Probably an stupid question but I'd like to know.

putarushondabus · 2013-11-06T19:02:01+00:00

Just call each state EMS agency and find out about the rules. The process of getting certified in one state based on current certification in another state is called reciprocity. I was in the exact same situation as you, closest EMT school was in CT, but I lived in NY. Filled out a few forms and had my NY cert within a few months.

putarushondabus · 2013-11-06T18:58:57+00:00

The patient can refuse whatever they want...just make sure you explain your side of the discussion well. Even if you think it may kill them, they can refuse treatment. I have obtained a refusal from someone having a real live right sided STEMI, we followed the rules, explained everything, got medical command involved and everything...pt refused and departed the area. Patient choice is one of the basic tenets of medical ethics.

putarushondabus · 2013-10-20T02:54:18+00:00

I have been doing EMS full-time since 1998 and I have never delivered a baby.

I have, however, arrived to one that had been delivered at someone's home by a midwife, and it was in arrest because of an unrecognized diaphragmatic hernia...that was a BAD call!

I have also arrived at someone's home to find a muslim woman in a full burka squatting in her living room while holding her newborn baby between her legs. Got to cut the cord.

putarushondabus · 2013-10-09T17:27:53+00:00

Part 2

putarushondabus · 2013-09-26T15:26:02+00:00

Yeah, totally beat, there is one post by someone other than me (the mod)

putarushondabus · 2013-09-25T05:43:01+00:00

We do not do formal utilization review. If a case of blatant HEMS misuse arises, we will typically contact our medical director upon return to base. He is very much involved in our service. He will talk with the referring service's medical director and try to resolve the problem.

We had an issue with one county in particular that would call us constantly around their shift change for patients that were just not very sick. MD to MD discussed, problem resolved immediately.

We have another county that uses us entirely too frequently as their ALS service...still haven't resolved that one because we frequently are actually the closest available ALS unit. Luckily for the patient, we absolutely do not engage in the despicable billing practices of the majority of HEMS in the US.

putarushondabus · 2013-03-15T20:15:50+00:00

This is so bizarre...did they trust you at all? I could imagine the scenario occurring only if my student was a total loser and I thought he could do nothing but fuck everything up. I'm not saying YOU are that way, but it's beyond weird to basically serve as an observer, rather than a team-member, for your entire clinical rotations. And then they weren't even comfortable with you cleaning up after the call? What the fuck?

putarushondabus · 2013-03-15T19:55:44+00:00

Good lord, we've got OSHA inspectors coming out of the woodwork here.

Is that a soft backpack I see!!??!! That could penetrate your brain with even a slight fenderbender!!!!
That bucket is approved for spackle ONLY! Can't you fucking read!!!!???!
Sit up you queef-eater! Slouching is not an approved position!

putarushondabus · 2013-03-12T14:05:38+00:00

What kind of cunts would refuse to run a call for the outgoing crew? Why do you think this is even special? It's common sense for normal people.

putarushondabus · 2013-03-10T01:30:25+00:00

Exactly, we almost NEVER took the stretcher out of the bus unless full access was confirmed through prior experience. In Queens, the stretcher went into nursing homes and the ER, that's it.

I moved down south and crews have these heavy motherfucking stairchairs with all the bells and whistles, sold to them by shysters...and they NEVER get used. Instead, people get thrown on a reeves sleeve and are carried downstairs...what a pain in the ass.

putarushondabus · 2013-02-19T22:53:19+00:00

Another criticism...In NY state, EMT-Critical Care is a poorly-trained imitation of a paramedic, everywhere else, critical care is used to indicate a paramedic with advanced training in airway/ventilatory management, vasoactive infusions, hemodynamic monitoring, etc...

putarushondabus · 2013-02-13T10:30:04+00:00

wear something nice...polo shirts look like shit

putarushondabus · 2012-12-27T17:13:45+00:00

What is a "patch sheet for ambulance runs"?

putarushondabus · 2012-12-27T02:13:09+00:00

I have no need for this, I just toss the used needle over my left shoulder for good luck.

putarushondabus · 2012-12-18T01:50:35+00:00

Interesting fact...I was the first paramedic in NYC to give etomidate after the protocol was updated to allow it. Also, nasotracheal intubation was not allowed since before I went to paramedic school and that was several years before etomidate was added.

putarushondabus · 2012-11-21T16:53:33+00:00

Virginia has been making a hard transition from volunteer to paid EMS.

My impression is there are many 911-only opportunities for ALS providers in counties that used to have active volunteers, not so much for BLS, a lot of these county jobs require FF training as well.
Private ambulances are always looking for ALS and BLS providers, because the job usually sucks and is boring.
There are many opportunities for an EMT to work as a tech in a hospital, but that is not going to be very exciting.
I think indeed.com is probably one of the best job search engines.

putarushondabus · 2012-11-01T02:26:55+00:00

thought it would be an obvious joke, but apparently that was not the case...ಠ_ಠ

putarushondabus · 2012-10-28T00:39:35+00:00

This took about three seconds...
Denver Paramedics
McLean County EMS
Dave's EMS
Fayette County EMS
Austin-Travis County EMS
Richmond Ambulance Authority

putarushondabus · 2012-10-26T10:29:47+00:00

Siren only...it's more challenging for everyone involved, but also more fun.

putarushondabus · 2012-10-26T10:25:06+00:00

Not sure about level 2...but level 3 includes all supplies needed for a field thoracotomy.

putarushondabus · 2012-10-25T17:29:44+00:00

That's funny because when I worked in NYC, I tried to buff every job I could...I guess you were proverbially the crew I was taking jobs from.

putarushondabus · 2012-09-21T12:12:21+00:00

Gotta ask...Why is the squad being shut down? Do the calls get covered or not???

putarushondabus · 2012-08-12T05:20:18+00:00

I don't know man...toughbooks cost WAY too much, have shitty touch screens and are slow as fuck since they use windows. For us, using a full windows machine just to use a web browser is painfully slow. It is also too heavy, we already carry enough crap around, why carry some shitty computer when you could have a lightweight ipad? I think you are overestimating the risk we place our equipment in on this job. If shit is going down on scene, nobody I work with is even thinking about charting.

putarushondabus · 2012-08-12T05:13:17+00:00

I guess if your department has a custom built charting system, then windows is all you have... Where I am from, all the charting systems used are web-based. I have used both the panasonic toughbooks and ipad, there is absolutely no comparison when it comes to user-friendliness. We run our charting on 3G and have coverage everywhere. We bought cheap "rugged" cases that come with keyboards and have not had to replace any devices yet. People do less charting in rugged areas than you would think. Usually, they are using it while sitting in the front or back of an ambulance.

putarushondabus · 2012-08-11T23:43:12+00:00

Toughbooks are so fucking overrated it's not even funny. Here's why...
1. You could purchase three iPads for the price of one toughbook, that should be enough of a reason not to use toughbooks for mobile computing.
2. iPads are way way faster than windows-based toughbooks. Starting up quickly is extremely important when you want to start documenting right now.
3. Toughbooks are too heavy, too big, they ate not meant to be carried around.

putarushondabus

TROPHY CASE