tniuqs

Safety... most excellent point oh great one ! I kinda forgot about that little issue ... I do agree: A Drivers abstract was presented to the Manager with a > 20 year 'TOTALLY CLEAN" record with no moving violations, ever, BUT not never discussed during interview. Hand me down balistic vests provided only 2 members wearing them, just FYI, and after doczillas input on that thread ... I did look for labels ... they were so old the label was washed blank. cheers thanks a good point.

Agreed with Annie ! Document Document Document! The pen can be far more powerful than the punch ! Let me tell you I too had a similar situation with a Traige RN .... Her attitude was fricken deplorable. I did recieve the last laugh when a patient that arrested in the waiting room, his SON pounded the crap out of her, I was a witness for the defence in the assault case. ps She Lost ! and the surgery to fix her nose was 'not so good' meh !

Ok have you ever heard of this situation ? Senario Background: A small (stationed close to hospital) serving an urbal populaton base of ~ 50 thousand, with a large rural service area, which reciently has lost 8 staff to other services, possibly due to major sized communities hiring. Vast majority of employees have only worked for this service exclusively, majority of employess under the age of 28 y/o. One main hall with 3 units, one sattelite station, 35 minutes away, ALS: 1 Paramedic 1 EMT per truck, ground only. A privately owned service with only one manager that has been the manager since the operation was taken over from a previous private contractor, manager was ex employee, and is doing a degree level course in Biz Admin possibly working on a Thesis? No union representation perhaps suggesting that very little job security, I digress. So the "ride/along" for 10 hour shift / interview process begins like this : Upon arrival candidate is informed that all levels of education EMTs and Paramedics have equal wieght in deciding if the potential employee will quote "FIT IN" no information on the math in a so called vote. This premise discussed in the 10 minutes before the interview : (candidate is asked to check go out a unit) That "getting" along with the group was a huge priority, later the topic was breached but candidate regarding chain of command, and criteria for the daily "team Leader" also discussed later was the progressive development of a service and excellence in patient, these did not seem to be an issue for the group, were too busy watching TV. That said: TNK admin was in the guidelines but no one had administerd it in the field to that date. Within 10 minutes the "entire group" of employees, that's 6 crews sit down at table (am. change over) and they all have the opportunity to review the resume you have submitted. You have not been asked for your permission to share and unknowing that prior to this group interview that ALL would have access to all the information you have provided in confidence to the employer. Then a round table "free for all" for all employees to ask questions from the questions very little experiance of the employees in the interview process, itself. Big issue was conflict resolution when a EMT wants to do a procedure that they were familliar ie apply LSB straps. Only one question asked by the manager a typical "medical direction contraversy" ie MD recieving firmly refuses to have a Pre-Arrest patient intubated .... the typical "no win senario" the what's best for the patient objective, and the political dance. Senario: The applicant is 20 years older than the average group member with vast field experiance, ground, flight and a degree level program that in an associated health care field and much Hospital experiance in Intensive Care Units. So the I raise these question's: 1- Should hiring practice's be based on this group "Social Interview" to "Fit In" ? 2- Or the traditional proven field experiance and reputation for excellence in Patient Care? (ps: no letters of recommendation nor commendations requested by manager.) 3- Could age discrimination become an concern if a candidate be unsuccessful ? (Perhaps legal action be contemplated based on this percieved discrimination ?) 4-Could a breach of personal information become an issue if a candidate be unsuccessful ? (Again perhaps legal action in regard to freedom of information / personal privacy investigations with government entities involved ? ) 5- OR is it best to walk away from this 'Click's' type hiring practices ? All Input(s) Welcome ..... PLEASE.

dear spenac: Just following this thread's posted topic is all. I couldn't help myself ...... sorry ! :wink:

