2Rude4MyOwnGood

I dont think you should have much of a problem being accepted into the course, althoug it depends on where you are taking it. Around here its a community college class so your driving/criminal record is not a factor. If you have money, you can take the class. Getting hired is another story. You are young, and having a DUI is often a career killer in EMS. Im not saying that its impossible, but its certainly an uphill battle. Good luck.

I cannot respect somebody who wears manpris. Sorry, i'll pass.

I used the same books and while they are great texts, we didnt use 2 of them at all. I sold mine on Ebay.

I did not know there was a popliteal vein, although it makes sense now that i think about it. Yes, it was intentional....and unsuccessful.

That is an artery, pretty dangerous to go digging around in there. Ive only seen one person, the EMS supervisor, go for an artery (brachial). It wasnt pretty. I would absolutely drill and IO before i went for an artery.

I would hope not! If you are referring to all of the talk about IOs, they go into the Tibia.

Since hypovolemia is an issue with this patient, after a few failed attempts at a peripheral IV, im reaching for the IO. Its quick, easy to use, and again....quick.

To add to my earlier post. Now that i think about it, i think its most likely that you would have to go through their Intermediate program first since the AEMT scope of practice doesnt include ECG interpretation and a few other interventions.

NVCC's Paramedic program is mediocre at best, but there just arent a whole lot of options in the Northern Virginia area. There is the AEC program but i wouldnt suggest going there at all. Very high failure rate and its not a degree program. You may want to contact some of the schools directly. Currently, you must have completed your EMT-I/99 in order to move on to the Paramedic level classes at NVCC. Im not sure if they will consider your AEMT cert to be equivalent, but since its a school and they like to make money, im guessing it wont. Who knows though? Id shoot an email to Holly Frost (Dean of the EMS department) and see if they will accept that or make you go through their Intermediate program first. HFrost@nvcc.edu.

Definitely have been learning a lot on my rides, although it really depends on the preceptor i have. Most are very helpful and eager to teach but there are some who make us feel like we are in the way. Not only are we 'allowed' to do help, we are required to. If you just sit back and watch you wont get credit for going on the call. We also have some numbers to meet (IVs, meds, intubations, etc.) so things are rarely boring. We are scheduled to ride with whoever is available. Things that the system could do better? Ensuring that we are with preceptors who are willing to teach. Its rare, but ive been stuck with people who clearly dont want me there. Its a waste of my time.

I dont live in Phily so i dont have a ton of information for you. Your best bet is to do some Googling and check out the different department's websites. Most should have an online application, or at least some contact information to a supervisor who will be able to answer your questions. Generally speaking, most major cities dont have too many openings for paid EMT-Bs. Plenty of room for volunteers though. Although any paycheck is better than no paycheck, EMT-Bs dont make a whole lot of money so i wouldnt plan on making a career out of it. If you wish to make a career out of EMS id look into medic schools in the Philly area. Many volunteer agencies will pay for you to go to school, and having your medic will open up paid opportunities.

Couldnt agree more. i recently took my EMT-I/99 exam and i was blown away at how easy it was. It was borderline insulting. There were only a couple of ACLS questions, and the ones that were on the exam were VERY basic. The practical portion of the exam was much more challenging, but success really hinged on drawing a 'cool' tester for each station. There were quite a few people in my class who were clueless in labs during the program, but somehow managed to pass on their first try at registry.

I disagree with this. There are plenty of kids who were not glued to their gaming console, and participated in sports. There is absolutely a growing movement of parents who do a good job guiding their children towards a healthy lifestyle. Sadly, they may not outweigh (pardon the pun) the lazy parents who allow their children to eat garbage and sit inside all day. Couldnt agree more. I dont understand how healthcare providers can justify living an unhealthy lifestyle when we have such a good understanding of what is causing many of the illness' we treat. Im not saying that everyone needs to be a fitness model, but some level of good health should be expected.

Im just quoting this because i like how you think. Would you believe me if i told you that a student in my medic program was sent home from his internship shift because he was unable to figure out how a nasal cannula works. True story. Or the guy who tried to intubate holding the scope in his right hand, we still make fun of him for that one. Im surrounded by idiots, please save me.

