JakeEMTP

OP, you will not find to many here at EMTcity that would disagree with you. If you could just convince your union and your dept. of this, all will be good in the world of pre-hospital medical care.

Wait, what? If you have to have a nurse check behind you, maybe they should be doing the triage in the first place. Triage is a very important cog in the ED wheel. It is no place for inexperienced EMT's to be deciding which priority a patient is to be seen. The hospital we frequent has experienced ED RN's doing triage. Sure they're short staffed in the back like everywhere else. However, the importance of triage is paramount. And you know this because you had a 120 hrs of advanced first aid? Say it's not so. Triage is no place to train.

I thought this was a compulsory class Freshman year?

Onwards and upwards! Perhaps even EMS separating from Fire due to the "new"educational requirements (IAFF would have a stroke!). Current certification medics would have to take a "bridge" programme to a AAS Degree in order to continue to function. I for one would be all for it. Paramedic would be the minimum provider on an ambulance much like our friends in the frozen tundra called Canada . We can only dream. I am a firm believer that an AAS degree should be the minimum requirement for Pre-hospital care. This is one dream I'd like to see come true.

According to this website, the "P" stands for programme. http://www.ccemtp.com/ I think I will be enrolling in this class simply to further my education. I don't give a rat's arse about the patch.

UUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHH! # 2 Wendy. My question still stands though.

Ruff, I'd pick # 1. not a big fan of the water. Would you rather have, 1 - The ability to foresee the future or, 2 - a photographic memory

Hmmm, as far as I know, a paramedic candidate for the NR would have to go to a testing site to do the skills portion. Your instructor may be a evaluator, but I think they (NR) prefer to have you test outside the classroom. I had some friends take a paramedic refresher for NR in NC and had to go test in VA somewhere. I might be completely off base here though.

"Cheeseburger in Paradise" - Jimmy Buffett

p3, I agree with you. Somehow youse guys are missing what I'm saying. :? Where exactly, are they to get the money to pay us from? There are grants to help pay for FF personnel. I'm certain if I looked hard enough, I could find one through DHS for Police Officers. AEMS cannot get blood from a stone. Without raising taxes or getting at least half reimbursement for services rendered, how do they find the money to pay $80,000.00/yr per medic? I'm all ears.

Spenac listen, I'm all about the advancement of my profession. As you know, I completed my AAS degree in Dec. '07 and will be starting my BS in EMC in a few weeks. But I'm only one man. Once I complete that degree, I think I deserve to be paid more than certificate medics. Will I? In a word, No. We as a profession will not reap the benefit's of advanced education until several scenarios are disposed of which have been discussed here ad nauseam. Education, hobbiests, too many levels of providers, entry level of education for medics, IAFF medic mills etc., that is what holds us back, not my attitude. I provided a link here with the top 31 jobs and their salaries. Notice the Title, salary and level of education required for entry, Coincidence, I think not. http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/be...op-careers.html I like the all mighty dollar as much as the next guy and wish I made more. But if AEMS medics are already the highest paid (or close to it) in the Country, how much is enough? Spenac, it's not my attitude that is holding my profession back. We have discuss on this very board many times what is holding EMS back. To be clear, I love what I do but won't do it for free. The unfortunate part is there is some people who will. I make a decent living with Gov't benefits and retirement. It could always be more however, salaries across the Country and cost of living where one resides are factored into what rate of pay one receives. What I was saying was, If the Austin City Council can't pay more without raising taxes again, as the article states they are already in a deficit, than they can't. 15.6% over 4 years would be nice. The problem is they can't afford it. Do I think I deserve $80,000.00/yr? Sure I do. Do I think I'll get it? Of course not. I usually agree with what you have to say. This time though, I must disagree my friend. 8)

Firstly, I'm not a big fan of unions. And while the numbers may or may not be correct depending on who you believe, how much money is enough? I would think a 15.6 percent increase is a little excessive. I realise Austin is an expensive place to live and the article states most LEO's and FF's don't reside in the City. That being said, I don't blame the unions for asking for it. Apparently, precedent had been previously set. Ask and ye shall receive, so to speak. Now, it is time for government to be more fiscally responsible. Balanced budgets should be mandated. They cannot continue to go to the well (us) every time there is a shortfall. Enough is enough. We all have to live within our financial restraints and so should government. $40,000.00 for a brand new wet behind the ears medic is a pretty good starting salary. I'm sure with overtime and benefits you could get close to the $80,000.00 quoted. People only see the take home pay. Not what it costs the company to employ you and pay your benefits. EMSPROFESSIONAL made my chuckle. On one hand they state they deserve more than $80,000.00 because of the danger involved in what we do. So what? We knew that going in, I hope. On the other hand they state they're in EMS primarily to help people. Which one is it? Anyway, for $80,000.00, I'm moving to Austin.