tniuqs wrote: With this statement it brings to mind one of the reasons that AB & BC do have issues at the ACP level, So does AB drop the standard or BC raise the high bar ? Don't get me wrong the majority of ACPs in AB need a palm pilot program for the ABG thang. The real point (s) are this Competition is a good social gathering for "national team building" and does open dialog on a national level that is the real success of this great learning opportunity! but why set the standards so low ? ... reach for the CCP level ! Maybe 1 CCP, 1 ACP, 1 PCP per team, just saying. Sadly, this type of competition persay is only available to services than can financially support these teams. I dare say if had a spare 5 G I would love to bring a team as well, but my wallet ain't that phat. But no mention of this in this protocols ? So without a CLEAR CRITERIA for a written examination, can't you see that this is a setup for a big fat FAIL ? This is one problem that examiners in ACoP do not have (although a bit dated) the testing criteria is very clearly laid out. Firstly make the system more efficiant and get rid of some of the dogmatic beurocracy first thats the biggest problem, doubt anyone would disagree on that in BC?. (HEY, do write a letter to your MLA as it could not hurt at all to educate the officials that pay the bills) That said I think perhaps this maybe a goal of your government, as many of out of scope managers are coming from more progressive "places" the "change from within concept applied" ... just a bit sneaker is all. The "recruit the rookie" concept is folly and destined to fail if the goal is to prudently improve ACLS care in your province, this idea for recruitment as it is just not a good representation of the best possible candidates and seriously it is also NOT cost effective either your having to pay for training "everyone/ ps taxpayers" bitch about the high costs of health care .... don't they? BTW .. when ACLS was initiated in Edmonton, they reqruited 4 of the best experianced REMT-Ps that they could find: 1 from NYC, 1 from Chicago, 1 from Tuson, and 1 from LA .... it was a HUGE success. Don't reinvent the Wheel when its working well in many other places. (just an idea is all) Senario: So I am a guy with a home and family, move all my stuff/kids/wife to say VAN or VIC for 3 months and then and only then and IF I get a good evaluation ... then where am I going next ? Do you see where I am going with this ? Just what would an experianced Practitioner PCP or ACP have to gain to just uproot from a decient paying job and relocate with no guarantee where they would even geographically end up? Yea, BC is beautiful but we can go there on holidays .... With this attitude based on the placement practices, and primarily UNION influenced this a good explanation of why the BEST candidates never even bothered to even investigate 3 years ago when the drive was in full swing. Medical translation of WCB = Geriatric Rectal Cranial Inversion ? WCB and OH+S are NOT friends of Paramedicine .... PERIOD! cheers ps rockshoes, I know I am preaching to the choir, sure hope that some lurkers read my missive is all. :wink:

Firstly and MOST Importantly agreed lots of bilateral heads up butts, the only fast tracking I can see is a serious court challenge (from either side of the rockies, I could really care less who funds this challenge from BC or AB really) get sleepy government officials moving, use solidarity for Paramedicine as the rationalle. Never even suggested anything negative re: Quality of ACPs ... ever. Yes, Quite aware of the Durham finals and kudos, thing is place these all these folks in a sim @ the RAH or Uof A with ABGs, XRAYs, Labs plus ER MDS running the model's and one may find some very different outcome's and not sour grapes at all just a frank reality, heck Parkland won it last year. My counterpoint is that this just rationalization, and I see some pride as well, all awesome PR never the less, congrads to all the teams that recieved funding for this event. On to Protocols: YOU are trying to defend the new ones, I am not being to quick at all so read on my friend, if you believe that BC ACPs are practicing on the same level as others in the country. YES WE DO ! Here is the "problem" I have > than 20 years on the Road and Air, so just where is this credit thing factor in ? Just how does your idea factor into this statement :3 months of paid or not. This does is addresses lack of ALS providers nor is it anywhere near cost effective. This 3 month deal is a union dictated "ideal" dude. I can work without supervision in the US and the majority of provinces and territories across Canada but have to have my hand held it is nonsense! I dare say YOUR opinion will change when you get YOUR ACP ticket. The very concept that YOU brought to light here, that being 'locums in more remote areas where ALS is needed" agreed an orientation period always is required .... but 3 months ? come on is that realistic time frame to follow through with your suggestion or maybe I am confused ? Do the Math and by 2020 you may have enough to initiate this "locum idea" with the advancing age demographic a very serious consideration. <snip my quote> Yes quite aware, its the lobotomy part I have some difficulty with is all, sheesh workplace BC affecting the provision of advanced health care ? Since when did they have input affecting Health Care, it is simply not within their juristiction or mandate. BUT Hey were have a similar "stupid" affect with OH + S here, as they dictate ACP but can't identify that the "Level 3" FA Kits do not include IVs or even a Monitor .... ? WTF! All in All its a bloody mess ! cheers

Thank You to doczilla ! Not only did you save me hours of research, hey, maybe my life ? I am hoping that I never actually have to do anymore personal field testing, just picking up some shifts with an stellar rural operator and they do issue balistic vests ! So walking in with YOUR pasting along of expert knowledge this will be advantagous no doubt at all. As mediccjh case, I too have been on the recieving end of a some flying lead, but fortunately a very poor "domestic" marksman, thank dog! or maybe I just have an allergic to lead ? :wink: Also have been suddenly "pasted" against a forward bulkhead of a gut wagon, which was not very polite either. :x a good thing I broke my PARTNERS fall Thing is, the kicks and the punches that I have recieved over the years have all been quite well targeted on my face or head, so, do they make kevlar toques ? j/k EH! I am not worried about the heat retention concerns, as in my world this is an advantage, as in Canada it is 10 months of winter and 2 months of poor skiing. cheers thanks again.

