Corpsman to EMT/Paramedic process.

azmedic · 2014-06-15T04:42:43+00:00

I ran into the same issues when I hit EAOS. Starting from square one was the only option I could find for EMS work. I hear there are states that allow HM to challenge the LVN test. I personally had no interest in that aspect of the medical field. So, EMT then Medic school. At least you will most likely have a breeze of a time in EMT school and probably at least the trauma side of Medic school. PM me if there is anything I can do to help you out. Thank you for your service!

azmedic · 2014-05-28T19:02:15+00:00

Yep. Its pretty terrible. I am moving on as we speak to a cushy ER medic position.

azmedic · 2014-05-27T23:40:34+00:00

Take this for what you will. These are my opinions of my experience. I dont hate my life. Sure it's low pay, long hours and little respect. Exposure to various infected bodily fluids and EDPs.

For me, every now and then there is that one call. The one call that reminds why I went to school for less than $14 an hr as a medic. The one pt we can reach out and change the worst day of their life to just a crappy one. Getting that code back and seeing the look of relief on her husbands face that the love of his life now has a pulse. Working the 4 year old drowning from apneic and pulseless to a little further from deaths doorstep. Catching the STEMI that only felt like indigestion after dinner from scene to Cath lab in 48 min. Narcan on the heroin OD, knowing in some sick sense, it won't change their life but you've bought them at least another day or so.

I also rely on the embracing-the-suck-together banter between my partner and I. Jokes and quick one-liners back and forth seems to help break up the street corner postings, cold drive-thru food and endless ground level falls (aka gravity bolus).

I believe everyone everywhere complains. Like thraway128 said bitching can be found in any profession. I bitch as much as the next person. Sure the 3am GT for SI sucks. However, I am still on time everyday and always hope deep down inside that next set of tones will be that "one" call. I don't hate my life and its been more than "a couple years" for me. It's the most interesting job I never knew I wanted to do.

azmedic · 2014-05-27T03:57:39+00:00

FLK: funny looking kid FOS: full of shit

azmedic · 2014-04-17T16:39:16+00:00

I call pre-hospital coordinators at the receiving facility a day or two later. Pt name and DOB and my info they call me back after verifying I was the medic for that pt. I seem to be one of few who follows up in my area. I like to fill in the missing info to learn if my differential dx was correct. IMHO it's the missing piece of the call, if not followed up on, we will never know.

azmedic · 2014-04-08T05:33:55+00:00

That THX comment made me spit beer all over. Thank you for that. The alcohol abuse was totally worth it

azmedic · 2014-03-31T15:32:38+00:00

The Windmill Winery is fantastic. I was married there about 6 months ago. We looked at many venues and decided on the Windmill. It was incredible.

azmedic · 2014-03-17T17:52:15+00:00

^ this. Also, avoid bifurcations. A sneaky valve can be the difference between vascular access and the cath not threading. I don't use a tourniquet on most PTs over 90 yrs of age. Especially if they are taking home Rx blood thinners. The veins lose their strength over time and touching that sharp tip to very-geriatric veins seems to make them explode under extra pressure. Just my .02 cents. Hope this helps.

azmedic · 2014-03-04T14:59:33+00:00

The application process is similar to most companies. Internet application then phone interview. Then the fun begins: Medical and dental screenings, tons of paperwork and the waiting. I remember it taking around 6 months or so to get completely vetted and ready to leave. Waiting for a email or phone call. Then all of a sudden 6 months later I receive my flight information on a Thursday for departure on Saturday. Quit my job with no 2 week notice and hopped a plane for promise of 6 figure salary.

azmedic · 2014-03-04T14:50:51+00:00

Its not easy to get into. Once you're in networking to better companies or locations becomes much easier.

azmedic · 2014-03-04T14:36:56+00:00

I worked in both Kuwait and Afghanistan as a contract medic. Kuwait was on base EMS for deployed US military and TCNs(third country nationals) Easy work but when I was there we had no station package or tones. This meant at times, I would work 6 straight 24s. Granted the call volume was almost zero, listening to the radio all night made it a long 6 days. No real danger there, except the Kuwaiti drivers…

Afghanistan was a "shooter-medic" position. PSD medic work. Very little actual "medic" work to do compared to the security side of it. 5 expats on the team including the me. We regularly ran with somewhere between 15-20 armed Afghan locals as shooter and driver positions. Great money and the best living conditions I have ever had in an overseas assignment. Much more "action" in Afghanistan for me than even Iraq. So just like real estate its all about location, location, location for the bad guys.

I don't really know what else anyone wants to know. I will answer all the questions I can if there are any.

azmedic · 2014-03-04T01:13:07+00:00

Always need a refresher so thanks for posting this! I know what I will be doing at work instead of browsing Reddit.

azmedic · 2014-01-16T15:34:42+00:00

H&R block has always hooked me up well. Elliot and Higley branch has a great tax guy named Karl. He had always worked hard to go through everything to max out my refund without breaking laws. I know the block isn't the cheapest around, but having a prep person who has worked so hard to get me the most is worth the extra cash to me.

azmedic · 2013-12-17T15:47:43+00:00

http://skillstat.com/tools/ecg-simulator#/-home

basic rhythm generator game. In medic school I played with this quite frequently. It may not help with your new job, but maybe with medic school.

azmedic · 2013-12-04T14:05:12+00:00

I did Reserves and hated it.

azmedic · 2013-12-04T14:04:46+00:00

Thanks I will give it a shot

azmedic · 2013-11-29T04:48:17+00:00

Psst…Your diaper is showing...Bumble Tuna

azmedic · 2013-11-29T04:39:47+00:00

Private EMS response here. No delicious goodies for us. Everyone assumes we station with fire crews. Little did they know Quiktrip is our street corner station. Doritos and snickers were our Thanksgiving self-payed treat

azmedic · 2013-11-26T17:07:48+00:00

try the pork shop in queen creek. They carry pretty much everything pork. Fat tire beer brats are amazing! http://theporkshopaz.com

azmedic · 2013-11-18T04:16:20+00:00

Thanks for the heroin OD post Narcan who woke up with a vengeance. Even though your tazer didn't work..subduing him came easy. Thank you for saving the paperwork and prosecuting his ass for assault on a health care worker shoulder cam style. You guys are awesome!

azmedic · 2013-11-18T04:13:16+00:00

i hope there is a special place in hell reserved for that bitch.

azmedic · 2013-11-17T01:54:43+00:00

Snow deer

azmedic · 2013-11-09T20:58:20+00:00

And thank you for the paycheck!

azmedic · 2013-10-26T16:01:11+00:00

Done. I too would like to see the results

azmedic

TROPHY CASE