tcripp

What a great opportunity! Working in a rural service with transport times up to 1/2 hour to a local facility and 1.5 hours to a level I trauma, PCI, stroke center; I'll share what we use. Pain management - we carry both fentanyl and morphine. Antiemetics - Zofran. Bronchospasm - We carry albuterol, xopenex and ipratroprium. Sedatives - valium and versed. We also carry etomidate for RSI. Versed is the only drug we have IM for those occasions when we can't get an IV established. Nitroglycerin - we carry paste, tablets and spray. I am currious why you say a tablet isn't very controlled? I'd think you'd say that about the spray. Depending on how rural you are, in addition to these, might I suggest you also look at STEMI protocols (plavix, metaprolol and heparin), labetelol for hypertensive crisis, and RSI protocols.

How do I get some of what she's got? I've been sneezing all nights and, well, NOT ONCE!

Don't apologize for the questions. It's good for us (okay, me) to keep my mind sharp.

While in school, we took a field trip to CTECC (Austin's operation center and EMS dispatch operations) where we sat and listened to quite a few recorded 911 calls. Interestingly enough, the calls that were more calm in nature were those from children. Dispatcher said she'd rather deal with the kid callers...every time. Now, when I'm teaching a CPR class I'll be sure to teach that if you have a child around, have them call 911 while you begin CPR.

Decide your priority and be sure to ask that question when they call. Most companies will apprciate that you are up front with them and will, if unable to work with the schedule, invite you to come back after you've graduated.

Thank you all for participating. I got in on two rounds of email both of which were similar in nature that read, "What's happened to professional courtesy?" and were basically bashing law enforcement for giving them a ticket for speeding. I found myself thinking, "...BUT YOU WERE SPEEDING!" So then I wanted to do a value check - maybe I've missed the boat here. * Docharris - I love your example. * NYCEMS - you just say you "agree in it" but you don't tell me what you think "it" is. I'm assuming by your response that you fall in the "it's what law enforcement can do for me" category.* * Richard - I like your example about the station attendant. * Chbare - thank you. Assuming that professional courtesy is only "what law enforcement can do for me" makes absolutely no sense. Should we absolutely be given a free ride because we chose to knowingly break the law? If that's the case, how do we ever reciprocate? Now, for my interpretation of professional courtesy. The courtesy, I would think, would be within the same profession. Therefore, only law officers can offer each other a professional courtesy. Same for EMS, same for FF. I believe that what we do for each other is something more along the lines of "above and beyond customer service". **edited for formatting only**

Curious. What is your definition of "professional courtesy"?

It's okay to miss a question. Just make sure it's a learning experience. You usually dont miss it again. Let us know how you did.

Behavioral interviews are "all the rage" these days. Actually, they've been around for many, many years. Examples include: Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to be a medic...or why did you become a medic? Why are you interested in this service? What do you know about this service? Define your strengths, weaknesses. We've all said things we regret, name a time you said something to a customer or coworker you wish you could take back. Describe a conflict you've had with a coworker and how you handled it. Describe a conflict you've had with a supervisor and how you handled it. What makes you a better candidate/can you bring to the table that makes you special? How do you deal with stress? Short list, I can assure you. Now, the trick is to be prepared with the answers. Get someone to practice with you. Practice in the mirror. ESPECIALLY, THE HARD QUESTIONS. If the answer is going to be in a negative light, figure out how to turn it around to appear more favorable. Essentially, they want to see how you respond rather than with what you respond. Make sense? Example: Describe your weaknesses. We all have them, so you have to say something. For me, my weakness is that I am lazy. However, I also use that to my advantage. I will look for ways to make things more efficient so that I'm not in the midst of redundancy. Around here, we kept our meds in one bag, syringes in another and our needles/blunts in a third. We now have everything combined so that a drug can be drawn in a more timely manner to benefit out patient. I know there are other posts about how to dress, speak, act, etc for interviews, so I won't go in to that here. However, if you have more specific questions, I'll be more than happy to help. ...and, good luck! Toni That will be appropriate. Please make sure your clothes are cleaned, ironed and well fitting. Also, ensure that your shoes are appropriate. No tennis shoes, please. (You'd be surprised).

To this specific scenario, did they give any indication as to how long that tourniquet had been in place?

Thanks, AK. I've been looking for something like this!

You do realize, I'm asking about sedating without paralyzing? Not the other way around...

The offer stands. And, I've read up on your novel. I might just have to give it a read. I have always been a fan of Stephen King myself...

Please do not rate us all by the few. I can assure you we are not all of the same mind set. I for one would be more than happy to provide the information you need, if I can.

Good question. All those years of education and I don't recall once ever being told to put a space before a "?". Definitely depends on the shift at hand. There are events where sitting is a luxury. Then, there are shifts where my butt takes the brunt of the ache. I recommend a trip to your podiatrist and then maybe a look at your foot wear. They may simply not be appropriate for what you are doing.

Although I can't speak to Orlando, my recommendation is to get patient experience by volunteering your time. At the same time, it's all about networking. Talk to those with whom you did your ride outs. They know what you are capable of and might have some insight on openings and might even be able to put in a good word for you. Also expand your horizons a little. Be prepared to work in a different type of patient care environment or even drive a bit to get to a job you want. (I currently drive 1.5 hours each way for my full time position.) If your resume doesn't include patient care experience, then focus on the other things that are important to the job in which you are applying. Think along the lines of reporting, time management, inventory...what have you done in your employment history that would fit the new profession which you are seeking? Hope this helps. Toni

Geo, while you are working on your English/grammar skills, I'd like to also recommend you look for a local Medical Explorers group. Check with your local fire department and EMS service to see if they have information for you. This will give you a small sampling to let you know if this really is the direction you'd like to go. Good luck. Toni

I applaud you as well. This is the biggest reason that I join in on forums - to continue my education so I can learn from others. It's also the reason I was doing the "What would you do" scenarios. I found myself at a crossroad in possible treatments and wanted to see if my peers would have gone the same way, gone the other, and why for either choice. Thanks for putting this out there.

Thanks for the feedback!

Just the hearse drivers. ha ha My life has been full and I have been privileged to have held jobs in so many different careers - all of which have made me the person I am today. But, when I first became a first responder, age became my biggest enemy. Well, fear of age. I'm too old to do this full time. I'm too old to work a 24 hour shift. I'm too old to go back to school. Heck, I'm too old to be smart enough to keep up with the young farts getting in to this business. Guess what? I'm not too old. And, with my background, I have the patience and wisdom to get through a call...calmly. With a little more experience under my belt, I'll be able to add "assuredly" to that sentence. People look at me with reverence. Even as a newbie, my patients feel comfortable with me because they think I've been doing this for years. Finally, gray hairs pay off. Look at me now. I graduated the full program in record time after not having taken a full load of classes in 20 years and with good grades. Yes, the 20 year-old students grasp the material a little more quickly than I at first glance...but I have the ability to take multiple concepts and merge them together. 24 hour shifts...heck. I work 48 hour shifts. It may take me a little longer to recover, but I eat/drink/live healthy, so I'm not worried about burnout. And, (I know...never start a sentence with "but" or "and") I have enough of a background that I can bring more than just my medic skills to the table. I hope this will make me more of a value-add to my service. As my husband says frequently, everything happens for a reason.

Thank you, sir. I really wish I had known about the profession much sooner.

Ahem. I'm ready for more information. What other details can you provide?

For me...yes. It's used refractory to adenosine... Of course...there is always a little jolt...

Any change in your patient's presentation after the first dose? 2nd dose of adenosine and then ready for diltiazem...while still being prepared for the cardioversion.