Advice Needed

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RHEMT406

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Hey all,

Recently was employed by AMR in October. They took two months to order uniforms for me and we have finally started credentialing for EMT.I have previous EMS experience. AMR is the only true paid service in the immediate area where I live. The problem is that I don't think I want a job where all I do is drive, take vitals, and accompany flight crews to hospital. I want to use my skills and license endorsements. This is mainly the reason why I want to quit AMR in addition to some FTO issues. However, I am also going to school for paramedic, instructing and EMT course, and working a job at a semi-paid agency. I really don't have time to do AMR. The other problem is that when I do eventually become a paramedic, I need somewhere to do precepting. Unfortunately AMR is the only branch for 500 miles that the college will accept.

So. Should I quit AMR now and leave on good terms before the company invests too many resources into me? Or should I try to stay with them.

I have a couple shifts this next week where I am third-rider. So if I were to quit tomorrow, that truck will still roll whether I am there or not. What would you do?
 
Considering it sounds like you already have your plate full, I don't think it would be hard to explain quitting and still staying on good terms. Don't just quit on the spot, though. Give them a letter with your two weeks notice, explain your reasoning (not that you don't want to be a chauffeur), and allow them to decide whether or not to let you go before two weeks.
 
Sounds like AMR is not a bridge you want to burn. In our area, the part time requirements are minimal. I would do it all and keep all doors open.
 
If you quit now they will never hire you back.... Black balled by corporate... No AMR entity will hire you if you quit during the orientation/training process.

You made your bed...

"FTO issues..." Seems to be the real reason you're contemplating all this. Don't excuse that with the "I don't have time..." excuse.

Stay there. Be an EMT. I don't know what you think being an EMT is, but have you seen the guys complaining in SoCal about what they do?

Man up. Finish your FTO time, and do the damn job. If you think becoming a paramedic is going to make it all glamorous then you better quit that too buddy, because it isn't.
 
SandpitMedic said:
"FTO issues..." Seems to be the real reason you're contemplating all this. Don't excuse that with the "I don't have time..." excuse.
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Agreed. Sounds like the thing you need most is to work on getting along and embracing your role. You will need these skills going forward.
 
Working for Cal Fire pre-2006, a seasonal FF would work a 96 hour shift but get paid for 76. Midnight to 0500 was unpaid unless sleep was broken for an official reason. In those cases, all 5 hrs are paid at OT rate. This has since been changed.
 
I just use the under armour heat gear to cover up my tattoos. Works great for how hot it is down here.
 
gotshirtz001 said:
Working for Cal Fire pre-2006, a seasonal FF would work a 96 hour shift but get paid for 76. Midnight to 0500 was unpaid unless sleep was broken for an official reason. In those cases, all 5 hrs are paid at OT rate. This has since been changed.
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Whoops... Wrong thread.
 
STXmedic said:
I thought that's just what we were doing... I don't even have tattoos...
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That's great. You just caused some gatorade to spew out of my nose and kept me laughing for a good 5 minutes. :D
 
You had plenty of time to consider your time commitments while you were going through the hiring process.

If you quit now you will definitely burn a very important bridge. EMS family is very small.

EMS is a lot of driving, and a lot of taking granny to/from the hospital. I suggest you come to terms with that or rethink medic school.
 
The issue is not "taking granny to the hospital". The issue is not being able to function as an EMT. At AMR you do not use BLS skills at all. You don't do an assessment, you don't intervene with care, and you don't have actual patient interaction. At the service I have been with, it is completely opposite. The EMT is allowed to assess, intervene, and interact. The EMT is allowed to make decisions and decide appropriate care based on patient condition. There is more to being an EMT than driving and taking a blood pressure. The FTO is a small part of the conflict. That I can work around. But not being able to think for myself in regards to a patient is something I don't think I can do. I guess many of you would have to experience rural Montana with limited access to ALS. EMTs have to think for themselves. They don't always have the luxury of a paramedic doing it for them here.
 
Then what is different at AMR? Are you always with a medic? Are you not taking lead because your in FTO time?

I would stick it out but that's just me.
 
Jeeze. I've heard of ParaGod but never a BasicGod.....

SUCK IT UP. If you want to last in this field you just need to do what you have to do and realize your role and what EMS actually is. Atop that, until you're a paramedic and get to "make all the calls" it sounds like you aren't going to be very happy regardless. BLS intervention is pretty limited, so I'm not even sure what you're talking about in regards to never getting to do much. (That's not a shot at EMTs, you have an important role and excellent KSAs, but in terms of ALS vs. BLS.)

Even then, I never stood in the corner and did nothing during my years as a basic, and as a medic I certainly don't force my EMT partners to stand back and do nothing... You're in medic school- can't you just sit tight until your clinicals? Then you can assess away like there's no tomorrow.

