JakeEMTP

That sucks man. Keep your chin up! They put you on the "immediate" list which I assume is the immediate hire list. That's something. Who knows what their criteria or reasons for hire/not hire was. The good thing is, your young and your opportunity will come. When it does I know you will be the best medic you can. It is their loss in my opinion.

Not I. I was a EMT-B for about as long as it takes to drink a coffee before enrolling in a paramedic course. Two years after that I had a AAS in EMS and wouldn't have changed it for anything. Mobey I think, alluded to the fact that the ability to make decisions, or the mental capacity to do so, is paramount in being a paramedic. The clinical portion of your paramedic classes will far outweigh any experience you could gain by working as a basic. If your going to be a medic, then do that. Don't buy into the theory (or myth) that you need to work as a basic first, it's bull. If you can afford to, get your degree. If you can't do that and have to work as a EMT-B whilst going to school, go the p/t route and work on your degree after acquiring your paramedic credential. I have several friends that have taken the bridge programme to their degree. In the end, we can all tell you what we would or did do. The only thing that matters is, what would/will you do? Good luck!! Jim

Well done chbare! Nicely done video and major kudos for completing the RT programme. Graduation is just a formality. Great job!

Good Luck Bieber! Dazzle them like you do us and you'll be just fine. And hey, night shift isn't all that bad. Less management during the darkness.

I know there is one in Smithfield NC at on June 25th. I will check on Monday when I attend another module for my Paramedic refresher class which will enable me to take my registry test, if there are any requirements for others not taking the class. I don't believe there is, but I don't want to provide false information. I might be mistaken, but I believe Richmond to Smithfield is about 3, 31/2 hrs.

Yeah Toni, I hear ya! I think it comes down to the "only medics can push an antiemetic" mentality harkening back to the day when we only had the option of Phenergan . We still have that medication on the ambulance, but I can't remember the last time I used it. The side effects of Zofran are not that extreme although they do exist, and the contraindication is of course hypersensitivity. Zofran side effects blurred vision or temporary vision loss (lasting from only a few minutes to several hours); * slow heart rate, trouble breathing; * anxiety, agitation, shivering; * feeling like you might pass out; or * urinating less than usual or not at all. Less serious Zofran side effects may include: * diarrhea or constipation; * weakness or tired feeling; * fever; * headache; or * dizziness, drowsiness. Source: www.Drugs.com I believe if EMT-I's can administer Epi or Benadryl, they should be able to push this really, REALLY good medication to pt.'s that could benefit from it. Pt. care. Remember that? I have been in a constant battle with our Medical Director about this very subject. So far I'm not winning this argument, but I shall persevere!

I'm so glad you enjoyed your 2nd clinical experience on the ambulance. You sounded kinda bummed after the 1st. I think you may be able to ride along with the squad as long as you sign a waiver releasing them from any liability. Don't be afraid to ask. A good preceptor can make all the difference as to whether you have a good experience or not. Although the crew can't be held accountable for the number of calls you run, they can make your ride-along an educational experience. Keep up the good work! Jim

Hey Rob! Glad to see your ass is still around. I tried to call you a couple of times, I think you may have changed your number since we went to that godforsaken place called Dayton. I'll be looking forward to your continued posts bro'! Dwayne is trying his best to fill your shoes in the "pissin' folks off" with making them think, but some of us that have been here for awhile know he means well (meant with only admiration Dwayne!). Jim

Where in NC are you? I'm a Paramedic in Pitt County.

Don't. It is your education. If you feel you aren't getting what you signed up for, then you have a reason to express your displeasure. If your instruction mans-up and tells these two about your review, it may even make them better preceptors. Not everybody is preceptor material. It has been my experience that when a student is "dropped" (for lack of a better term) on the crew, they resent it. Precepting is a acquired skill. We have to take a class here of 48hrs in length just to have the privilege of precepting. Plus you must have 2 years experience w/o any QA issues. Anyways, I'm rambling. Chalk it up to experience and start preparing questions for your next ride-along and hopefully an enjoyable tour!

