emtannie

I have been watching this thread for some time, and am finally going to interject with some of my observations and comments.

Jamie asked Personally, I am happy that a paramedic-based association is working on this. The discussion of why ACoP was chosen aside, would you rather it be a non-paramedic based association addressing this issue? After all if we (paramedics) can't get this right, then who can?

I have a number of issues with a certain regulatory body taking on the role of determining the national standard.

- the organization in question is not a democratic organization, regardless of what they try to tell their members. The paramedics who are members do not get input into the decisions made by this regulatory body. Oh, they talks a good line, and has an AGM every May, but it doesnt matter what the members vote, the board can overturn each and every vote that the members make. So, Jamie, IMHO, we dont get input, so we wont get it right.

- this regulatory body began the process of computer-based testing several years ago, and after spending several hundred thousand dollars on it, shelved it, and most members do not know that this was shelved. On top of the money spent, I am still not sure why they were trying to re-invent the wheel, when it would have been much more efficient and cost effective to involve a group who had already designed EMS computer-based testing. Is this going to be another situation where this group starts a project and does not finish it?

- this regulatory body has obvious management issues, given the number of board and committee members who have resigned in the past 2 years. I would have to look back through the paperwork, but off the top of my head, I think it has been over 50% turnover on the board. This tells me that there are internal issues that are not being resolved, and members are unable to work with each other to solve the issues.

- I know of specific circumstances where the ethics of this regulatory body are in question. I will not divulge complete details here, as I do not think that is appropriate, but I know of events at exams where neutrality has been questioned. I question the ethics when it comes to determining what organization is qualified to provide education and instruction, when there are providers who have had classes with 100% failure rates at exam writings with no investigation, and other providers who have had almost 100% pass rates and yet have had their authorization to provide classes revoked.

Given what I have seen, and my questioning of the ability of the regulatory body to provide a quality product, and their lack of allowing practicing members to provide quality input, my faith in their being able to build a national standard is almost non-existent.

Now, to my comments about the Alberta situation:

- AHS took over all EMS operations; however, they negotiated contracts with a number of services, and specifically amalgamated services, so really, they did not take over the operations.

- Before provincialization of EMS, there were 2 pilot projects Peace Region, and Palliser region. I work in the area formerly known as Palliser (why does the artist formerly known as Prince come to mind). In 4+ years, the powers that be were never able to completely integrate services and amalgamate operations so that it was truly a unified region. There were a number of areas that were never addressed, including renumeration and equipment standardization, and problems that were never solved. I am aware of similar issues in Peace region. If those powers that be couldnt consolidate a region, how can they possibly think they can consolidate an entire province?

I will comment a little on tniuqss rant on immigrant staffing (and tniuqs, please correct me if my interpretation is wrong):

- as an instructor, I am well aware on the limitations we put on class sizes and how hard it is for students to get into programs. The Alberta regulatory body and CMA puts limitations on instructor:student ratios, and there are limitations due to availability of practicum sites as well.

- it is frustrating to see allowances for workers to come in from other regions, and offer training with decreased cost and hours to those workers, when we are limiting training of our local staff for example, EMTs who want to get into medic programs, but due to cost and limited spaces, cannot get in; however, if they were from out of country, they would be allowed training at a reduced rate. What is the advantage to this system? Isnt it better to train local, so that those students will remain local, instead of training someone who is more likely to leave? As an employer I want an employee who will stay with me the costs of staff turnover are huge, and I want to avoid that (hmmmm… back to the regulatory body board member vacancy rate… oh never mind), and by bringing in employees from out of region, it also increases the probability that those same employees will not stay here as long.

- I am not saying that we have to have protectionist policies. I am saying that we need to improve our current system for our own population first, and build off the resources we have currently, rather than continue to limit access for our own population. We need to open the doors for more providers to allow for more students, rather than grant one time fast track programs for foreign students the fast track programs are a short term, short-sighted solution, not a long term improvement to EMS. Instead, they have done the opposite they have recently implemented a 1 year moratorium on applications to provide EMS instruction, so that those that are currently under review are being put on hold, and new applications from educational services will not be considered.

Now, I have a couple other questions…

Jamie Hershey, I am curious as to what your background is and where you work, and what you do. Unless I have missed it, and if I have, I apologise, but where do you live and work, and what is your certification? How many years of EMS experience do you have? I know you are not ACoP registered, so where are you certified to work? If I have missed it, please re-post it for me. Because of my generally pessimistic nature, I am curious what your background truly is.

