Working in Remote clinics

[Arctickat]

In addition to my usual prehospital job, I have been working per diem at a remote health clinic in Northern Canada for the past 4 years. When I first started it was like a fish out of water. How many have training that actually includes how to use an otoscope or orthoscope, or which antibiotic therapy works best for each bug. It was a long learning curve, usually self study but I now have a scope of practice within the facility that actually makes me feel like a member of the team rather than a liability.

It would be awesome if schools could provide training for medics in non-standard roles, such as a Clinical Care Paramedic. I suspect that with the ever growing need for medics outside of EMS, there will soon be expansions and more training options.

[mobey]

Hey Arctic.

I believe you are seeing that education more and more in the quality schools.

I am just finishing Pharmacology and Paramedic emerg, I have covered specific antibiotics, antiviral, antiretroviral, Antineoplastics, Hormones, Antigout meds.... etc etc. I am also learning CT scan abnormalities (like the CT nurse would know.... basically gross abnormalities), X-Ray reading 101 (specifically air/fluid levels, neumo, Fx, ET, chest & NG tube placement.

We really are being prepared to work in facility as I believe that will become a big part of our job.

(During scenarios we are even given labs once we arrive at the hospital instead of just ending the scenario)

[Arctickat]

Very cool, I am assuming that you are going to NAIT then? That's where I took my training 17 years ago. lol

[mobey]

I am taking the U of A course at Augustana.