Sorry about that, I will try something else. So far, I haven't had any difficulty with any of the classes. As you say, it is purely an introduction to the fire service. It gives one a basis as to what is going on during a fire. As with anything, practical experience is needed but this is a foundation so you don't look and act like a total dork on scene. Basically, I just took the class because we work with several volly FD's. They have one paid FF to roll with the apparatus, and the remainder of the guys/gals go to the scene. On several occasions we have arrived before a full fire crew has. At least we can start putting the wet stuff on the red stuff! Well, this will have to do. My 'puter skills must be lacking as this was the only way I could post it. Firefighter I & II Begin Online Component End Online Component Onsite Date Practical’s and Testing FD Orientation & Safety 1/10/2011 2/3/2011 2/5/2011 Portable Fire Extinguishers 1/10/2011 2/3/2011 2/5/2011 Salvage 1/10/2011 2/3/2011 2/5/2011 Fire Alarms & Communications 2/7/2011 3/3/2011 3/5/2011 Ladders 2/7/2011 3/3/2011 3/5/2011 Foam Fire Streams 2/7/2011 3/3/2011 3/5/2011 Fire Behavior 3/7/2011 3/31/2011 4/2/2011 Overhaul 3/7/2011 3/31/2011 4/2/2011 Personal Protective Equipment 3/7/2011 3/31/2011 4/2/2011 Forcible Entry 4/4/2011 5/5/2011 5/7/2011 Ventilation 4/4/2011 5/5/2011 5/7/2011 Ropes 5/2/2011 6/2/2011 6/4/2011 Fire Hose, Streams, & Appliances 5/2/2011 6/2/2011 6/4/2011 Emergency Medical Care 6/6/2011 6/23/2011 6/26/2011 Rescue 6/6/2011 6/23/2011 6/26/2011 Water Supplies 7/4/2011 8/4/2011 8/6/2011 Sprinklers 7/4/2011 8/4/2011 8/6/2011 Fire Prevention & Education 8/1/2011 9/8/2011 9/10/2011 Building Construction 8/1/2011 9/8/2011 9/10/2011 HazMat Level One Responder 9/5/2011 9/29/2011 10/1/2011 Fire Control 10/3/2011 11/3/2011 11/5/2011

Here is the sylabus listing the classes required. http://distance.lenoircc.edu/mod/resource/view.php?id=152165 Here is a link with a description of the course. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer to much information. http://www.lenoircc.edu/Continuing_Education/firefighterclasses/ff.starttofinish.pdf

I'm in the midst of a hybrid fire course. It has all the didactic on-line and once a month skills are evaluated over 2 days. By no means is it an academy. It simply allows one to obtain their FF1 & FF2 certifications. I suppose if I wanted to work for a FD it might help me, but I would still have to go through their academy. I'm just doing it for shits and giggles.

I hear ya and that's really too bad. I don't condone staying unnecessarily long on scene, but my pt. care comes first. THAT is what you should be watched on, pt. care. Whilst your partner is getting ready to package the pt. for transport, start a lock and administer some pain meds. It doesn't take that long as you know. If you documented we were 2 minutes longer on scene to administer IV pain control prior to moving the patient, would that be dinged? Sure not, I hope.

Agreed and have done it many times. The quick action of this medication is preferred for the exact reason Ruff stated. Any type of trauma that is painful to even move the pt. gets some Fentanyl from me. Morphine just takes to long to work in this situation but does have it's place in the bag. It is crucial for pt. care to have the option for both.

