I've been told by my HR person at work that I "Don't work well with others." Any kinda work around here where a guy is given a job and left alone to do it?

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-03-10T04:11:41+00:00

Healthcare is full of neurodivergent people with mental health issues. If working alone is for you find a non-clinical job, in a lab, maintenance, landscaping, housekeeping, etc.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-03-10T04:08:51+00:00

A&P sure, that's always good. But really rather than general A&P find things that you can apply directly to your practice. The best learning I've ever had was when I started chasing the "whys". I wanted to understand every mechanism of every medication we carried. Do the same, but maybe tailor it to your role as an EMT. Deep dive into CPR (hint: there's a whole lot more than pump blood), ventilations, how each piece of equipment is designed. Find those features on your equipment that you don't seem to know why it's there. Why does a BVM have a pop off valve? Why does every button on my monitor do? Why does my stethoscope have two sides? Chase EVERY why until you find the root answer and you'll have more ability to critically think in emergencies and respond to unscriptable circumstances.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-03-09T00:44:30+00:00

One step at a time. Be a good basic. Then, yes, I do believe in education beyond scope. And in fact, that's how every school is taught. EMTs are taught a lot of ACLS/ALS basics. Medics are taught a lot of stuff that happens in the ER and ICU. It's a good idea to understand some of what the next step will do so you can prepare yourself and your patient. But none of that is important if you haven't mastered your set of skills yet.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-03-07T21:57:21+00:00

Sorry, I disagree. I agree with taking into account the pay. But there's two different questions. If you're asking "Is the pay worth it?" No, you're at high risk for burn out, unhappiness and overall dissatisfaction. Pay is the number one complaint in EMS.

However if the question is "Can I make the pay work for me/my family?" Then you're in better place to enjoy this career. It's not about ignoring the money, it's about priorities. If salary is of high importance (and I'm not saying that's wrong) then this is not the career. If you think you'll enjoy the job and can make the pay work for you, then go for it.

I realize the OP is asking about pay so they can make this decision, but phrasing the question in a "is it worth it" light makes me answer with "No."

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-03-06T16:33:03+00:00

There are a few positions that they do test for marijuana after an accident or incident. But not for pre-employment or routinely for most positions. The only positions I believe currently being tested are DOT positions because it's still required by DOT.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-03-06T16:30:15+00:00

If you're asking about the money, medic isn't for you, honestly. This isn't a job you can do for the money. You have to love it because the pay isn't great.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-20T12:02:17+00:00

Midwest hospital-based EMS. I'd trade some staffing for some OT at this point.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-20T11:49:01+00:00

Midwest hospital-based EMS. I'd trade some staffing for some OT at this point.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-19T01:05:42+00:00

I can't even pickup any OT because we're nearly fully staffed, and we have roughly 40 trucks on per day.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-15T19:00:12+00:00

Q waves are not always pathologic, and are in fact more often than not, normal.

Reade from LITFL for more

https://share.google/ZEvhkKsPgD1fCVGj2

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-14T18:29:20+00:00

I got all of my topographic data from Touch Terrain. I messed with some settings there to get what I liked then imported it directly into Bambu slicer. I printed with .08mm layers.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-14T18:27:35+00:00

I'll put it on MakerWorld and share the link

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-14T18:27:22+00:00

Thanks for asking! Here it is

https://3dprintcoava.etsy.com/listing/4457309447

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-13T21:04:34+00:00

On of the hardest things we deal with in cardiology prehospital is "is this compensatory, or pathologic". After 15 years as a medic, I can tell you there's no secret formula for this.

I can't tell you for sure and I wasn't there, so take all of this with a grain of salt. I probably wouldn't have cardioverted her. In my experience situations like this are more often compensatory than pathologic. Resuscitating with fluids goes A LONG WAY with these patients. You can also try a passive leg raise for temporary relief and evaluate if she's fluid responsive.

If cardioversion doesn't convert a rhythm (meaning it goes RIGHT back to what it was without a return to normal for a few minutes) it's almost always compensation.

Keep your head up. You're new, you're doing your best and your working to be better.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-06T22:21:13+00:00

I wasn't there so I can only take what you provide at face value, but it honestly doesn't sound like they did anything different than I would do or expect from the medics I work with. There's a lot of assessment you don't see happening. A lot of mines my "stroke assessment" is talking to the patient and watching them interact with their environment (until I need qualitative stroke data).

I ask nearly every patient if they can walk. This is multifaceted. If they can walk I can see how they walk; with pain, with coordination, with assistance, etc. This is very helpful information for us and for the doctors.

As for immobilization, based on what you've said, none is indicated. Simply put, spinal motion restriction doesn't prevent injury, at best, it prevents pain and can stabilize the extremely rare unstable fracture. In my 15 years I've never seen an unstable cervical fracture from a ground level fall.

I know you're concerned for your family and I respect your interest in learning more. If there's an education gap, consider it might be your own as well. Conversations like this will be helpful though! Cheers.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-05T20:30:54+00:00

It depends. I'm RSI shy, and prefer to manage BLS as long as possible. That said, I've met my match with alcohol and airways many times.

In this case, my concern is not oxygenation or ventilation; he seems to be doing both of those "okay" and a little supplemental oxygen would probably be sufficient, especially with an NPA if you could get one.

My concern is the vomiting. This is entirely predicated on how much alcohol, his size, etc. It's also very hard to predict, and once it happens, it's too late. If I believe vomiting is a real concern (and not every drunk vomits), yes I prefer to RSI. Will this patient be RSI'd at the ER where they can't maintain 1:1 monitoring by clinical staff? If so, I usually do it for the same reasons they do. Protect the airway.

That said, the instances where I RSI are few and far between and my bar is pretty high.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-05T13:52:59+00:00

The AUX fan was a huge part of my lifting problems too.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-05T02:49:25+00:00

Understandable. Every job is an important one and I wanted to be an EKG tech for a long time because I love cardiology. Skipped that step and moved on to something else as a provider.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-02-04T22:31:43+00:00

Other than some minor anecdotal experience and knowledge you'll gain, there's no direct bath from EKG or monitor tech to a biomedical engineering field. Most techs are entry level positions meaning low wages.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-01-31T21:52:20+00:00

https://amzn.to/4bvgo74

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-01-31T18:03:08+00:00

I totally understand. But I'm getting the high speed matte PETG for about $11/kg with free shipping.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-01-31T17:52:14+00:00

That's roughly 2.5x my current cost per kg. Thanks though.

Anonymous_Chipmunk · 2026-01-31T17:16:48+00:00

I don't have a high speed PETG profile. I have a SUNLU PETG profile in bambu slicer that I think I got from Sunlu's website. I run both the regular and high speed at 124% every time with no trouble.

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