an old thread. I wanted to read about Stryker vs. Ferno stretchers. We have a proflex (its Blue)...and I think they s*&K.. The releases are very difficult to use, the ergonomic handle for proper lifting is of no help at all, and is so much heavier than the old 35s. Am I just woosing out about this or has anyone else had the same problem. Everytime I use one of these and others have mentioned also in my company that we feel that we are going to hurt ourselves using these stretchers. I have mentioned this to one of our dept heads but have been pretty much ignored.

I wanted to find the thread to see what other types of equipment people have used and what they like. Our NICU transfer isolette is on a stryker which is nice except for the panel by the foot of the stretcher.

Working

Friday

A day off what is that? I do every once in a while, I joined a swim team, so I go hang and play in the water.

First in bag/oxygen

Believe it or not, I started in a rural area then came to the city. I did this because at the time I was only a basic and the Manchester EMS system was hiring just intermediates and paramedics. Sometimes it's good to do both, if you want check in on Goffstown ambulance or check with Rock. They now hire basics and once you get your foot in the door, it can lead. With Rock yes for a little while you'll do a lot of interfacility transports, but it's great experience. With Goffstown, they only do 911 so you could get in on that, but with Rock if you're willing to stick out doing the interfacility transfers, you can have a lot of experience when you move on to the next levels of EMS.

Hi

I am a medic with Rockingham. If you have any questions let me know.

Thanks.

I did enjoy having a jumpsuit. Unfortunately, my company has strayed away from them. Of course as a girl getting in and out of them was a little difficult. Sorry we need a little more then a peek a boo hole. LOL Scrubs yes, but I like the thought of polo shirts or maybe turtlenecks in the winter time. The blouse thing....yea just seems to fancy for out in the field. Pant wise I'm so use to cargo pants, it's all I've ever worn.

Kim

I came into this field because I needed to find a job. After coming in and out of colleges and jobs, I had an experience where a friend who was in EMS convinced me to take my basic. For many years now, I have complained as to this is not what I wanted to be when I grew up. No one in my family is involved in public service, but my father is in a healthcare profession.

For many years I've asked why am I here. I have on many occasions been very uncomfortable of whether or not I am good at what I do. I've felt my training was a quick way through and I regret it. Anytime now someone young comes to me and asks about how they should pursue continuing to get a paramedic education, I tell them to go to the college and go by a degree program. Unless, they already have a degree, then a certificate program maybe more suited for them.

I went to a certificate program w/o having a degree, now my career is at a stand still. Yes, I did do it to prove that I am not an idiot. But after talking with people I work with, I have worked exceedingly hard to prove myself to my peers. Sometimes I have felt I did not have the influences to help me become a better medic, and that as some have stated "have been thrown to the wolves."

Now, with some validation that I am good at what I do. I hope to pursue a college education, unforturnately, in order to excel and I guess nursing or PA is the next route. That kind of bugs me, because, EMS is so much more, and I don't know where to turn. Sometimes, I would love to promote EMS to show others how important it is in society now. We are healthcare workers. We are those who when first arriving to a home, scene, people are asking us medical questions that we may not have the education to answer. I think these are questtions we should be able to answer.

Yes, I work for a private service . I transport those who go from facility to facility to have procedures done that cannot be performed at certain hospitals. I am now like a nurse titrating medications, and attempting to answer questions as to how the procedure is done and what it will do for them.

One of the many goals I have in this field is to educate the public, keep them safe(medically) (trust me you don't want me handling a gun), and keep them comfortable.

I feel so uncomfortable because I haven't continued my education. I didnot come from a military background to do this job. Am I less of a medic because of this? Yet, I know of many ff, pt, and PD officers who respect because of the service I perform to my community.

I know many of you may think I am writing a pity party or so forth. But the whole moral of the story is, that I have become very proud of what I do. I realize how important it is. It bugs me that even if I do go for a degree there won't be more money. We do receive respect, but have very little public recognition. I am always asking what can be done to change this. Would a title of what we are change that?

Kim

Well, I guess once we start cooling the fluids, we won't have any room for beer.

Yet the thing is, are we going to continue to have warm fluids also, or is this option being steered away.