AnthonyM83

I guess Los Angeles wouldn't be the ideal place then...

Though you could find some good areas in Malibu

But we're talking big cash. But wow, what a great area (of course, you'd still be in LA County...so on second thought...)

While you may not care about titles, I do. Call me shallow, but I see this as a vital step in the advancement of the paramedic profession.

I think the response you got was because you said wrote your previous post in response to people talking about changing the title to progress EMS. You made it seem like you were a little above that because your specific papers already said just "Paramedic". That's not the norm in a lot of places, though...and even EMT programs are still teaching EMT Basic and EMT Paramedic.

The MICP is a joke I've been told (from people who have transferred into the state)...as far as what an MICP really is...

How do I give rep?

I went on hiatus right when they started instituting it and can't remember...

My family LOVES House. Personally I think it's a ridiculous show. Every day they deal with some bizarre disease or issue that nobody has ever heard of.

One could also go on about how quickly they get lab results and how the doctors are all pros at doing every lab themselves, from getting the sample to running the lab to interpretation of every result themselves.

Eh, I'm over it. Do you know how many procedures they make a big deal on that (and other medical shows) that really aren't? If the doctors aren't making a big deal about it....

Los Angeles moved from Diazepam to Midazolam last summer 09. In addition to seizures, they added chemical restraint as an indication (for excited delirium situations). It's worked really great when I used it. Part of the reason they switched to it, is the shorter duration (in cases of overdose).

Here it's the act of taking off your boots.

We would keep track of this. We would literally call it out before we did it so no one could make it up ("oh, I JUST took my boots off"). We'd call it out, then do (either to recline on couch or go to bed), and the phone would ring within 60 seconds...even if it had been quiet for hours.

I was taught disconnecting the BVM was to remove the O2 source to prevent ignition. Always wondered about that.... I have a feeling a lot of these are based on a negative event that HAS actually happened...like once. Then trickles down as a new rule everyone has to do to prevent it. (Not saying the removing O2 source one is...but it's another example where sources weren't cited).

Oh, I just got annoyed because I didn't realize the post was old after previous poster replied, so was sitting there coming up with different scenarios then realized he didn't even really need them (at least urgently).

Scenarios ARE always helpful, though, Richard.

TC with ejections. Some in the car, some on the street, maybe a baby (a doll) under the seat. Practice traiging, scene management, pediatric immobilization.

Drive by shooting at a party. Multiple down.

Explosion (factory, terrorist, whatever). Shrapnel injuries. Can bring up lessons in scene safety, secondary explosions, nauseous gases, various tricky injury types, popped lungs, tinnitus, temporary deafness, internal bleeding, partially penetrating objects, START Triage, calling for appropriate resources, limiting radio communications on-scene, burns, pinned patients, dealing with panicked patients, etc). You can go as big or small as you want with this one (2 patients or 10, depending on role-player students or instructors present to oversee/critique)

My fav multiple pt scenario: medical for weak/dizzy --> then have family member collapse. While he's all caught up in that, have the partner pass out, too. Don't drag it out, just do it until he realizes what's going on and vacates the scene. They'll probably always remember that one.

Anthony, Just for the record I'm a guy! Secondly whats wrong with it being anyone? you need someone specific, if the pic did have a face would you know who it belonged too?? ha

Haha. Well, then it's just worthless.

I've been gone so long from here, I've forgotten who's who.

And yes, a face implies it's not just some random pic from google

Only amateur pics for me, thank you

I've read articles that go both way on this issue. I have a feeling the type of gloves one wears can make a difference. I've had people give me anecdotal stories of people from specific agencies/hospitals going into cardiac arrest from touching the patient. It's not clear what kind of contact it was, though (gloves? arm touching patient's hand? etc) I've also read the articles saying people were unaffected by the shocks in one study that was done.

No... you just wanted us all to look at your tits.

Mission accomplished.

Not complaining...just calling ya out on it

(And boob shot is worthless without a face...this could be anyone)

Seeing as he posted that in October 2009, I get the feeling the scenario day is now past....

There's been worse ideas.

I actually don't think it's that bad. I'd rather have a driver-only person on the ambulance so my partner and I can be in the back. As long as he gets the same training a full-time EMT would get and drives safely and smoothly and can maybe lend a hand on-scene (carrying, holding doors open, picking up equipment, gathering medications, and doing proper CPR), then it's better than just having you and you EMT/Medic partner. Now, if he's REPLACING the EMT/Medic partner, then that's a FAIL.

Thanks all.

BTW, anyone who does hiring know why an address is required for my personal references?