Why is it that when something is wrong in a department, it gets blamed on race? I realize I am probably quite naive in black/white race relations, as we have a very small black population here.

Now, having said that, we have numerous other cultures, and sometimes there are disagreements between them.

What I don't get, it how when someone isn't doing their job, why does it get blamed on race? The fact is, someone isn't doing their job. In EMS, it is our job to go to calls and treat our patient as best we can, regardless of race, age, religion, sexual orientation, or color of their underwear. If the crews on this service can't do that, maybe they should go work in sanitation services, or another department where their communication with the public is limited.

I agree with others who have said this problem comes from the top. The best leaders lead by example, and unfortunately, when leadership plays the race card, of course the staff will follow. The example set is not a good one, and allows for excuses in providing poor patient care. They should all be ashamed of their lack of professionalism.

There are a few things that need to be said here.

Annie, why wouldnt I comment on such stupidity (she probably works as a fireman).

Firstly, from the head shot, EWWWWWWW.

Secondly I would say why stop at a bikini like, but EWWWWWWW.

Thirdly, there is normally natural selection where some women are stunners, some have brains, few have both, she obviously has neither.

Now ladies I am entitled to have a chauvenistic attitude on this one, you cannot deny me, besides, I have had no sleep

Now Ruff, mate, I know new kid around & all the it has been a while but EWWWWWWWWW.

LOL Phil - I somehow suspected that you were going to get into the risk/benefit of shaving vs waxing... although waxing while driving... then she may have actually made the Darwin awards list... I do hope she didn't give herself razor rash from shaving....

They could show pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I may be forced to go selectively blind...

You are right, Ruff... this article is proof that stupid people don't always die.

I can hardly wait for Phil's comment on this one.

I like mobey's line of thinking... so will add to that..

More on the hx..

- what time of day is it?

- has the girl been out with friends in very recent past? any chance of recreational drugs?

The Aunt said the girl had a seizure yesterday... I want to know more about that... did she call 911? Was the girl assessed by a medical professional?

I agree with what mobey wants for assessment, and would also ask:

- last menstrual cycle

- any chance of pregnancy?

LOL Phil - I had to be the first to comment.....

So what is your response when she says "So what is that purple thing in the middle?"

Just wanting feedback here. OK, so here's (could be...) the deal: young, single mom, 10-month-old child (adopted!), medic school, and at least part-time job.

I wouldn't let someone else raise my little boy. This is important to me. Do you see any way to make this work? I've come close to deciding that, if I go through with this, I also kiss my dream of a career goodbye. Yet something in me still wants to shoot for the stars.

Could hard work still make this a reality? Thinking possibly if I found a way to keep my kid with me while at my job, and only had a sitter for clinicals...? Brainstorming here.

"Sometimes we miss opportunity because it shows up in overalls and looks like work."

If you are going to make this work, you will need an incredible amount of family and friends support to be raising your child while you are in classes and on clinicals. Do not kid yourself that you can do this on your own - with a 10 month old, you cannot.

Paramedic school is not easy, and it shouldn't be - people's well-being and lives are in our hands. Ask yourself - if you or your son were in an accident, and needed life-saving care, do you want the medic who put the bare minimum in to pass, or do you want the medic who excelled? My guess is you want the medic who excelled. You have a number of issues to juggle - who is going to take care of your child while you are at work? Who will take care of your child while you are in class? Who will take care of your child while you are doing homework and studying? Who will take care of your child while you are on clinicals? How are you going to finance child care and medic school? All are tough questions.

Also, remember - you cannot come home from a clinical shift and expect to be able to properly care for your child for the next 12 hours, and then go back on shift. Clinicals are stressful learning times, and you will need to have some downtime to absorb what you are learning. You said "I wouldn't let someone else to raise my little boy." The reality is, someone else will have to be involved a great deal in raising your little boy, so you will have the time to devote to classes and studies.

Hard work could make this a reality, but there are going to be sacrifices. Maybe you can do your medic classes over an extended term - take 1 or 2 years more than a regular program, so you can fit in raising your son and working. Maybe you can consider delaying school until your boy is a little older and you can find quality care for him while you are in classes.

