djmedic

I am contemplating relocating to Florida. Possibly the Kissimmee/St. Cloud area. I know that Florida does not have reciprocity with any other state. But any information about EMS or EMS companies in that area would be of great help. Thank You

Actually it is. Experience is gained from every call. from the holy crap call to the BS taxi ride... every little thing helps...

ok

phili fire handles ems for the city... if anyone else handles 911 for Philli I would interested in knowing whom as well

do you work there? per google maps it is only a 2hr drive from where my wife is looking

If I start already burnt out, will that help............ UGH.... and the wife wants to stay within 1 hour of the great adventure area because that is where the family lives...so in that location anything outside the state of NJ would be one hell of a commute...

wow...I take it you work or have worked in NJ...which company? ok let it out, I know you want to...what is so bad about MONOC? I looked into Phili and it seems that a new hire medic at Phili fire start at a set amount regardless of experience and they don't pay all that well, either... I am trying to keep a positive outlook on working in NJ and you are really scaring me. You were correct that I am thinking 'well, I know it is bad, but I can handle it'. I am not truly being left with many options...

Oh yeah...that I know...I also the protocols are very limiting... I am in a progressive (well, it feels progressive after working in Buffalo, NY) system. the only thing I need to call med-control for is RSI. It is a VERY nice feeling know I can treat my patients appropriately with out having to argue with an ER doc. But I also know that starting out in NJ will be mother may I but as time goes on and the ER docs realize I actually have a clue then it won't so bad at that point. I know about the volly squads and their over zealousness. I understand how that works coz in the suburbs of Buffalo they all have ambulances so I have dealt that mentality before...it gets really tough biting your tongue at times...lol I will admit, I would also like to try to improve the system there...or at least help to try...I am not a 1 man show by any means...lol...

Actually yes. please continue. Do you work in the state? Do you have 1st hand knowledge of this? If not, how did you learn of this?

I know... I have been told all about NJ EMS...but I have family there... but out of curiosity, how much is serious money?

Is there a way I could get a copy of the NJ Paramedic protocols? How are medics usually deployed? Are you 911 only? Transfers only? a mix (scheduled 911 & transfer days, you start 911 but if a transfer comes in they pull you from rotation, etc)? Do you know what starting average pay is NJ? Is there a union? How are the benefits? My wife seems interested in the Jackson, Egg Harbor and surrounding areas for us to live...any suggestions on companies to approach? how busy is it? Is there a lot of violence? More trauma? More medical? or about equal? I have worked in an urban setting for quite some time. I apologize for the ton of questions, but trying to as much info as I can before I plunge head first. Thank you for your time in advance. DJ

I'm not sure if this belongs under this category or not but here goes. I am curious about the possibility of suing a patient or patient's estate when we get injured on their property do to ice or snow or obstructions. Or if we get injured having to lift these BIG patients. Here is my quick scenario (I'm sure others have their own): I was sent on a call for trauma code. The house has small wooden stairs leading into the 2nd floor. The patient slipped and fell on these steps, got him self into the entrance on the 2nd floor and collapsed. well, as I entered the premises, I too, slipped on those very icy stairs injuring my knee. I have since returned to full duty but being out on comp did not cover the bills. 60% of my pay falls very short. Another scenario is you have lift a very large patient with just you and your partner and you end up with a career ending back injury. Do we as providers have any legal way to collect these lost wages? and how would HIPPA impact these actions? I know that there are ethical and moral issues tacked on as well. Thank you for your time and consideration of this question. -DJ And if anyone is curious, I did work the code, even though I was injured and by the time we got to the hospital we had pulses back, but not spontaneous respirations. He held out until the next day.

I too am a NY medic (until September)...I took the registry. I know quite a few people who took the registry. as someone said reciprocity is 1 very good reason. I have moved to NH which requires national registry...actually you need your registry to get your license in this state at any level for the little extra work, effort and money, it is worth it...

I worked in Buffalo, NY for over 4 years before moving away... The main rule is if the pt is CAOx3 then you take them where they wanna within distance limits...otherwise it is kidnapping exceptions: critical non-CAO x3 calls are closest most appropriate facility (meaning trauma goes to the level trauma center bypassing as many hospitals as needed to get there. There is still a judgement that goes with this for closest facility for quick stabilization [for distance reasons]) We had a stroke center in Buffalo and if our Pt or family was requesting a different hospital we would strongly recommend the most appropriate but ultimately had to go where told. For Psych: we had to locked Psych ER's in the city and pshych Pt's (ie. suicidal, halucinations, schizophrenics, etc.) would get a choice of either hospital with psych ER... So sorry about that but if a particular hospital specializes in something (ie. Cardiac Center, Stroke Center, Level I trauma center, or Psych) they will tend to get more than they can handle or want...

There was an older BBC version of the Hitchhiker's book made which was actually pretty good to the book, unlike the crappy hollywood version. The BBC version touches the beginning of "The Restuarant at the End of The Universe" and the ultimate answer is 42...but you have the ultimate question wrong....