O I was fortunate enough to take part in an elite para-military training program that is taught by a very experienced ems team.
So you have probably realised by now that a few people have taken issue with this sentence. And a common question has been "What makes it elite?", to which I'd like to add, "Do you think EMS is paramilitary?", and "Why is this important?".
Giving you the benefit of the doubt, I'm assuming you're trying to tell us that you've had the benefit of a good training program, and that you don't realise that presenting yourself like this makes it seem like you think rather highly of yourself.
It was drilled into us the importance of having SOPs in place for many many scenarios including on-scene management- they have come up with these SOPs sadly out of many bad incidents of pt and EMS illness, injury and deaths.
needless to say, these "rules" are as good as gold for me and anyone who as been thru this training...
But now you're having to work with someone who hasn't trained in the same manner, and problems are arising. The question here is what are you trying to accomplish? Do you want to chance the organisational behaviour of this entire organisation so that everyone does things your way? Or do you just want to fix the problem with this individual partner?
Our first call (I'm the tech) we get on scene, he runs into the house-no communication with me, no equipment,
Well this is an issue, right? He should be helping you carry the kits in, if you're running the show. He shouldn't just run in by himself. So how's about, talking to him and saying "Hey man, I noticed on the last call you just ran into the house without any gear, and left me behind to carry the kits. I thought I was running the show? Next time, can you stay and help me carry the stuff in?".
]He cuts me off & starts interviewing her (while standing over her strattled).
So two problems. A major problem: he's interfering with your scene management and patient assessment by interrupting you. So let's try "Hey man, I couldn't help but notice on the last call, you kept on interrupting me? Would you mind letting me interview the patient next time?"
Secondary problem -- he's straddling the patient. It could be scarey for her. And there's a small chance he might accidentally step on her if he's clumsy. I'd probably let this slide now and deal with it on a later day, but... "Did you know you were straddling that little old lady during the last call? She looked a little excited, I think you livened up her day."
I send him for a LB & collar bag. I do my rapid exam, he comes back & you guessed it: Starts HIS rapid exam....
Ok. So this is a problem too. He's interrupting your assessment and scene management. How's about, "Hey, on the last call, when you came back from the truck, I noticed you did a physical examination on the patient. I'd already done this. Do you think next time you could just stand back and let me do my thing, until I ask you for help?".
I had to literally tell him (nicely) to step off.
Why?
I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm just thinking I might let him carry on doing it for a bit. Maybe give him the clipboard, let him sit in the back of the truck, write up the call, and drive to the hospital and go get a coffee.
at which point he backs up crosses his arms, laughs & says "okay boss".....we finally get transporting & hes on his phone-while responding @ about 75mph.
Ok, so you had some tension on scene. This is unprofessional, and it's likely that you contributed to it. Ask yourself, could you have dealt with this situation differently, so that the patient didn't have to witness this behaviour? I'm not saying you're at fault --- your partner sounds like an ***. Just that any time this sort of thing happens in public, everyone looks like an idiot. So it's often better to compromise a little, and address it afterwards.
I'm assuming you have an issue with him driving 75 mph (was this reasonable for the environment he was driving in?), and / or using his cell phone while driving (is this illegal where you are?). If so, maybe talk to him. "Hey, on that last call, it seemed like we were going a little fast, and you were using your cell. I got in a bad accident a couple of years back, and I get really scared when someone driving is using their cell. Any chance you could stop doing that?".
We proceed for the rest of the 24 to not talk out of mutual distain.
Sounds like fun. Did you get to repeat this call 20 times?
I understand being new, and I understand not wanting to rock the boat until you have an idea of who this guy's friends are, and how he's regarded within the organisation. But don't you think you could have talked about this without it going nuclear?
-I over heard him complaining that he's got more seniority & he's the "lead" on all traumas....& how our boss will be getting an e-mail over my actions:sad:.
Fine. So he's saying stuff about you behind your back. Not particularly nice behaviour. But then, aren't you eavesdropping, too?
His attitude sounds terrible, but really what happens if he sends the email to his boss. You get called into the office. What are you going to say? "Well it seemed like maybe there was a little friction between the two of us, but I'm surprised he chose to make a formal complaint, as he didn't bother to talk to me about any of this at the time. I think this situation could be avoided, and we wouldn't be wasting your time right now, if we'd just discussed this when it occurred. How's about <partner> and I go and get a coffee, and talk this over and see if we can't resolve things without anything formal being initiated?". Sounds good, right? Who's going to look stupid there? Hopefully no one.
Should I "go with the flow" of the half -a** private service, or try to teach them what I know to be a better way?
Probably neither. I would start with, from now on, talking respectfully to your partner after any call in which an issue like this comes up. I would try and make some friendships in the organisation, and avoid unnecessary confrontation. However, when the call get's messed up, you need to talk to your partner and sort things out.
I feel as though it will be said upon deaf ears with this know-it-all type bunch.
See, and this is a problem. You've had a bad experience with one partner? How has the whole service become a "know-it-all bunch?".
Have you considered the possibility that there are things that you are doing that are contributing to the situations you're finding yourself in?
You've been doing this for 8 years, right?` This cannot be the first time you've had some sort of conflict due to something that happened on a call.
goodmorning-how's things-wanna grab coffee?" -all that nice nice bs & was literally ignored.