I'm not saying "no, it can't be done." I am saying "please look at all the options, and all the obstacles, before you jump in." You want to be the best medic you can be, not a bare minimum medic, so you have to make sure you have solved the obstacles before you start.

I'm not sure what you meant by "kiss my dream of a career goodbye." I don't know your age, but I suspect you are under 30 (correct me if I am wrong). Relax on the not having a career thing. For some reason, we all think we need to be established in a career by the time we are 24, and have the house, the picket fence, and the car by then. The reality is that the average person changes careers 3 or more times over a lifetime, and many return to school later in their careers to change careers. If it doesn't happen this year, it doesn't mean it can't happen at all.

Take a deep breath, and review all your options. Good to see you are asking for advice! You can take what people say, or leave it - remember, advice is what you pay for it... but at least it gives you more things to think about, and a more educated way to make a decision.

Wish you the best!

What a terribly sad situation.

I am sure that those involved will be questioning themselves over "should I, could I, if I had just..." for a long time, and it will be hard on everyone involved.

My prayers to the family, friends, and co-workers.

Some of you are aware that I am in the middle of my initial practicum (I know, in the US, they are referred to as clinicals) for the medic program here. Practicum consists of 384 hours for initial ambulance, 270 hours for hospital, and 576 hours for final ambulance.

After my first tour (4 shifts, 12 hours each) my mom took ill very suddenly, and deteriorated quickly. As I have been the one who has been her “guardian” – the one who took her to all her doctor appointments, monitored her medications, etc – for the last 4 years, I was the one at the hospital with her. Just over 48 hours after she was admitted to hospital, I had to make the decision to have her removed from life support, and called the rest of my family with the news.

Due to the time Mom was in the hospital, and planning her funeral after, and I am also executor of her estate, I missed the next two tours. I contacted the college, and was given the “take all the time that you need” speech.

I wanted to try to get back to normal as soon as possible, so I returned to practicum, but have been having difficulty focussing. On discussions with my preceptor, we agreed that I should request more time off. As well, my preceptor admitted that he has been harder on me than he should be, as he is burnt out from overwork (he works industrial shifts on his days off from the hospital) and having 3 students before me in the last 12 months.. “all of whom were awful” in his words. He also said I did exceptionally well my first week, but the weeks after I got back I didn’t do very well.

I had contacted the college by phone and email several times over the last 10 days, and did not get a reply from my practicum coordinator. Yesterday, my practicum coordinator called 3 hours before my shift, to tell me that he was stopping in for an evaluation, and to see how my practicum is progressing.

He showed up, and we discussed me taking a leave and returning to my practicum in 6 weeks. He said that it isn’t possible, because I have to have my initial practicum completed by the end of April as the college’s agreements with hospitals is to have all hospital practicums between May 1 and August 30. By not finishing by the end of April, I was told that I would have to forfeit my entire year, and would have to start my practicum over again next year… and it would cost me another year’s tuition.

He admitted that he hasn’t read any of my emails, and that he “didn’t have time” to return my calls.

I am really angry that they can’t accommodate me…. Even with finishing my initial practicum 30 days late, I would still have sufficient time to finish my hospital practicum in the time allowed.

I am also angry that they have made accommodations to other students in hospital and final practicums, so why can’t they accommodate me in this initial one? I am aware of a student last year who broke his leg during his hospital practicum, and they delayed the remainder of his hospital practicum, and allowed him to finish his final practicum after the year end deadline, and of a student in my class who has requested a delay in starting hospital practicum due to ankle surgery, and he has been accommodated.

The college’s whole argument is that they have to have all students finish initial practicum by April 30 so they can get them all through hospital practicum between May 1 and August 30. I can still do that, and already have confirmation from the hospital that they will make arrangements to ensure I can be done my hospital practicum by August 30.

So, instead of being flexible, given the circumstances in my life right now, instead of giving me 30 days grace, they want me to forfeit an entire year, and come back next year, which will cost me another approximately $4500 in tuition as well.

I could understand this more if I was a poor student, if I had done poorly in the classroom environment, and if I had done poorly on my practicum initially, but that isn't the case.

I am livid over this, and do plan on fighting it. I am well aware that I do need some time off to deal with Mom’s estate and get over some of the emotion involved with that… but I do not need a whole year off!

Opinions? Advice?