Many of us have made it abundantly clear that if you quit now you're done there with AMR- anywhere AMR most likely. You'll be back here in a year or two asking for some more advice on where to get a starting 911 paramedic job 500 miles from where you currently reside.

You came for advice, and we're giving it to you. However, it sounds like you have already made up your mind. And just a reminder, if you're doing this to be an all-star or a hero, you are going to be very disappointed.
 
Sounds like a pretty sweet IFT gig if you're running flight crews around.

Chances are these people are pretty sick, and you're getting the chance to see awesome clinical presentations. Plus you have a flight crew held captive in the back of your rig on the return trip- They are usually more than happy to have their brains picked about their patient if you ask good questions.

I don't see what there is to complain about. If you don't like driving or taking vitals there are many non-healthcare jobs out there..
 
SandpitMedic said:
Jeeze. I've heard of ParaGod but never a BasicGod.....

SUCK IT UP. If you want to last in this field you just need to do what you have to do and realize your role and what EMS actually is. Atop that, until you're a paramedic and get to "make all the calls" it sounds like you aren't going to be very happy regardless. BLS intervention is pretty limited, so I'm not even sure what you're talking about in regards to never getting to do much. (That's not a shot at EMTs, you have an important role and excellent KSAs, but in terms of ALS vs. BLS.)

Even then, I never stood in the corner and did nothing during my years as a basic, and as a medic I certainly don't force my EMT partners to stand back and do nothing... You're in medic school- can't you just sit tight until your clinicals? Then you can assess away like there's no tomorrow.

Many of us have made it abundantly clear that if you quit now you're done there with AMR- anywhere AMR most likely. You'll be back here in a year or two asking for some more advice on where to get a starting 911 paramedic job 500 miles from where you currently reside.

You came for advice, and we're giving it to you. However, it sounds like you have already made up your mind. And just a reminder, if you're doing this to be an all-star or a hero, you are going to be very disappointed.
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To clarify a few things:
The service that I primarily run with is BLS with ALS endorsements. It's not that I like getting to call the shots, but rather, I am fascinated by finding a problem and having the ability to fix it. For example, administering something simple like albuterol for an asthma attack or D50 for a hypoglycemia. The main problem that I have with AMR is that for those types of things, the paramedic is completely in charge. You can't really use any of your skills- unless you run with a good/rebel medic of course.

I chose to stay with AMR, as many of you did pose good advice, despite the misunderstanding of my point.

I really do just like being able to take a patient, find what is wrong, and fix it. Obviously there are medical issues that are not in my scope to fix, and that is a different story, and obviously a paramedic needs to be involved. But it is nice to fix those that I can. I don't want the "all-star or hero" title- I just want to do a job that highly intrigues me. I have no problem with EMT and BLS skills. I do have a problem with AMR not allowing you to utilize those skills to their full potential. However, eventually I plan on being a paramedic. And you're right- it would be nice to have AMR when/if the time comes.
 
When working as a basic you are part if a team. Sure there are some guys out there who don't want help, but you can always flood the line, check BGLs, prep the intubation kit, hook up the 12-lead or whatever to help your partner out. Yes it could all get done by the medic, but good EMS is a team sport. And everywhere I've ever worked the medic IS in charge.

Also, your the new guy. I wouldn't let some body I've never met before bend their scope while I'm in charge. Maybe once I got to know you...but even then no one likes a cowboy. I've had partners let me do stuff but it was always a discussion not just a unilateral decision on my part.

Sounds like you need to calm down a little and slow yourself down. EMS is a job just like any other and you need to recognize your role. Do your job, go to medic school. Then you can slam all the D50 you want.
 
I simply let my basic carry 99% of the kit. They are rewarded by being able to glimpse the soles of our patient's feet and moving them. Later, they are blessed by being trusted to apply healing stickers and oxygen tubing. That is, I feel, an appropriate use of their semester of "school" /sarcasm.

Honestly, dude, most of this job is BLS and interactions with others.
 
Everyone starts as a basic and wants to use their "skills" learned in EMT school. Unfortunately these ideologies are quickly crushed by renal roundup dialysis calls and IFT with your first BLS job. It sucks. But use this energy to better yourself as a provider and continue your education. The best "skill" an EMT can have is a solid assessment. Stand by that 100%. If you have strong assessment skills as a EMT when you go to medic school you will have a head start. For example know your lung sounds, I can't tell you how many emts don't listen/know lungs sounds. If you know your lung sounds and pt's presentation, choosing which treatment algorhythm to use as a medic will be easier. The "cool" cowboy medicine will be there as a medic, but not often. It's more of the finer details and subtle treatments that you'll see and will be making more of a difference. Wouldn't burn any bridges yet
 
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