Most Excellent Idea with Exchange ! Kudos would love to get on-board with that excellent idea, pick me first. Unfortunatly I have reciently contacted BCAS in order to investigate reciprocity, so here is the lastest from union run/ dominated position. Even though I have active practice permit Alberta ACP/CCP level + other areas of Health Care AND have done many Medivacs OUT of BC, for years Flying. I have to still have write a $500.00 exam based on protocols that are about 10 years behind Alberta, I have current ACLS, PALS whatever. Then I have to do a 3 month "mentorship" before I will be allowed to practice on the ground and restricted to a only major community ie VAN, VIC, Killona (lol) or the LOOPs ...I have no choice of where I wish to work.... ah canadian democracy in action.... MEH! Well you get the black and white picture, from a kodiac brownie camera :twisted: I use a new fangled digital .... if your following my ramblings . The biggest problem in BC is "top heavy" organized Labour, odd that Alberta ACPs are providing care to MANY industrial site's on the sly, as there are NO government regs in Private Delivery of Health Care and odd that Oilpatch DEMANDS that Level of care .... WCB should be burned to the ground and start again. Maybe perhaps time to consider a change for the public at large TOO? GETHERDONE! Personally: I would relish the idea of a court challenge, in reciprocity, it could just open up a door really wide and very pretty scarry to those white shirts in the Justice Institue sitting on their union asses... is my BET :evil: So who would be the winner's with this you say .... the sick/injured taxpayers of BC perhaps ? cheers Honestly some Volly sytems DO work more effectively than overbearing Union Shows, just saying ......................... ALWAYS other options to consider.

OK: I am really wondering if ANYONE read this Part ? or really understands where the Charlottes even are for that matter ..... JMHO but this is the "first" biggest hurdle to ovecome in the British Columbia System, it is absolutley insane that a dispatch center is so far away from reality. Sorry for going off topic but this "regionalization concept" is huge folly and a abismal failure for ground dispatch, in passing having dealt with the Air Side .... many concerns there too. Just to put the time space continum in realistic pespective, It is akin to being dispatched for a call in Seattle Washington and having Dispatch in Boise Idaho, bit fewer calls though, but yes really really, it is that radical of a difference. :roll: Also note another huge problem is that every ambulance driver in BC is called a Paramedic when in fact only about 7 major communities in BC actually have ACP's. I have just reviewed the new proposed protocols as well, in passing and there is MUCH to do to bring BC ACP standards up to the national average. No offence implyed or intended as I am quite positive that if 'Happiness" was given any opportunity to upgrade to provide ALS services to her community AND be appropriately reimbursed she would be way ..... HAPPIER And so would I ! And someday I WILL get there .... it is the most pristine temperate rain forest left on the planet. cheers

No I think the "OLD GUY" is just shooting blanks anyway. :oops: Can I bring MY Shotgun too, I may need it Now !

This is just one of the incidents that I see almost daily in the EMS news and appears never ending ....................................! Not much doubt in my mind that wearing of a vest in this situation (or many others situations) would not have be a "bad" idea either. Just FYI: anyone wishing to post links to affordable VESTS, please feel free I am all ears, that said I would really like to hear from Doczilla for his informed and respected input . I am totally convinced now and about to put some hard earned $$$$ down. cheers Wondering: Do I need a Vest to go to a Wedding, as I have tentative plans to head down south soon. 8)

CONGRADULATIONS on the 500th Birthday North! I am sooo hoping your not in your birthday suit as you post .... :shock: ps I googled Nosepick, its not in Georgia its just north and west of G.P. .... te he. cheers

Just curious in this now resusitated thread, did CHP take the witness protection program that was offered :?: Must wholeheartedly agree with Dwayne : Estrogen is the scariest weapon on the planet :shock: Even those that have been temporarily issued with this weapon of mass influence are OUT OF CONTROL ! cheers, and after that comment I too have gone under deep cover. 8)

