TheOldMan

Firstly, Thank you for your service to our country. There has been an issue here in WV over a Deputy Sheriff having a tattoo. I posted a link, just some reading. http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/529293.html

I was under the impression with the online submission, when my STO validated the hours by "electronically signing" his portion of the form, that would be sufficient. I sent them copies of my cards, I did not get a course certificate with my ALS, PHTLS, etc. and apparently a valid card did not suit the needs of the National Registry. I guess it's just sour grapes on my part. None, and I mean none, of the other National Registry Paramedics I work with have ever had to submit copies of their course certificates, valid cards, and a signature of our STO had been approved. Edit-I can mail them two years worth of certificates, but that would be the size of a small paperback book.

My National Registry card expires on March 31, 2010. I completed the online portion of my recertification, my training officer verified my training electronically, had my medical director sign his part. Today I get a letter stating my "registration is being returned", the National Registry is wanting copies of all my certificates for my 48 hour refresher training. I mailed in copies my ACLS card, BLS card, PALS card, PEPP card, PHTLS card, ITLS card and a copy of my state EMS education record with my printed application with the correct signatures. My question is: Has the National Registry asked anyone here for copies of certificates, or a current valid card been sufficient? P.S. I had more than sufficient hours to cover my education hours, I am not trying to "cover" anything up, or fudge hours.

Song of the day.. Best DJ, voice: "This song goes out to you know who from, someone north of them. A&A Breathe Angels and Airwaves, song called "Breathe"

I thought my OP stated I was a paramedic? Maybe it was confusing. I shoud probably have clarified about the ALS back up issue, I probably should have stated an additional unit, because if the patient "goes south" sometimes extra hands are a blessing. I would be the only ALS provider on duty in the county, I would be partners with a CPR/Driver, and in the only ambulance in the county. I am confident in my skills, and would provide the best patient care that I can. I posted this in rural EMS to get thoughts and input from rural EMS providers who may be the only paramedic within the county.

I am currently a Paramedic in a mostly rural county in WV. My mother recently had a CVA, and I am the only one of my brothers and sister who is remotely close enough to help her with her day to day care. I have an opportunity to accept a job that is closer, and give me more time to help. I currently average 10+ true ALS calls a day, and if anything "goes south" my back up is no more than 10 minutes away here. The position I am looking at pays less, about the same hours, and in this rural setting I am the only ALS provider on duty in the county, so I have NO ALS back up. I am interested in any thoughts or opinions that the city crew might have for me.

Please try to include the 12 lead measurements, pr interval, qrs duration. Could be a LBBB, then is it a new BBB or existing?

Ruffems, It really depends on what part of the state he is from, some of the more rural counties only have BLS squads. I respond as ALS back up to as many as 3 counties any given day, and one county in Ohio. Our service does training with the BLS only squads to help them understand what exactly is needed from them when we get on scene. i.e. a detailed SAMPLE history, and OPQRST ASPN.

Yes Ruffems, I agreee the OP did make it sound like the state was allowing EMT-B's to "read' 12 lead EKG's, all I wanted to emphasize is that is just simply not true. I have been ALS back up to rural BLS only squads, it does make it nice when I am handed a quality 12 lead tracing when I get there. Welcome emtmccall to the forums.

Yes the electronic PCR will be here soon. The state has just developed the EMT-I protocols within the past year, if I remember correctly it is the I-99 standards, I am not even sure where the I-99 classes will be held, I dont know if it will be a RESA Public Service Training class, or I hope a college level class.. As for 12 lead EKG's for EMT-B's, I am pretty sure they are allowed to acuire the EKG, with training and the Squads Medical Director blessing, but unless they use telemetry to transmit the EKG to the ED, and the ED may determine if the MCP wants to you to divert to a cardiac cath. center. EMT-B's ARE NOT allowed to "read" the strip, lead placement, STEMI recognition, these skills are just simply not taught at that level in RESA classes.

Yes, Terr, it was a wonderful evening, your hair glistened in the moon light, your eyes sparkled with passion. What a weekend to remember. We should name the girl, itkManer. Night sweets

I purchased my work pants from aspenmills.com. I have a pair that is 7 years old, and look just as good as they day I bought them. The pants don't tend to fade, after they have been washed several hundred times. I recommend them highly.

I was trying to visualize what he was describing, that was the only thing I could think of.

Do you work for a tax-based service? If they don't pay, how does your company make money to give you a pay check?

Is this what you were trying to describe?

If we are doing a routine transfer, and the patient is deemed to be ambulatory in their physicians eyes, and the patient is a medicare patient, we are instructed to provide them with a cost, and make the patient aware by signing a ABD (Advanced Benefit Disclosure) form, detailing why medicare may not pay for this transport, and informing the patient of the cost of the transport, and asking if the patients still wants transported, having the patient sign the form, and making sure the patient understands the decision. My opinion, if the patient asks, I tell them, of course I may be off a dollar or two, but I am usually close. I feel if the patient asks, be honest and tell them.

Way back in the late 1970's, West Virginia had a 96 hour MICP (Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic) class, a few of the 'old timers', I work with today are only '96 Hour Medics', they cannot sit for the NR tests, but have been paramedics for 30 + years. I couldn't imagine sitting through a 96 hour class, and be thrown in the streets and function.

I just happen to be an ITLS instructor. My advice for you is pretty consistant with what the others have said, read your book prior to the beginning of class. At the basic level; long bone splinting, spinal immobilization, ked (xp1) application and use, patient assessment, helmet removal, are a few things that I can remember for basic level. My other bit of advice is to get an detailed, systematic approach to patient assessment, don't work on C if you don't have A or B done. As for scenarios, there are 3 different types; military, hospital, and pre-hospital. Another bit of advice, our classes are "hands on", if you don't palpate the area, your evaluator may not tell you if you have missed something. So, study, do your best, and you will learn.