FireMedic65

I have been thinking about this for awhile and I felt it was in order. I am my fire departments chief medical officer. We have "rules" set in place for a 2 bottle limit into structure fires, for example. We run a variety of calls, such as wildland, structure fires, SAR, water rescue. Living here the temps can range from bitter cold to pretty darn hot. Humidity is also a problem. Anyway, with that background, I felt I should put something in place for evaluations. Say, for example a firefighter comes out of a fire and I feel they do not look capable of returning, I have the authority to say no. Yes, we have rehab. I guess what I am trying to say is I would like ideas and suggestions on how to place protocols for such situations where myself, an appointed/trained person, or another EMT/Medic clears them to return to duty on the scene. I do not really see anyone having a problem with this, I just want something in writing, since there is nothing in our SOG for a medical officers duties/authority. Thanks in advanced.

It is truly sad that some people fall for that crap. Thanks for the heads up Richard.

Yes, the best thing you can do is participate. Get involved in discussions, offer input, and learn. Take your time and try to look professional.

spell check

People actually live in ND? Just kidding Welcome to the city!

Hello and welcome to the city. Many people here and brilliant people and can offer lots of great advice. Don't feel like you have to sit back and watch, get involved. We do not bite.. much.

That was great!

With a handle such as yours, I really hope you do not have that type of attitude. That being said, interviews will vary greatly from each employer. I have been places where my interview was two questions to interviews that took a couple hours to some that even had PT tests. You are most likely to expect the typical interview questions. Maybe you will get some about patients and scenarios. Being new in the EMS world will make finding a job difficult. The best advice I can give you is present yourself in a very professional manner. Do not be cocky, be confident. Dress nice and give yourself plenty of time to get there EARLY. Also remember, you are not just interviewing to get the job, you are interviewing if you want to work there. Ask questions. If this really the place you want to work for? Edited: Search the forums also... this has been discussed many times before about interviewing.

As with most other professions, there comes a bit of stress. In EMS we are often over worked and have a ton on our mind all the time about patient care. We are treated like shit by patients, fellow employees, bosses, hospital staff, etc etc a lot. This takes a toll on our spirit and personality. I was told a long time ago from a very wise instructor that in EMS no one will ever truly understand what we do unless they try doing it themselves. We get burned out and we often forget that our loved ones love us and we take it out on them. Which, this of course is not fair to them, but it happens. I am sorry to hear things are rough for you and I beg you to do all you can to work things out. Sit down with her and try explaining how you feel. If possible, try cutting back your hours. Can she come visit you at work? I seen this a lot, where a wife/husband would come to the station with lunch to their spouse and they would have lunch/dinner together. Don't let work ruin your relationship. You have to talk about things. Talk about your day and how you feel about it. Try your best to NOT complain about it. Be positive for her. Be strong.

You still have some errors, Dwayne But in all seriousness, you are 100% correct.

Hey proper grammar techniques are petty hard. Sure, I have poor grammar at times and my spelling sucks. But I do use spell check and I often proof read what I write. This isn't an English course where we should have to write with logical fallacies and keeping sentences parallel, but it can help. I agree with what others are saying though. Puking words into a terribly written paragraph/sentence that seemingly has no start or end to it makes others not even other reading or taking the questions seriously. Try harder, people will respect it and answer you accordingly. And to answer your questions.. do a scene size up. You know, that thing you do on every call.

This is why you document everything in detail. I used to write at least a page for a narrative for basic IFT calls. The same for lift assist and being canceled. I was "spoken with" a few times from the higher ups that it was not needed and to stop doing it. I disagreed and eventually quit that job because they seemed like they didn't care. Regardless, the patient always holds the right to refuse care, treatment and transport (except of course they are mentally unable to make their own decisions). As for your partner not doing paperwork on lift assists, they are putting themselves in a bad spot for liability. Every call should have documented proof and be well written like you actually care about your job and the patient.

A&P is difficult, especially when it's built into a paramedic course. Things go quick and they are hardly touched upon. There is so much detail that you have to go over and commit to memory. In medic programs you usually spend a couple classes on it then that's it. Which I do not agree with because of the same reason you are having issues with. I struggled with it as well when I went through medic school. Now, I am taking proper A&P classes and I completely understand things A LOT better now than I ever did. My advice is to get a book outside the medic material and study that. Learn the basics and go from there. READ READ READ READ! It's hard bur not impossible.

merely a brand name

Reminds me of the char Andy Dick played in "Employee of the Month". This kind of care should be reported before she hurts someone. Yes I know it was just a bandaid, but she was also a nurse. That means she has her hands on equipment that can potentially harm a patient or kill them if not used properly. Also, hope your sister feels better. Migraines are hell.

Dixie cups and string

He was a great asset to our military. Very glad we have people like him out there fighting the bad guys and leading our troops. RIP Major.

That kind of attitude will surly get you hired! Keep it up

pffft I've seen worse... apparently these asshats don't know about the internet

quite a few medics I'd like to see in a bikini top and thongs for a uniform... just saying

In theory it is a good idea. Paramedics should know what they are doing. But, this is a big but. Not everyone is a good teacher. The person can be very smart and very good at what they do.. but suck at teaching. If a person cannot teach well, then the students will get nothing out of it. They will be taking BP using the caritoid artery or something. If a paramedic student wants to help with an EMT class, sure why not. But making them teach, not a good idea.

So is this just something you wanted to mention or was there some sort of new way to get certified as an instructor?

At least once a shift the ambulance gets a minimal rinse. Unless it's really dirty, it gets washed. After each call, the inside is cleaned out. Cot sprayed down and wiped. Floors are cleaned with mop and cleaning solution. Start of each shift rigs are washed. Insides are cleaned out and wiped down. After calls where there is more than just a "transport" everything is cleaned. If it is "messy" it's put out of service and sanitized. (at least that is what is supposed to happen.. not everyone follows the rules)

Go big or go home. Many areas are phasing out intermediates. I figure why half ass your education. With a few more hours of training and school you can just get your paramedic. Go for it.

Associates degree program. A&P 1 and 2 are a must (semester each) both with labs College English 1 and 2 A computer class A math, higher than basic math. (med math can be taught in depth during actual medic training) Medical terminology A course in phlebotomy Pharmacology EVOC A communications class Some sort of rescue. Be is rope rescue, vehicle rescue, what ever so the providers have an awareness of what to do before rescue/fire arrives. these are pre-reqs required before starting the medic program Actual medic program will be intense. Quizzes every class, hands on scenarios every class. Skills stations every class. You must pass them. Testing you have to have 80 or above to advance in the program (harsh maybe.. but the "passing is passing" never settled well with me). Instruction will be from educators and experienced providers. People who read from power points need not apply. Students now how to read. Instruction on a chapter will take more than a night of class. Some things take longer than others. But A lot of info is a lot of info to absorb in one class. Clinical will be intense. Students will not sit around reading their texts. They will work. Preceptors will be asked to put them to work and grade them on performance. Clinical will also be extended. A few hours in a certain location is not enough. The majority of our learning comes from hands on experience. They will get it. You will pass all stations/skills before allowed to perform in clinical.