ps He is ok now, well at least he can type in "chat" and no way he is an idiot ... just a dumb ass :wink: Compensation is directly proportional to Fluid intake in my world, personally I use the life giving "Beer Therapy" asap after donating but thats because of my Scottish Heritage = CHEAP DRUNK. Ok lso ets do the Math and keep in mind the very astute input from my Brother from a different Mother ... the holder of the " I hate the senario when BP is normally 90/60 geriatric club" te he. So: Estimated blood loss = 500 mls. besides additional Labs drawn ? + Insensitive H2O loss increased with "possible" Hyperventilation. PMHX: (3 hours prior) + 12 ingested p.o. 16 ozs/ 475 mls of H2O .... normal renal function = therefore Homeostasis, so one can not account for this intake. Ok the old adage when replacing volume: For every liter blood loss then 3:1 crystaloid IV replacement, so following that an episode of sycope with only 1 "soda" of 12 oz. / 355 mls. remember ... P.O again. (juice would have been far better .. more electrolytes is all) Therfore a net loss and not replaced by intake ... net deficit = 1025 mls .... to my way of thinking, I guess in hindsite I should have said down a liter ! my bad ? like again? hope that helps, then again it could be Lupus or Lyme disease. :roll: cheers

Ah the voice of reason, sorry missed this while reviewing thread a dang good question. + 5 8) cheers

With the Paramedic Ninja continues CPR. Suddenly a sharp 8 inch kitchen knife is found implanted firmly anterior aspect, midline between costa about t4 to t6. Last thing your hear from the MOM is "YOU BASTARD" leave my child alone ! Yet another Ninja bites the dust !

Dad pulls out a .45 BANG ! BANG ! Your dead.

AGREED .... well partially: One step further: ALS intervention the all or none principle applied, I do not have the social code mentality, meh. OK Mom ??? PLEASE go sit up front and put your seat belt on. WE will let the Doctors sort this out. We will be in the Hospital really quick, I promise. SCENE SAFETY FIRST I think your all missing a THE point here, MOST IMPORTANTLY for scene safety: With any "possible" family disagreement and confrontation in progress, physically separate the parties asap. "STAT" Police back up for a legal witness AND if "one rules out a possible weapons call" GET OFF MY TRUCK your an freaking idiot ! This senario has HUGE potential for getting out of hand in a New York Heartbeat. OK first query: A signed DNR on a 3 year old ? WTF even hypothetical, I am SO VERY sceptical from the onset. Second question: Just how can EMS confirm the validity of signatures on a piece of paper for a DNR ORDER ? I can't and will never even try. Another point being can one in this situation can not even actually confirm or deny the LEGAL parents or whoever that may BE ... or NOT BE ..... OR if they are ARMED ! So just ONE family member says work it, who am I to say NO ? My job is a Paramedic no more no less I did not recieve law degree when I graduated, for those that THINK they can call this "CODE" just who the hell do you think you are ? On a 3 year old ? gimme a break ParaGod! Really, please do reality check and just quote doczilla your "Situational Awaerness" scale is minus 5000 for those that would have the arrogance to believe they know "the rules" of this engagement. Hell even a bread knife can kill you, wear a VEST ? You may need one very soon! Use your common cents first, so please Error on the side of caution always. Just think about the calls you have been to over just a romantic break up ? Suicide attempts ? ODs ? Domestic Violence? Rape? +++++ now factor in the death of a child. AGAIN: ANY Domestic disagreements (again this one is HUGE potential) is mandatory Police intervention, just my little rule in my book (s) for personal longevity is all. :shock: cheers ps ever been witness to a shooting .... just saying be careful out there kids.

Now with Local News: This just in: after donating blood a local EMS/FF personnel slams into Innocent Family Killing ALL. Do you get where this is going ..... SLAP! The syncopal episodes that you experianced can not be diagnosed on line, hey, you were down a pint or 2, period and with the very brief related experiance it is most likely the cause ... that said: What IS wrong with you is that you CONTINUED to drive, not once but 3 occasions ! 1- leaving facility 2- enroute on a highway. 3- out of a bean field ? 4- and your EMS friends then took you HOME ? WTF ? It should become quite self evident, that you did not make good judgments, would you allow a patient describing this situation to just go home ? ... I certianly hope not ! So please take ALL the above advice and seek a higher level of medical intervention. Unless your GOAL IS to kill someone or yourself. cheers

Hey you back in your corner (plural) LMFAO! Hey: My poster has a "REWARD" on it and its in every P.O. across Kanukistan, mr smarty pants .... 8) cheers

Late Thoughts : I wonder if Dr. L. Francisscutti would like to comment about this senario ? He is after all a serious advocate and on the Alberta Trauma Prevention Council. Maybe about seatbelts in School Buses ? Maybe about ALS in Rural Communities ? Maybe about improved municipal funding formula's ? Maybe about provincial EMS direction ? Maybe about other things, hes one smart guy ! just wondering is all ? cheers