I'm thinking that the cronyism, favoritism, lack of professional (not union) organization and shady discipline/punitive actions prevalent in EMS aren't problems in other medical fields. You do need more pensions and less 401k's though.

That has to be one of the most naive comments I have ever seen in these forums.

If you truly feel those things don't happen in other fields, you are truly either willfully blind, or truly naive. EVERY organization has those things... EVERY profession has those that are willing to sleep with whoever, buy off whoever, bribe whoever, and do whatever it takes to get what is in the best interests of themselves over the profession.... oh yea - I am speaking to the person who decided to go fire department not for the passion of the work, but to cover their ass with benefits... what have you done to help EMS become more of a profession? And please... don't give me the "my service does...." line again... how are you personally improving EMS? Do you instruct? DO you mentor? Are you vocal about better pay and better working conditions for EMS? Do you do everything in your power to educate the public that EMS is a valid profession, and not just "ambulance drivers"?

You want to see cronyism, favoritism, and lack of professionalism? You ask a female who works in a male dominated field of any kind.... and I can say that, having been a commercial bank manager for 15 years.... I was the only female in my region in that senior a position, and even though I held a portfolio bigger than most, I wasn't paid as well, I didn't get the "perks" that others did, and I didn't get other promotion opportunities - why? because I wouldn't f*** my boss...

By your own words, you show your lack of experience in other fields, and your complete willingness to follow the lead of the lemmings who choose not to learn more... please.... educate yourself, not only in EMS, but in other fields, and you will learn that the comment you made above is an embarassment to your intelligence.

Actually, crotchity, the idea has great merit...

The infrastructure for most fire departments is already in place - buildings, equipment, vehicles... so those kinds of expenditures could be written into the capital purchase replacement programs already in place for EMS services. Staffing wouldn't have to be increased a great deal, as those EMS staff and firefighters who are willing to crosstrain could work both fire and EMS. There would potentially be cost savings, as departments would not need as many full time firefighters on duty at any given time. Potentially, all "full-time" firefighters could be transitioned into part-time, or casual positions, which would be a huge cost savings in benefits and vacation time.

And, given the call volumes for fire calls, the firefighters could be put to good use while they are at the station, ensuring that the station and all the ambulances are clean and shiny, meals are made, equipment and supplies inventories are kept stocked, and handling small administrative duties, like filing EMS reports and photocopying. This would free up EMS staff to do more patient care. And, given that now EMS staff would be able to respond to more calls, as the tedious station duties are now handled by firefighters, billing and income would increase, which would make the politicians happy. Allowing EMS staff to do what they are educated to do, rather than all the extraneous duties, would improve EMS staff morale, and lessen staffing turnover...

Hmmmmmmmm....

Well I was all set to post in here how dispatch can't be blamed on everything, and that the information they supply is only as good as the information they recieve. And I suppose to a certain extent, this is true.

However after being sent out on a call in the fog and icy roads this evening, for an address that doesn't exist, and with a call back number that is disconnected.....You kind of have to wonder. My partner and I were looking for this address for close to 30 mins. I contacted dispatch and told them that our information is not lining up, are you SURE the call is in our town?And the answer was yes. So we looked, and looked, and finally realised that the first 3 digits of the non-functioning phone number may belong to the next town over. In this day and age of cell phones though, nothing is a guarantee. As I called dispatch to check on the posibility of this, when I got to them they told me that they had indeed called out the wrong unit, and that we can stand down, and that the appropriate town service is being called.

Total elapsed time from call recieved until this revelation, 49 minutes..........

It was for a minor call, however had this been someone haveing a cardiac arrest......well that's just frightening.

I have no idea what could have been done dfferently on our end, as I did question the address, I asked for the call-back number (which I believe was copied down wrong by dispatch as I verified it x3 with them, only to find it not in service.) I contacted a local member of our service to see if they had any insight into where our call may be located based on address, , and I even question dispatch as in whether or not they were sure they had the correct town.....as well my partner contacted people they knew in the area to try and narrow down our search area, as of course to top it all off, dispatch reported that there were no bldg numbers on the location in question.

any thoughts, as I've had dispatch screw-up before, but this is definitely a gooder.

