Getting stuck on the Bariatric unit, advice?

davesseasonal06

Forum Ride Along
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0
1
So I work for a private emergent transport company. It seems that whenever I don't put myself available for night shifts, they throw me on the bari truck for day shifts. I wouldn't even mind but our bariatric trucks and equipment isn't nearly as nice as our regular BLS trucks (most of which are only 3-5 years old). All of our bari trucks are old and beaten up. Not to mention our old electric fernos with the bari conversion kit (not even real bari stretchers) with no lift system and only 2 man crews. On top of that we go all over the state where as our normal rigs stay in certain areas all day. Not to mention the back pain that comes with it. I know how to lift properly but transferring a 500lb man to the stretcher with only 1 other person isn't that easy.
So I would like to know
1. How can I get out of being on bariatric? (I'm friends with a doctor and a chiropractor, doctors note maybe?)
or
2. How can I convince our company to get proper and new bariatric equipment? (a lift, new stretchers, hell some new trucks that aren't 10+ years old)
 

cprted

Forum Captain
389
183
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Two medics moving a 500lbs patient by themselves? That is an unsafe work practice. I don't know how the laws in your area work but here they'd be required to have a second crew assist or you could legally refuse.
 

Ewok Jerky

PA-C
1,401
738
113
No way I would work bariatric without a lift assist. I have been known to request a response from fire for a lift assist when they refused to send another crew.

"En route to where ever. Be advised we will require a lift assist on arrival"

My career is not worth it.
 

Angel

Paramedic
1,201
307
83
AND if they tell you your lift assist is 30, 45 minutes out...tell them youll wait..i can almost promise theyll magically appear sooner than that. my old company did that all the time hoping wed say never mind and do it ourselves. no way in the WORLD!
 

Rick Tresnak

Forum Crew Member
99
13
8
Cruel and I wish uncommon. Are you huge? Seriously. Strain something and get your doctor to write you something is probably the quickest easiest way.
 

ZombieEMT

Chief Medical Zombie
Premium Member
375
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Answer to #1, make your self available for night shifts, lol.

In all seriousness, do not lift without a lift assist. It is not safe to your partner, your patient, or yourself. Assistance in lifting can come from many areas. I mainly request assistance from other available units, regardless of wait time. Also, if at a facility, I requested assistance from the facility. On the street, request lift assist from local fire/ems, even in IFT.

Answer to #2, demonstrate the need for the equipment. Make a powerpoint or a different type of presentation, showing the need and the benefits of upgrading equipment. You can also fundraise for the equipment. Sometimes, the money is not there for new equipment and trucks all around and finances go to priority.
 
OP
OP
davesseasonal06

davesseasonal06

Forum Ride Along
3
0
1
Answer to #1, make your self available for night shifts, lol.

In all seriousness, do not lift without a lift assist. It is not safe to your partner, your patient, or yourself. Assistance in lifting can come from many areas. I mainly request assistance from other available units, regardless of wait time. Also, if at a facility, I requested assistance from the facility. On the street, request lift assist from local fire/ems, even in IFT.

Answer to #2, demonstrate the need for the equipment. Make a powerpoint or a different type of presentation, showing the need and the benefits of upgrading equipment. You can also fundraise for the equipment. Sometimes, the money is not there for new equipment and trucks all around and finances go to priority.

The money is there, my company just bought 5 brand new MAVT vans. Even though they have a bunch of new MAVT vans already.
 

MonkeyArrow

Forum Asst. Chief
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The money is there, my company just bought 5 brand new MAVT vans. Even though they have a bunch of new MAVT vans already.

What is a MAVT van? From a quick Google, could it stand for Mobility Assistance Vehicle Technician (van)?
 

ZombieEMT

Chief Medical Zombie
Premium Member
375
28
28
That is correct, an MAV is a Mobility Assistance Vehicle and a MAVT is a Mobility Assitance Vehicle Technician. They are wheelchair or coach vans with a power lift, just the term used for NJ.
 
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