Love the way you think JPINFV That is if one CAN contact medical control, could it be the MD may be kinda overwhelmed already ? Politically situational awareness, is very important IMHO. So just for added interest in this "senario" .... lets factor in some mitigating circumstances, shall we ? 1- The weather conditions ? POOR ? ... that's always the case for me. 2- So just what are the availabe and "timely" resources that are at dispatchers disposal ? 3- Is this remote farming community ? 3- Due to wx conditions .... is a Helo availible ? So maybe if your lucky (a > 40 minute response for mutual aid ? hope I am not misleading TOO much ? 4- Any further updates from EMS crews / Fire Chief/ RCMP/ or Incident Comander on scene ? (What are THEY requesting? ie could this be defurral to a higher authority ?) [hr:b4927f7333] Umm not near enough sir ! Maybe write a letter to your MLA while you wait in ER ? Is your hand ok, here is a special pen that I will lend you :twisted: [hr:b4927f7333] WTF ? PLEASE factor out the bs glamour comment and the high rating of the "prick scale' really has no bearing in this type of senario I would surely HOPE. [hr:b4927f7333] So: In this senario: These are the children of a small farming community are they not ? That you are entrusted and funded to serve ? Next Question to Buddy: When did you last have a drink ? Does buddy smell of ETOH ? .... see where I am going with this ? You want evil, mobey your the diet pepsi of :evil: You want bad press, just ask yourself this Sir "How will this community respond when they hear that you insisted that I transport you with a just a busted leg when there easily could be a child that is not breathing ? Under ones breath .... don't think I want to be your sorry ass when that hits the local moccasin telegraphy, cough, splutter, gag. [hr:b4927f7333] Now that IS the voice of reason and experiance, fortunatly we do not have the crazy ass laws that you do down south that prempt common sense. NO court in Canada in would even proceed with any litigation or abandonment issues under these circumstances and even if they did, AND thanks to Ralphy the max "buddy" could even sue for is pain and suffering = 4 G, besides that no way "buddy" would get even close to that, even IF he was succesful that. My bet is the local Judge would file it .... "G" .... no evidence to procced, I think the RCMP would hide their laughter, if "buddy" even attempted to made a complaint, perhaps stopp him to check his lights next week ? I bet the Mayor would love some "ammunition" as well to improve funding ... You think ? Question mobey ..... is this an ALS service ?:evil: If Not where is the Closest ALS service ? Not here THANK DOG ! NO criminal intent = it again goes to "tort law/civil law" for YALLs a completely different cultural view, based on a thang called "the reasonable man" Yes a very different legal system, I suggest politely unless one has a very good understanding of CANADIAN laws one could look very silly, perhaps ignorant too ... just saying. One would be judged by a peer group, ie other medics and IF a regulatory body was involved ... I bet $$$$$$$ that NO way they would even touch THIS type hypothetical senario, I suspect there would be quite a few "volunteers" for ACR or C+C investigations, for the good of the proffession is ALL. Even IF it did go to courts, just perhaps, with a smart litigator the circumstances would be "quietly" made public ? AGAIN (don't think I want to be "buddy's" sorry ass in a small community that knows you hit your dog last week, meh !) cheers and an a very interesting senario , any further information in this hypothetical senario? any deaths ? any transports ? Or was it just a practice run ? :roll:

Ok Phil slams our pride in our national mascots, and the only aircraft company that we can call "partially" owned .... Then a nasty joke about those hard working North Saskatchewan River Pirates , hey do you know how it is hard to row when its -40 C ! So whats next ? Your not going to laugh about the failing "Green Crops" in BC are you .... sniff sniff ps Happiness the Screech is only for the tourists ... its rot gut .... don't tell them K !

Yes this question is discussed at infanitum, and on many websites and listservers. There is no national immediate reciprocity anywhere in Canada as health care is a provincial juristiction bottom line. There are agreements in place but very sadley there is really no golden licensure, mobility of labour is quite a complex issue. At 17 years old your looking at quite a bit of time (maybe well spent) before you can get anywhere at all, and do not believe the movies or the TLC channels its really not the truth at all. Perhaps .... do a ride along or 2 first before you put your money down for any school maybe get into lifegaurding or St. Johns first to get a feel for things ? Thing is in most provinces now one has to at least be 18 (legal age) before one even can do a ride along. Check out the Paramedics of Manitoba's website .... they have many links to many of the questions you are going to ask, and WHY would you want to work in Montreal anyway ? :shock: j/k The hot chicks are in Toba ! cheers and happy researching.

Phil: Obviously you have never flown with Air Cabbage, there are no flight attendant (s) on a Beaver and the Newfie was just looking for another free drink, the way I heard it.