Ashes, not sure where you are located, but this could have been solved by your dispatch centre using the ANI-ALI system (I can't remember what that stands for, but I am sure someone will remind me)... what that does, is any call that comes into dispatch shows up on the screen of the dispatcher's computer. The phone number, address, and name of the person whose number it is shows up, if it is a land line. If it is a cell phone, the phone number and the carrier (Telus, Bell, Rogers, etc) shows up, and the tower location they are bouncing off of. At least if that cell phone caller doesn't know where they are, it is a starting point. There is nothing more you could do in the situation you had. You used all the resources you could.

If your dispatch uses this, the call you described should have never happened. The dispatcher would have been able to tell if it was a cell phone or not, and they would have had access to the number called through the entire incident, as it would have stayed on their screen. If it was a land line, the exact address would have shown up too, and they could have referred back to it. This gives no chance of human error by copying down a wrong address or phone number, or the caller giving completely wrong information that is unable to be verified.

Now, having said that, there are so many other ways that dispatch can mishandle a call - paging out the wrong crew is a big one. I have had many calls where I have argued with dispatch that the call is not in my area, and they have argued with me. Since I have worked in the dispatch centre here, I tend to tell them to turn around, pull the big wall map down from the ceiling, and look at a certain area, which I describe to them... within a few seconds, I get the "your unit can stand down, and we will page unit XYZ."

One of the biggest problems our dispatch centre has is staff turnover - they have almost a 50% staff turnover every 3 months... this has been going on for at least 5 years, and the powers that be haven't done a thing about it. Obviously, with that kind of staff turnover, there are administrative issues. Having worked there, I can tell you what they are, but that would take a whole other thread. With that kind of turnover, and shortened orientation times, staff do not know the region, they do not know how to read maps, and they end up on a desk before they are ready. Add to that the politics that goes on in that department, and it is a recipe for disaster.

The provincial dispatch centre is going to have a number of wrinkles to iron out, but that does happen with any change. I am hoping that it will be better than what I have in my area right now... because my head is starting to bleed from banging it against the wall...

I know you cannot put a price tag on public safety, but the sad reality is that it's necessary. I believe in premium pay for risking your life, responding to incidents when everyone else is running away- that's what we do and we should be well compensated for it. Sadly, too many of us are not- especially those in EMS, and just because fire has a longer history, more members, and a stronger lobbying arm, it does not mean it has the right to walk over EMS- especially when it's not providing a better option.

Very very well said, Herbie.

The sad thing is, IAFF doesn't even see that instead of building up EMS, they are contributing to the continued mistreatment of EMS as a profession. EMS continues to be the Cinderella of emergency services, and Fire the evil step-mother... all Fire sees EMS as good for is to do the dirty work, and bring in money to subsidize Fire. We have to continue to fight for change.

46Young, you have discussed your own service to death... exactly what do you think of the LVFD tactics? Why do you feel that they are in the right, to do what they are doing, by their own admission, to save FD jobs? They are not improving services or increasing services; they are using EMS as their cash cow to subsidize their operations, at the expense of EMS. How do you justify that?

Here's a video from my dept that does a great job of explaining the importance of safe and proper staffing levels. You need to watch the entire video, as many important points are made, and are explained in simple laymen's terms.

The video clearly shows the importance of having the proper number of FF's on each unit, how crucial the response time is, and also why it's also vital to have enough units to respond. Downstaffing personnel and units will result in loss of life and property. Even if one structure isn't able to be saved, as some have mentioned due to the new type 5 construction, there are many cluster homes, townhomes and other such exposures that need to be protected. No one who has any real knowledge of suppression knowledge can dismiss or discredit the content of the video. These are real world examples and experiences of which they speak, not propaganda or fantasy.

I challenge anyone here to explain to me what part or parts of the video are propaganda and fabricated lies. Explain why, contrary to the video's content, it's a smart move to pare back FD staffing and amount of units due to call volume alone. You can go a week, or even a month without a structure fire, but they don't burn any slower when the area has a low call volume. I don't understand how using call volume as a guide for FD staffing makes sense. When the call comes in, it needs a proper response, no matter how few and far between the calls come in. When one of you loses a family member or your life's possessions in a fire, it'll become instantly clear to you. A person may need the FD once in their life, but when they do, it can be life or death. Key word here is "need". Not want, or nice to have, but need. A downstaffed, extended response is inappropriate.

