Ridryder 911

Couple of things, I would quit while I was ahead , your age is speaking ... Seriously, there will always be someone who wants to do this job. Unfortunately, that is part of the problem, we have an over abundance of EMT's. I have yet seen in the past 30+ years, where there has never been anyone would not become an EMT. If they did not, it was not because of the job, rather the lack of pay, benefits, hours, etc. associated with it. In regards to your statement..."I mean what better education is there than actually doing it?.... One can be an idiot and be doing it wrong for years, experience is great and is definitely part but one must have obtaine the education (i.e. degree) first, then gain experience and apply their knowledge to become successful in their profession. In medicine there is only so much OJT one can learn without having the basic foundation of education first. R/r 911

When I first came upon this site, I too was picked upon and downgraded by those that proclaimed that they were EMS Professionals, but could not even do the talk. The biggest debate was what color of light to use on your vehicle, and how many patches to wear and one that was griping because the State had removed her license for drug abuse. Few medical discussions were made and then finally with time more in-depth, detailed comments on treatment, medical regime, were being made. It was about this time that many of us wanted EMT City to be more than some of those other "feel good" sites. Medicine is not easy. Not easy to learn, not easy to perform and yes there is tons of peer pressure. Sorry, that is facts of life. just watch grand round from medical students. If one has a problem with a simple EMS forum, it is doubtful that one could stand ground in the field. One may has to justify their actions, and should be able to do so albeit in forum or direct patient care... it is called accountability. Harsh.. maybe, but not as harsh as I have heard physicians, nurses and senior medics discuss to ones face. EMS is not a cuddling profession among peers, never has nor will it ever be. That is one of the screening processes. Show me a medic that has experience, and usually they will demonstrate the ability to rationally defend their point. This site is tame to compare with other medical forums.. just check them out and you will see. R/r 911

Well appearantly its working, heck they have been promoted to driver!

I get tickled by responses of those that are a whopping 18 years old and describing that "it didn't affect them, they believe 16 is mature"... yadda, yadda Wow! A whole two years of experience and no PTSD yet! Of course, PTSD may take up to five to ten years to show its ugly head.. Now with that said, I will now speak from experience. I received my Paramedic when I was 16. I worked in an ER since I was 14. Like many others in the 70's most were teenagers or very young adults. Yes, there was a difference in separation in maturity levels. Those that were mature and those that definitely were not. Many, of the younger mature ones were post Vietnam medics, that have been exposed and seen much more than anyone at that time. Again, one could definitely see the difference not so much in age development but actions and reasoning skills. I was fortunate enough to have the hindsight of listening and observing these young men and at the same time they kept me in check, and would literally head slap me when I got out of line. Now, one that actually comes from 30 years after the 16 years of age, I can assure you a 16 year old should not be exposed to and as well be responsible for someones life. It is not that they cannot perform the skills (again, the monkey analogy comes into mind) but being able to make the rationale decisions and able to cope with those decisions. There is a reason Insurance corporations no longer insures 16 year old EVO drivers. Yes, they used to and now do not, one can make a rationale decision on why? The same reason most responsible states require minimum age levels. Mental maturity is essential in providing medical care and dealing with crisis situations. Being "pre-med" means nothing to me. Might as well say I am a biology major, or animal husbandry major. there the same degree requirements. I wished I had a penny for every so pre-med major I have dealt with. As well as "it works, don't break it" attitude. Yeah, so did the funeral home business ambulance worked well for decades, should we continue with it as well? Do they provide consistent 24 hr coverage with ALS for their patients, provided by experienced mature seasoned Paramedics? No? Then it is broke. PERIOD. Sorry, I've seen the results of post 16 year old EMT's. Look around and see how many you find 5, 10, 25+ years? Looks like Dust and I are few remnants that survived. R/r 911

Actually, maybe this town would be kinda neat to live in. Apparently, they are retro 70's letting kids run the EMS and wearing total white with black belts and mega patches. Wow! I bet they still have visibars and Q-2 sirens! Maybe they still carry the old Gould monitors and use telemetry and glass IV bottles. A real living EMS museum! I do wonder about how many responses a year they do and as well what happens when they turn 18 or graduate from high school.. do they get banned? R/r 911

Well, it just demonstrates it does not take much to be an EMT in their state. All is great when there is no problems, just wait until they have an accident, or even ten years later get diagnosed with PTSD because of an event. Sorry, just because one is able to pass the tests does not make that person mature enough to perform that job function. Yes, it can be debatable (as it has) but life experience counts as part of developing critical thinking skills, and making wise choices that is needed. There are very few adolescents that could perform at that level, and our profession needs more mature, responsible individuals and not be making allowances and excuses of having juveniles do the work for adults. Shame on the city for not endorsing ALS and then using children for free labor. It would be much more useful of having the group learn as an Explorer posts working with a professional service. Encouraging them to proceed into EMS and sponsoring them into collegiate education. Proof again, that cities will always use the "why pay for it, when you can get it for free"... R/r 911

Ironically, that is what we watched on our down time Thanksgiving, one of Supv. has the DVD... you can tell, we are all politically incorrect and proud of it Jeff is great!