Interesting point. I was referring to physical health, but i agree that mental fitness is equally important. I wasnt thinking about students with disabilities, but more along the lines of the obese. While ive had classes with a student who had cerebral palsy, ive had/seen more classes with students who are obese. Im not saying that an obese person shouldnt be allowed to participate, but i just dont think that many of the out-of-shapers understand the importance of physical fitness in this field. They are in for a rude awakening when it comes time to take their CPAT, or realize how difficult it can be to move a large patient on a call.

This might be in the wrong section but i figured that "health" should cover this on. Mods, move if you would like to. Do you think there should be a mimimum level of fitness for each future student when they get into EMS? Ill leave it at that for now.

I see that you'e in MD. It would seem that once you become a member with the firehouse, they will happy to point you in the right direction, which will be for you to obtain your EMTB cert. Thats the next step, putting you though a EMT-B course

Im curious as well. There is virually no waiting to get into an EMT class, but tons of waiting to get on with a rescue squad. MORE PLEASE OP!

It may be that they dont have a choice to precept or not, so some might not be as into is as others. The county just throws us on with a medic crew, they often dont even know we are coming, and they sure as heck didnt sign up to precept.

Im absolutely ok with this. I think most students would feel like they are being included, which is pretty important to me. Also, big difference between being told you are going to carry the trash instead of the LifePak and airway kit! All in good fun if you ask me. One of the worst things a preceptor can do is make the student feel excluded from the group. They dont have to offer me coffee or lunch (which they usually do), but at least talk to me. I dont ask for much, just keep me in the loop when we are heading to a call and more information comes in about the patient via the computer. If a preceptor doesnt want me to practice an ALS skill on their ambulance, im ok with that too. Some guys just arent there to teach, and dont want a student potentially messing things up. I understand. The worst thing a preceptor can do is just ignore me and make me feel like im in the way. I rode with a grizzled vet for 12 hours on one of my internship shifts this past semester. He never acknowledged my presence once...literally...not once. If i spoke to him, he would reply. He kept it very short though. I asked if i could start the next IV and he just laughed in my face. A simple 'no' would have sufficed. This guy was a real jackass. HE NEVER WORE GLOVES either. He had no problem starting IVs with his bare hands. I was shocked. And when i asked why our 78 year old female complaining of nausea got an 18g IV instead of a 20g, he told me "everyone gets and 18g from me unless is a small child". Seems a bit cruel if you ask me. Back at the station he began a conversation with another medic about how much he hates students, or anyone who hasnt been getting paid to do this for at least 5 years. I was sitting 10 feet away. Just a cruddy guy who i learned nothing from that day. Thankfully his partner was awesome and would go over calls and class assignments in our downtime.

I agree with this. Get a decent single lumen stethoscope but id hold off on everything else. For example, some agencies only allow certain brands/types of boots to be used. Best to wait and find out exactly what you need. Trauma shears, pen lights, and the smaller stuff is very inexpensive, but may be provided for you in the field.

I liked it. Whoever did the intro was struggling to stay in line with the beat but i dig the Fresh Prince reference. The rest of the video was pretty cool, looks like you guys have a nice medic program up there. Never heard of one with a fitness class but thats a really good idea. There are few folks in my program who could use some exercise.

Vitamin B deficiency?

Thats similar to what we have done at the Intermediate level. Obviously, we started out on simple mannequins, then we moved to the simulation lab where my school has a great "computerized" mannequin which is controlled by an instructor who can manipulate the airway (laryngospasm, edema, etc.). Then its on the OR where we work with live patients under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. LMAs and ETTs are pretty much the only advanced airways used in hospitals here so it would have been nice to get more practice with Kings and Combitubes, but thats out of my hands. I agree that 1 year isnt enough training though. Just because i feel comfortable with my skills doesnt mean that everyone does. There are absolutely some students in my class who struggle with airway management, hopefully they will get weeded out come registry.

Great point. I can only speak for the training that i received but i feel that ive been prepared quite well for ET intubation. Whats going on in other programs? Yes, that is a serious question. Im assuming that some programs only give their students practice on the mannequins in class, no live tubes before being released?