In the link you provided, the entire 9 minute and 22 second video relates specifically to fire suppression, and the need for 4 people on the truck, not 3. All discussion of duties is fire suppression related. Not one single word was related to EMS operations. Not one single EMS vehicle or person was shown or interviewed.

Watching the video, I cringed – I know a bit about structure fire tactics, as my husband is deputy fire chief in my area, and my father in law was fire chief in his city for many years, and had over 35 years experience before retiring. On a fire scene, having one person on a roof, or one person on an attack, or one person doing an interior search, is just plain STUPID. That is completely unnecessary risk of life and limb. THAT is the argument that was used in the video – that having 4 members would provide better care to community, and better safety to crews. I am OK with that approach.

The point that you have chosen to completely ignore, is that fire departments, specifically the LVFD, are not staffing their services appropriately, and in order to staff them appropriately, are stealing from EMS.

Even from your video – the question that was never asked, nor answered, was WHY Fairfax County was only staffing with 3 members.. was the reason financial? I bet it was! So, the problem is then, justifying the increased crew, and increased cost, which is a huge POLITICAL issue. Politicians and administrators don’t look at staffing as people – they are just looking at the bottom line. They don’t look at calls as real people involved – just the repurcussions if things go wrong and how it makes them look bad.

The original point of this thread is that the Las Vegas FD is STEALING from EMS to justify its staffing levels and budget, rather than justify their staffing with a common sense approach and educating the public. Why are they doing this? My guess is because they can’t justify their current budget and their current toys, and now that they are in a tough financial position, they are looking for a bandaid solution (pun intended). Fire should be made to stand on its own, and justify its expenditures, exactly as EMS does, not use EMS revenues to subsidize fire.

Again, refer to the restaurant analogy I used in my previous post.

Quote from original article:

The Fire Department doesn't wish to take over all emergency calls or get rid of AMR and MedicWest, Gillespie said.

"This whole deal is not to hurt ambulance companies," he said. "It's to provide good service to citizens and recover some costs for what we do."

Yet earlier in the article, it says:

“The chief estimated that if the change is adopted, the department would go from transporting about 25 patients each month to 375. It would net about $1.6 million per year for the city, he said.”

Ok, so correct me if I am wrong…. The FD call volume goes up by 350 calls/month… their income goes up by $1.6 million due to billing for those calls, calls that the private sector can no longer bill for… but they don’t want to hurt ambulance companies… WTF!

How is pulling 350 calls a month, and $1.6 million in billing NOT going to hurt the ambulance companies??? OF COURSE it will. It is simple math.

And, obviously, if you are only transporting 25 patients a month right now, you are not just trying to recover costs for “something we already do.”

The rationale given is such a shell game, Fire Chief Al Gillespie should consider a magic show at the Sahara, or if this nonsense actually gets approved, then he is good enough to get a show at the MGM Grand.

46Young, I cannot believe that you think that cutting back services to reflect call volumes for fire departments is an evil thing… you talk about corporate fiscal responsibility (“..it's survival of the fittest. Like hostile corporate takeovers..”), yet you contradict yourself with your own statement “More of you still want fire positions cut back to reflect call volume.”

If I had 2 restaurants, and one was making money, and one was losing money, why would I subsidize the one that is losing money with funds from the one that is making money? In the long run, that is incredibly poor financial management, and yet, that is exactly what FD’s are doing when they take over EMS services. They are not doing it in the interest of the public – they are doing it to shore up their FD spending. Obviously, the 2 private EMS companies are profitable in Las Vegas, or they would not be there… since the fire department doesn’t have to compete on a level playing field, their tactics are obviously not based on good fiscal management or patient care.

Although there are going to be a lot of glitches when the province completely takes over dispatch, the incident quoted above happens in dispatch centres across the province already, even without the regionalization.

In the years I have been working rural (which is *ahem* a long time, because I am old... ) I have responded to more calls than I can count, where dispatch f***ed up directions, locations, and even what the chief complaint is. It has less to do with provincialization, and more to do wsith inadequate training of dispatchers. Patient care has been compromised in many many situations, not due to EMS, but due to dispatch. Too many dispatch centres do not appropriately educate their staff in learning the region that they cover, legal land locations, major landmarks, or even the distances to hospitals from specific areas.

Given that the dispatch centre that covers where I work is an organization of complete incompetence, I am almost afraid to admit that I am looking forward to regionalization of dispatch, because it can't be worse than what we have now.