We have the Autopulse in the service in which I am employed. I have only used it once. I find it cumbersome to carry, it weighs a freakin ton and as Mobey states, it is NOT one size fits all. Due to the demographics of our district, the bands we have rarely fit on the majority of our patients. I don't know if it can be programmed to the current AHA CPR standards or not, but I do know ours aren't. We have the ability to call a code in field here. The only way we transport codes here are if we have some ROSC on scene. I think the only benefit to the Autopulse is it's use enroute to the the hospital for compressions. If you have ROSC however, are you still doing compressions? So, unless we have the aforementioned ROSC, a firefighter, or bystander for that matter, can preform adequate CPR on scene. I'm not a fan of the Autopulse. I suppose it has it's place, but I think the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.

Hey Scotty, While I don't think it is a requirement for the nurses to ride along to maintain their ACLS here (they run plenty of codes as you are aware),we have had nurses ride just to see what we do in the field. Jim

Exactly. You really need to have both medications available to you. I've knocked people out with 50mcg of Fentanyl. Others 50mcg won't touch and require require a higher dose. I prefer to administer MSO4 to my Cardiac pt.'s due to the vasodilation of the drug, except for most Right-sided events. Fentanyl IMHO is a great tool. As a provider though, you need to evaluate the pt. and decide what they require. To have the option of Fentanyl or MSO4 is paramount and you SHOULD carry both.

Wow! I must be closer to placing one foot in the ground then I originally thought. At minimum, I place a 3-lead on most pt.'s even though it doesn't tell you much. If I have any inclination that something else is going on, a 12-lead. I don't think Mobey's treatment is any different that what I'd do. Sometimes, people just die. Try not to dwell on it to much brother. If the hospital couldn't save him, it was his time.

Or a Newfie! Those were pretty funny and I got them all! (although I should eh). My partner on the other hand required some remediation. I thought she knew all about the Great White North! After all, she's been my partner for 3 years.

FYI, Wake County EMS is a stand alone EMS system. Although they work closely with Raleigh FD, they are not affiliated. In fact, there is only one Fire/EMS service in NC that I am aware of. I don't see the point of joining a FD if he wants to pursue a EMS career. My advice to the OP is to finish high school and enroll in the Emergency Medical Science degree program at Wake Tech if EMS is what you truly want to do. There are some really great EMS services in NC. Wake, MEDIC and Forsyth County readily come to mind. Like paramedicmike stated, it is difficult to know what you want to do in the future at the tender age of 17. We know, we've been there. I suggest you give Wake County EMS a call and see if they have a ride-along program (I'm certain they do). Explain that you are interested in becoming a Paramedic and would like to observe the crews at work. Until you actually are exposed to what EMS is truly like, you really don't know. Edit: I just re-read your opening post. I neglected to see that you had your GED. Kudos to you for finishing school! Stop by Wake Tech and ask an advisor about the EMS degree programme for this fall. If your going to do this, go big!

Hey Ugly. I don't know if you've considered a demo or remount, but they can save you a considerable amount of money. The service I am employed by just bought a demo ambulance with 10,000 miles on it, fully loaded, for just over $100,000. Just food for thought. Here is one that fits your criteria. http://www.fostercoach.com/1d.html Good luck with your venture!

I have developed my own policy (not the Counties in which I am employed) that no one rides in the ambulance unless as Herbie stated, the pt. is a minor or a female victim of a sexaual assault. It can be distracting to the driver of the ambulance. Constantly turning around trying to see what I'm doing is distracting to the driver and dangerous to them. I gladly advise them they are free to follow us. The main reason is, I'm tired of people sticking their head through the middle asking me what I'm doing, or asking "is she ok?".

Damn! While that seems like a stretch, one of the reasons I pretty much acquire a 12-lead on all pt.'s except severe trauma (usually to much else going on). At minimum, all CP and SOB pt.'s get a 12-lead. It only takes a minute and you never know what you're going to get( with apologizes to Forrest Gump). We had a pt. last shift who presented with 0 CP, non diaphoretic, no SOB, but just wasn't feeling "quite right". 12-lead showed he was having a Inferior MI.