Hmmm.. maybe a couple of given things. First an idiot for being there (I too agree, the world has lost it) As well, everyone realizes that when one is 5' tall and 4'wide, Weebles wobble but they don't fall down. R/r 911

Hence the reason we perform "serial" ECG's. As well, ever seen non "q" wave AMI's? In fact one of the old test questions from ACLS was " a normal XII lead, excludes an AMI?".. Like Doc described not all AMI's have ECG changes. R/r 911

We had an employee that had worked as a garbage collector, then became a Paramedic for a few years, then decided to return back to the garbage truck and left EMS. Describes as has been pointed out the similarities, as well as better pay and hours.... go figure. R/r 911

From what I have read him to describe that the "big book" was the publishing wanted a "bible" type, so FD's would only have to purchase one book, instead of multiple volumes. Maybe, he can give some more insight, he usually reads these posts occasionally... R/r 911

Sorry, never liked cheaters, especially when it comes down to them having the knowledge in how to treat a patient. Turn them in, too bad, so sad, time for them to grow up. I would not care what others think, at least I would know that they would not be treating anyone Good luck! R/r 911

I have used each. Personally I like the Rush with the 7.0 mm ETT extension, as well as one puncture site. Insert and that's it, pretty simplistic. Cook is a good device, but a lot of parts; which in stress condition tends to get in the way. R/r 911

You are right, JCAHO does not have a problem, they consider Paramedics as strictly technicians the same as an LPN in ER or critical care area. EMTALA only allows RN's to perform triage for MSE, and usually most areas only allow RN's to perform initial assessment. Unfortunately, due to vast differences in educational levels provided by EMS education and training, it is hard to invest in Paramedics in the ER. When I was an ER manager, I attempted to employ Paramedics to be used to assist and use their license within their scope of training. Unfortunately, I have seen many ER's get burned and stop using Paramedics due to hiring Paramedics that lacked education, or attempted to perform skills outside their scope in the ER, the most response I heard of was due to poor professionalism. It is a shame, but usually the worst enemy is definitely not nursing associations, boards, JCAHO, but ourselves. Think about it, in comparison how many Paramedics do you know of could actually be able to function at an ER level? R/r 911

Ditto....

Sure, we have a computer at each station just for internet use. As well, a router at each station for those with laptops. R/r 911

I don't think they are really considered "emergency" services. In reality they are transfer technicians. Now, if they transferred critical care or emergency patients, yes. The same as rescue, fire, police services that do not perform patient care. They are emergency services, not MEDICAL. Just because one has taken the course, and the test, but have never applied it makes one anything. Curious, on how they maintain their certification? R/r 911

I agree Doc. It is always those that do NOT have the education that attempts to justify themselves. Again, anyone with real world experience realizes that cost of living versus salary should always be the first thing to consider. $41K is upper middle income in my area. The general salary for RN's is about that and yes, like any other job can make more in O.T., but really what difference does that matter? Don't like the poor income and not being recognized as a professional, then do something about it! Go to school, get a degree, change the regulations of EMS and demand more money, until then you are lucky that you get what you receive! R/r 911

I know of some areas that color blind cannot work in hospital settings. Determing pH, screening (urine, glucose, hemo) strips or sticks, to determine the levels one cannot be color blind. I know in the ED I could not have color blind nurses for detecting hemocult and gastrocult slides, and yes we tested regulary. R/r 911

As others have described there are more legal ramifications than you have seen. In regards to counseling, if you truly have PTSD and I am assuming possibly other s/e of pyschological trauma. Taking prescribed medications for an illness is NOT wrong, if it is needed. Sure, there is more to counseling than that, as you described, though; you have been through this avenue prior so apparently there maybe even more potential problems than the recent events). PTSD is an illness related to a traumatic event. It should be treated by a licensed professional per counseling, medications if need be, and therapy. Again, in comparrision to physical illnesses, we would never deny to withold therapies and medications to those that need it. Since you are having symptoms of even considering yourself PTSD, and it appearantly has warranted you enough to reach out for help, (as you should) and to seek assistance of others, which is good, take appropiate action. I highly enourage you to seek professional counseling with those that have experience and specialty in post sexual assaults. There are those that have speciality and exposure of working with victims of such crimes and exposures. Only they can really begin to get the healing to begin. Remember, one has to be patient and there is no instant cure. Unlike, other parts of the body, it takes the mind and soul time to heal. I and others wish you the best of luck.... R/r 911

I have yet seen a DEA interaction in my 30+ years. I talked to DEA (medical division although any DEA can handle narc) and was informed that in my area there were 2 agents assigned for coverage of 10 states as well other assigned duties. Figuring that they are responsible for all hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, nursing homes, hospice, home health, EMS, etc I doubt, I would be seeing them, unless there was trouble. Usually, the state license agency may become more involved. Yet, I totally agree I would not test fate! Do narc counts properly and one does not have to worry. If your service wants to still continue to have protocols for narc's as well being able to keep them, I would not endanger my medical directors DEA number ! I am sure informing them of what has been occurring, will get things changed immediately. R/r 911

The Narcs are double locked and are counted each shift change. We do not use locking tags. Personally, although they are easier at shift time, I rather perform a count and witness my med.'s. I question if they are not being routinely checked, then how are they being checked expiration, etc. As well, anytime there is shift change, Narc's should be accounted for. Otherwise why count? R/r 911

If you really want help, and apparently you do then go to professional counseling. You would not send a diabetic to a medic to get counseling on diabetes, the same is true on your problem. It is beyond their scope and probably too close to give objective opinions. As well, you describe this as an on-going problem, with the same problems as in the past. Past behaviors are a pattern, and again one needs to seek an answer. Professional counseling is the only sound and true medical advice that should be given and taken. R/r 911

Hey, it could be worse, they could be a Yankee saying it!...

I agree it might be hard, but there are services where the Paramedic may never drive. There are some services that have EVO drivers only. R/r 911