" I can't tell you why" - The Eagles

When I did field clinical hours for EMT-B it was 24 hours on a ambulance, 12 hours in the ED. No set number of skill requirements or pt. contacts. I believe it was more to familarise one with the ambulance. For Paramedic it was 600 hrs of clinical time minimum due to the fact one had to complete a certain number of skills. I really didn't like this idea. I was lucky and completed my skill requirements in the allotted time frame. Others in my class took longer to complete theirs. Sort of being in the right place at the right time. I mean, you'd have to be on a "code" in order to defibrillate. I got some of mine on the floors in CICU during hospital clinicals. We weren't assigned a preceptor. We could ride with any paramedic, or work with any nurse that had taken the preceptor class and had been approved by the medical director to function as a preceptor. We had a check off sheet that we carried with us which the preceptor signs and makes comments, good or bad as necessary. Once I have completed my minimum 2 years and managed to keep me nose clean for that time, I would love to precept. That'll be my way of giving back to the community. :roll:

It is also a NC thing. I provided a link to the MOST info here. http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/EMS/dnrmost.html

:shock: The only experience I have with combined dept.'s is also not favorable. They only do EMS to increase their call volume and members, thus receiving more grant money. And no, I'm not bitter because I didn't get on the dept. I never applied and have no desire to fight fire. It just seems to me that as stated here and on numerous threads when this comes up, Fire doesn't have the desire to run EMS. Only an end to a means.

Are you serious? I know you wouldn't be working for us with a track record like your's. Obviously you missed my post. I drove much bigger vehicles than ambulances almost 2 million miles and never even scratched a bumper. You really need to focus. Be aware of your surroundings. If you're driving, that is your focus. Screw the cell phone. If it's really important, they'll leave a message. If you rear ended someone who slammed on their brakes, you were to close. There are no accidents, only collisions. While you're correct in saying the odds of getting into a collision increase with the amount of miles driven, remember it is always somebodies fault.

I have malpractice insurance with HSPO. They are a national company based in Ohio and therefore provide insurance accordingly. There may not be a agent local to you. However, they are reputable. Fortunately, I haven't needed the insurance. It is nice to know it's there though. For $80.00/yr, it's money well spent.

I haven't had contact with any stationary object up this point in my career. In fact, I drove semi-truck accumulating almost 2 million miles over 18 years and never hit anything. Lucky? Maybe. Over cautious? definitely. Always, always, be aware of your surroundings. Have someone "spot" you if you need it. There is no such thing as an accident. Only collisions. MVA (no longer the standard) vs MVC (current terminology).

I agree spenac. However, as usual we as a profession need to be educated enough to make a thorough assessment and then determination to transport or not. Until that happens we will continue to take people to the ED when they could easily be treated at their Primary Care Physician. Wait, the ED is their PCP.

Congratulations! :lol:/ What floor are you going to work on? ( depending of course, you are planning to work in a hospital setting)

You no doubt will receive multiple answers to you query as everyone has their personal favorite footwear. Mine is Original Swat. Very comfortable. They offer the 6" boot with a zipper and is what I currently wear. It is available with or without steel toe. I personally don't like steel toe boots, but if you have to have them what can you do. I believe they have women sizes but don't quote me on that. www.originalswat.com

I detected a theme in Ruff's 2 scenarios......................just sayin I've used bystanders before. They are good for compressions, holding direct pressure or anything else we feel they could handle. We went to a MVC , van (church bus type) vs. F150. There were 10 pt's in the van and DOA in the pickup. Anyway, a trauma nurse from another hospital and a Army medic were on scene prior to our arrival. We were able to utilise there assistance until the calvary arrived. OP, always remember it is your scene. Others claiming to be medical professionals, especially in a vacation destination, may not be able to function in your State. Regardless, if they want to help and you can use it, by all means accept it. Just don't lose control of the scene.

How do I know his chest pain is cardiac related and not just acid reflux? I like to see what I'm dealing with. Delaying any interventions for 1 min isn't going to change things.

I like to (and it is encouraged by our Medical Director) acquire a 12 Lead prior to the administration of O2. I think it is a more accurate 12 Lead. I would never withhold O2 if they truly were in some respiratory distress, but the time required for the 12 Lead and the administration of O2 is minimal. 324mg ASA would then be administered to the pt. As Mobey mentioned, IV prior to the administration of NTG due to the reasons mentioned. Anthony, I wouldn't give ASA prior to the 12 Lead. How can we start treating the pt. if we're not exactly sure what is wrong? A 12 Lead is part of the assessment of the CP patient IMHO. Let's see what's going on first. We will treat the patient accordingly, but I like to have a 12 Lead prior to any interventions. Kinda anal that way. Be safe out there.