First, make sure you dress appropriately - don't go in ripped jeans and old tshirt - dress professionally - do you know anyone at that service? Maybe you can ask them what is expected.

Then, make sure you have extra copies of your resume - if there are more than one person interviewing you, then you can provide them with copies if their human resources department hasn't.

As for questions, expect some of the following:

"So, tell me about yourself.."

- plan an answer that isn't 15 minutes long - just a quick overview of who you are, why you got into EMS, why you want this job.

"Tell me/us about a time that you worked with a group of people on a project, and team members weren't getting along. What did you do to solve the problem.."

"Tell me/us about a time when you worked on a project where you were the leader of the team and there were problems; how did you handle it.."

"Tell me about a situation where you went over and above what was expected of you, and why you did what you did.."

"Tell me about a situation where even though you did everything you could, the situation still didn't turn out as planned; how did you handle it.."

Those are some of the types of questions you can expect.

Good luck - don't be too scared - take a deep breath...

Annie

I hope this nurse not only wins the case, but also is awarded damages for the damage to her character and career.

You can bet that no facility in Texas will hire her now, knowing she was willing to step up to the plate and report a doc for something. So, in doing the right thing, it has cost her her reputation and her career, which should be an embarassment to the health profession there, and the legal system.

I like the comments of the defense in questioning whether the doctor's actions not being allowed in a larger hospital... great sarcasm there..

Herbie makes a very valid point - find out what works for YOU... We can all provide tips, but in the end it has to be something that works for you.

Lisa also makes a valid point - if she can explain it to someone else, she knows it. If you want to know if you have learned something, try to teach it to someone else - you will soon find out if you really know your stuff or not.

I read a good article on learning about a year ago, and of course I can't find it now.... a study was done on handwriting notes vs typing them, or doing both, and the students who did the best handwrote notes, then typed them out later. Make notes so it works for you. Do you learn better in point form? in chart form? Sentence form?

Otherwise, review, review, review...

And good luck!

Annie

... Some how it seems that we're losing part of our spirit with these cosmetic changes. We seem to be screaming our developing young people that be that years, and miles, and tears don't matter, that appearance is all....

That is quite a rant...

For sake of time and space, I have shortened your rant to the section I would like to primarily focus on.

I agree with your thinking, that in today's world, we (the societal "we") put far more emphasis on the outward appearance, than the character and ability of a person. I think part of this is the never-ending media coverage on the celebrity or socialite of the week, and how Angelina is prettier than Jennifer (or vice versa) and that is why there are problems in relationships. A perfect example of appearance being all is Pamela Anderson (ok, Dwayne, I know you said you like boobs, but still)... and my point exactly is... what is her biggest asset and claim to fame? It isn't her brilliant wit.

I watched an interesting documentary the other night on "Hyper-Parents" - the ones who over-organize, over-supervise, and over-push their children to be everything that they weren't (aren't?), and how that is screwing up kids. These parents are so worried that their children won't be the best, the smartest, the perfect, that some begin before the child is born to expose them to "intelligent" music; they are in dance and art classes by age 2; universities are now having "parent orientation days" rather than "student orientation days" because of the meddling influence of so many parents.

What this brings me to, is that the focus continues not just in academics, but competition in all matters - these people want their child to be the best-looking, the best-dressed, the flawless one. In an effort to make their child stand out from the crowd, they are in fact breeding an entire generation that is focussed on the picture of success, not success itself.

By bringing up the next generation in this manner, we are preventing them from learning from mistakes, because we are not allowing them to have mistakes; we are preventing them from knowing how to deal with loss and failures, because we are trying so hard to protect them from every manner of loss that they don't know how to deal with it; we are teaching them that scars are a bad thing, not a badge of learning, and at times, honor.

As Dwayne looks at faces, I look at hands... there is a lot more character in hands that have known hard work than in those silky smooth hands that have spent more time at a salon than doing hard work. I have attached an example... in the picture I have attached, look at the woman's hands. Now consider that when this picture was taken, she was not yet 40. Doesn't that tell you more about a person than the over-made, botoxed, pampered look that seems to be the preference now? I have never attached a file to a post - so I hope this works..)

