Well, to go back to the beginning of this, I was not trying to argue any of what you said was wrong, I was simply trying to say that just because one area does things a certain way does not mean that the same practices are followed everywhere. Thats one of the reasons why I like this forum, we get to hear about everyone's own experiences and different working environments. I value everyone's opinion and like hearing the different views. As we all know, we don't always agree on issues but thats what makes America great is'nt it? We have the freedom to come to a forum such as this and vocie our opinions!
I am merely trying to make you aware that there are NATIONAL laws, regulations, rules and whatever that a hospital must abide by. EMS does not always have that type of oversight to answer to.
I do want to say I can't agree with your opinions of people with less education than you. You talk about people as if they are nothing until they have achieved what you have. Maybe that's not the case and I am sounding too harsh, but its just the way you come off which is why people will view you as egotistical. I just think that yes, knowing peoples limitations within their position is very important. However, just because someone is a "tech" does not mean they cannot learn from experience and grow within the position. Believe me, I hear your argument and know people that you probably have in mind. Sure, they exist. But to say that you are only as strong as your weakest link, to me that does not apply to the scenario. The team leader working a code can be a MD with 40 years experience with every cert in the world under his belt, but if he is not effective in the position for any number of reasons he becomes the weakest link. An over-eager tech who does everything his postiion requires to 110% of his ability is not.
And your job classification will still be a tech. We have phlebotomists that haven't missed a vein or artery in 20 years, but they are still a "tech".
You still are hung up on "certs" as a measurement of worth. Gee whiz a doctor can have 12 years of college, a residency and a couple of fellowships, yet, you still look only at a "cert".
Yes, there are physicians who are considered weak links by their peers. That is why hospitals have professional peer review boards.
Honestly in my experience if someone is as cocky as you are (dont take that the wrong way, you must be able to admit you are a little, which is ok
then they usually do have the snuff to back it up and are good people to team up with and learn from. I am not downplaying education by any means,
constantly improving certification levels and learning from any means possible including this website is certainly what anyone in the profession would expect from a worthy professional. I just get the impression from you that
unless people aspire to be a MD some day and work to get there they are not worthy of being called a professional. I just have a different take on it I guess. I feel we are all part of an intricate team and each person holds an vital role within that team.
Each person should stive to be the best they can at that role. Just because someone doesn't have as many letters as I do after their name, does not make me better than them. I might be able to perform more procedures and sure have more education, but without the other persons help I am nowhere. We all work together towards the same goals, just play different roles to get there.
Improving cert levels should be accomplished through improving solid education coupled with sound clinical experience. Unfortunately EMS has gotten "cert happy" and apply the label to every little weekend course to view as an accomplishment.
There is a difference between being an asset as a team member and also being a licensed healthcare provider who is considered to have achieved professional status through education and licensure.
I am not down playing the role of the ER Tech, CNA or Phlebotomist. They are very valuable team members. But, they also should know what is viewed as a professional in healthcare and why. If recognition was solely based on hard work, there are many CNAs and ER techs that I would put up for an honorary doctorate.
I can use RNs as an example. When they were diploma educated, they were viewed very differently than they are now with their degree status.
In a professional setting for most healthcare professions today, there is a minimal entry level for education to be considered a professional in that profession.
I can now use Respiratory Therapy as an example. The profession doesn't care how well you can intubate or put in arterial lines if you are still at a "tech" level and have not increased your education to become Registered (RRT). The profession has moved on and left you behind. If you do not have at the very minimum of an Associates degree, it doesn't matter how much you promise to work really, really hard and will get all the certs such as ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc...you do not meet the minimum requirements for the profession and some hospitals may not allow you to work in critical care or even as a tank jockey.
If you think that sounds harsh, you should listen to the other professions within the hospital. PT has moved on to a doctorate and the other Therapists have no less than Bachelors. Masters is the preferred degree for entry. They may have "assistants" who have a mere Associates degree but these assistants may need to prove they are studying toward a higher level. This is why Respiratory Therapy is trying to rapidly advance to a Bachelors as entry level because RT with a mere Associates degree is also considered the weakest link of the therapies especially if your work for a specialized physical rehab unit. It also doesn't matter that I also have a Masters degree because that still does not change the fact that entry level is still only an Associates. If the whole RT department has at least a Bachelors or Masters, then maybe the RRTs will be viewed differently. Nursing is also feeling the shift to higher education when they notice their allied health and new grad RNs are entering the work force with no less than a Bachelors degree.
Times are changing as medicine progresses. EMS should have realized this 25 years ago. They did recognize this in the 1970s but then took the same stance you have on certs and hard work to get them recognition in the world of health care and medicine.
I am an advocate for EMS providers to move up the professional healthcare ladder. I will not refrain from using harshness to get my points across for the need of a solid education especially when I just hear more excuses.