I hate putting down friend's home addresses.

I'm putting down a police officer who won't want it released (so I'll put work address).

Then, my previous coworker who is unemployed because he went to paramedic school full-time and just finished (so not work address).

Filling out some EMT job applications. I never really know what to put when they ask you your desired pay rate? Is it something that will affect whether you get an interview? I've previously put "standard pay based on experience"...

I have the suspicion five other kids could have word the same thing and been fine that day. Those five kids specifically together in the way they wore the shirts caused the decision to be made. The problem was not the shirts.

Thanks everyone. Haven't replied because I've been trying to figure out what do next.

Jobs are very hard to come by right now in EMS. I feel like I have some pretty good references...just need open spots...might do the IFT-only thing for bit. Would be a nice time to try ER for awhile...if any were hiring. Might do a little side stint in loss prevention, too...use some of my other background.

I really appreciate everyone's comments and support. I read them all.

Thank you.

Contact the Palo Alto Fire Department in California.

They used to have an extremely solid EMS Explorer post.

Not sure if it's still active, though.

Something I've started asking after two recent calls: Were any interventions done for the child?

People might not be willing to speak up about having done abdominal thrusts, back blows, compressions, ventilations on others, especially if they spontaneously recovered. There's the fear that it wasn't really needed, but the children need to be evaluated further for any trauma the inteventions might have caused.

Crapmagnet, the EMT who rear-ended someone when he let the brake slip at a stoplight was a good employee, one of the best attitudes I've seen, very respectful and mature, in paramedic shcool. They were nice to him, but explained that rules are rules. He was also honest about everything. Almost too honest I've heard. Clear driving record at the job, too.

Fiz, one 24-hour shift of suspension. Got the call on Thursday, next business day was for them was Monday. I was only working 1 shift in that time period. Not sure if it's paid time off or not... No union.

There are many IFT jobs in LA, but I don't feel that those would further my skills and profession. Four other 911 companies, but don't know if I'll be hireable after a firing. Also, all of them are quite a commute (LA county is large and traffic is slooow).

I can agree that it was bad judgment not to report any dent no matter how small in my mind, but I think that's what's going to hurt me. It just didn't even think twice about it, rather than trying to hide anything. I know much better than trying to deceive anyone. I'm usually the one reminding new employees to always be honest about everything and you'll usually be okay. Not sure how to convey that to management, though. :-/

What specific circumstances does she do well in? Small group scenarios? Maybe do those so she can shine?

Answering questions quickest? Play a game of EMS bingo (think there's Powerpoint downloads out there specifically for that).

Written questions? Congratulate her in front of everyone for getting such a good score.

Maybe throw out some harder questions during class that you know she has the best chance at answering... Make her shine in front of others.

Okay, so got into a pickle at work.

One of the rules is that you report any vehicle contacts (like bumping into another car). Any at-fault accident gets you fired, even if minor minor damage (don't know another job like that). Lost best EMT I knew of at the company last month because he let the brake slip while stopped at a light and tapped the car in front of him.

I love patient care, so I'm in the back almost exclusively. Yesterday, decided to be "driver" to switch things up a bit. I scraped the sidewalk curb at some point in the day. Didn't even think twice, no big bump or anything.

Next morning (it's 24 hour shifts), the new shift points out a TINY dent in the outside of the tire rim. I could have said I had no idea where it came from, but I volunteered it might have been from bumping a curb yesterday. They mark it on their daily vehicle checkout sheet.

Usually those sheets are never reviewed. Today the supervisor did. Reported it to management.

Got a call later that day (yesterday) from a manager saying he was placing me on suspension for failing to report a vehicle contact. Said an investigation would have to be done. And I should come down to the office on Monday (next business day) to talk.

I'm feeling pretty anxious about this.

There's a good chance I could be let go, especially if they feel I was trying to cover up damage. I feel like honesty is one of my best traits and have always stayed out of trouble by always being honest. Even in HS when kids were trying to finish HW in class, I'd just tell the teacher at the beginning that I hadn't done it and would get extra days for honesty.

I don't know if the firing decision will have been made already when I go in to talk to them or not (usually they have us fill out incident reports for these things first), but I'm not great with explaining myself on the spot. I'll take responsibility for having bad judgment on not reporting the dent...but might be too late.

Any outside observer views on my situation? Maybe any other supervisors or managers out there with feedback? Except for getting PCR's kicked back I don't really have a bad history with them. No attitude type things.

Thoughts?

Thanks guys

Indirectly they are, as at least one of them will be in attendance.

Who would be the contact person if someone from the public wanted to give an opinion on the issue?