I don't want a mask or a costume - I want to know who I am looking at, who I am dealing with - when I see botox and plastic, I think Barbie and Ken... and we know how much brains they have...

There is no "head start" through experience. The only head start that will benefit you is through education. Take Biology, Anatomy & Physiology if available. Take chemistry. Take an expository writing course. Take advanced math. Take psychology and sociology. Take physics. Take weight training. Believe it or not, high school is capable of providing an excellent foundation for EMS practice if you aren't too blind to see the possibilities. And those courses will go LIGHT YEARS farther to prepare you for EMS practice than any piddling around with a volunteer department or Explorer post. In fact, both of those are well known to retard your progress as a new medic.

I agree with some of this.... the best way to get ahead is education, education, education.... and Dust is right - there is a lot your high school can offer, to provide you with a firm foundation before you get into EMT classes.

However, gaining some exposure to what is involved in EMS, is not a bad idea. I disagree with the quote "And those courses will go LIGHT YEARS farther to prepare you for EMS practice than any piddling around with a volunteer department or Explorer post. In fact, both of those are well known to retard your progress as a new medic." I don't think you are looking to get your EMT, and then stay there... I suspect you are looking at paramedic in the long term, and that is what you should be doing.

As for experience retarding your progress as a medic.... the statement by the previous poster is given as though there are statistics to prove this.. please note that this is only the poster's opinion, as this post is mine. I can tell you from my experience, I haven't seen that.

I would prefer to have a student that has gained some exposure through Boy Scouts, or other organization, than one who is getting into EMS without having seen and dealt with anything first aid related. I have seen students who have gotten to their first practicums, and fainted, or vomited, because they were completely unprepared for some of the things they see. I see medic students that are on practicum now, who have done the EMT-B, EMT-I, and now medic, and their only exposure to patients was their practicums... and that is not enough... they have no idea how to deal with the panicked mom and very sick baby... they don't know how to deal with the elderly.... the time spent on practicum is not enough to provide them with enough skills, and their young age hasn't given them enough life skills to deal with some of that yet. I think that is some of the reason I am seeing such a high burnout rate among those "zero to hero" students.

If this is the career path you want to take, get your high school sciences... ensure your writing skills are excellent.. talk to everyone you can, and don't take no for an answer. If someone says something you don't understand, ask for an explanation. If you want to know why something is done, ask why.

Sorry HellsBells,

I am going to hijack your thread....

Has anyone else received the "please do this survery to tell us what you think about ACP"?

I did the survey.... and was annoyed that there was nowhere to really put a lot of comments down...

I wanted to say:

What good is my vote for bylaws with my governing body when the council decided that it doesn't matter what I vote, they gave themselves the right to overturn the members' vote anyways? (specific example - after the 2008 AGM, members voted to stay in PAC for 2 more years, and in December that same year, the council pulled the membership; when I questioned it, I was quoted a regulation that the council put together which allows them to overturn members' votes). That isn't democracy. Where is my money going when over $200,000 was spent on computer based examining, and then it was shelved? ACP asked why we think that they don't do enough to educate the public about our profession (which is one of their mandates)... Why don't they have commercials like the RN's do, to reach the general public? Why don't I see them at career events and conferences, explaining what EMS does? Why does it appear that certain educational providers can maintain their certifications even though complete classes fail the ACP exam, and others have their approval to provide courses pulled, without proper explanation, even when they have an over 80% pass rate?

OK, my rant, and hijack, is over....

I like this!

This is a constant battle with some staff... that "Pedal to the metal" mentality is still alive and well.

When I work rural, we have calls where it is 60+ miles to the patient, and sometimes more than that to the closest hospital. It drives me crazy when I have a partner who thinks that this is a good reason to drive 80+mph...

My personal thoughts on this.... when my partner drives that fast, every bump in the road is amplified, and it makes my job in the back more difficult to do; it increases the risk to me, my partner, my patient, and others on the road, not to mention that it is completely outside our policies and regulation; on a transport that long, if our patient is going to die, he is going to die regardless of the possibly 10 minutes we have saved in a 60 mile trip.

Just my 2 cents..

I don't mind the AHS site - I don't got to it often, but there are some good articles that can assist with continuing ed requirements. I know one of mhy crew members used a good article on pulmonary embolism from that site as part of her presentation at a training session a couple weeks ago.

Now, if you had asked about the ACP website.... I hate that site...