jamie83002
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Hi, my name is Jamie, I'm a paramedic in SC and was recently hired as a flight medic. I've been writing blogs on myspace (www.myspace.com/jamie83002)that are ems related and have had such a huge response from my latest one I wanted to post it here as well. I hope you enjoy and I'd love to hear your responses to it.
The definition of SYSTEM
I was inspired by some recent events to vent again…imagine that, right? Well here I go on my soapbox again!
First, I utilized freedictionary.com to get you all the definition of system:
sys•tem .. n.
1. A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole.
2. A functionally related group of elements, especially:
a. The human body regarded as a functional physiological unit.
b. An organism as a whole, especially with regard to its vital processes or functions.
c. A group of physiologically or anatomically complementary organs or parts: the nervous system; the skeletal system.
d. A group of interacting mechanical or electrical components.
e. A network of structures and channels, as for communication, travel, or distribution.
f. A network of related computer software, hardware, and data transmission devices.
3. An organized set of interrelated ideas or principles.
4. A social, economic, or political organizational form.
5. A naturally occurring group of objects or phenomena: the solar system.
6. A set of objects or phenomena grouped together for classification or analysis.
7. A condition of harmonious, orderly interaction.
8. An organized and coordinated method; a procedure. See Synonyms at method.
9. The prevailing social order; the establishment. Used with the: You can't beat the system.
Now with that clarified, healthcare, as a whole is a system. We have all talked about EMS systems, Trauma systems, hospital systems, etc… After some recent events and some further inspiration from an awesome group of professionals at 4Medics (check out their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/4medicsllc) I really think that a lot of people that work in healthcare don't have a full understanding of what a system is. We tend to value the importance of ones job by the role that they play in the system as a whole. We judge importance by certification levels and assume one role is more important than the other. The fact of the matter is NO ONE ROLE WORKS EFFICIENTLY WITHOUT THE OTHER. No matter if you're a physician, a nurse, a street medic, a flight medic, an EMT, or a dispatcher; and no matter if you work for a hospital, an emergency service, or a convalescent transport service, one role is just as important as another to make the SYSTEM work. If you think about it logically, it makes perfect sense.
Could I do my job as a paramedic without an EMT? Realistically, I could probably treat a critical patient, transport, and get a patient to an ER all by myself, but would I be able to do my job efficiently and provide good patient care? Absolutely not! The EMT, EMT-I, Paramedics, Supervisors, and Administration all have equal roles in the system. They all have different roles to play but no one is more important than the other. I cannot stand to hear someone say, "I'm just a basic EMT." There is nothing easy or simple about what they do! They get the title basic because the skills we are taught in EMT school are the most important; they are the foundation for what we do! Without the basics no one would live and the advanced care, x-rays, CT scans, lab work, and surgeries would be useless. We have to stop judging the importance of a persons role in the system by their job title…it is simply ridiculous.
I have learned over time that the nurses and physicians in the ER, the surgeons in the OR, or the medics that have been doing this longer than I have and know a lot more than I do are no more important than I am. With that being said, I am no better than the brand new, green paramedic, the EMT or EMT-I, the dispatcher, or the person that does the billing for the service in which I work. We have all chosen different roles in the system, but we are all equals. It takes us all to make it work. We all have different levels of experience and different reasons for doing what we do. No matter what the reason, financial, emotional, or age the role you have chosen to play is an important one!
My biggest pet peeve in this career field is a paramedic that expects to be seen as having a more important role in the system than his co-workers…and that goes for system wide, not just service wide. They are usually the ones that complain about running calls that they feel are "beneath them". The calls that they decide were not a true emergency and did not require their level of expertise. You know when you wake up in the morning and put your uniform on what role you will be playing in the system that day. Don't complain about it and don't insult your co-workers by belittling them when it is a true emergency Don't treat them as if their role in the emergency isn't just as important as yours because it is. Remember where you came from, you were in their shoes at some point. Many of them look forward to playing the role of paramedic in the future and should be able to look at you as a positive role model that is there to guide them through their journey. Many of them are fresh out of school and have not yet had the opportunity to experience the things that you have. You should be an educator, not necessarily in a class room, but you have already experienced playing the role of "basic" or "green paramedic". You have made your mistakes and learned from them and have the knowledge and experience to guide others into a successful career, if you go about it the right way. Lead by example, be an educator, and be a positive role model.
Finally, for everyone out there that has felt belittled by another person in the healthcare system, keep this in mind:
The true professionals in this business will not judge you by your position, certification, or job title; and not by your level of experience, mistakes you have made, or how old you are.
A true professional will make their impression of you based on your level of professionalism, your willingness to learn, your willingness to educate and guide others in the right direction by serving as a positive role model, and most of all your passion for the job and understanding of the system as a whole.
Always keep in mind that the way your carry yourself as a professional represents the system as a whole, that's right, those of you that think you are "just a basic" represent all of the physicians, nurses, medics, other EMT's, administrators, dispatchers, billing clerks, etc…. in the health care system nationwide!
James Compton EMT-P
The definition of SYSTEM
I was inspired by some recent events to vent again…imagine that, right? Well here I go on my soapbox again!
First, I utilized freedictionary.com to get you all the definition of system:
sys•tem .. n.
1. A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole.
2. A functionally related group of elements, especially:
a. The human body regarded as a functional physiological unit.
b. An organism as a whole, especially with regard to its vital processes or functions.
c. A group of physiologically or anatomically complementary organs or parts: the nervous system; the skeletal system.
d. A group of interacting mechanical or electrical components.
e. A network of structures and channels, as for communication, travel, or distribution.
f. A network of related computer software, hardware, and data transmission devices.
3. An organized set of interrelated ideas or principles.
4. A social, economic, or political organizational form.
5. A naturally occurring group of objects or phenomena: the solar system.
6. A set of objects or phenomena grouped together for classification or analysis.
7. A condition of harmonious, orderly interaction.
8. An organized and coordinated method; a procedure. See Synonyms at method.
9. The prevailing social order; the establishment. Used with the: You can't beat the system.
Now with that clarified, healthcare, as a whole is a system. We have all talked about EMS systems, Trauma systems, hospital systems, etc… After some recent events and some further inspiration from an awesome group of professionals at 4Medics (check out their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/4medicsllc) I really think that a lot of people that work in healthcare don't have a full understanding of what a system is. We tend to value the importance of ones job by the role that they play in the system as a whole. We judge importance by certification levels and assume one role is more important than the other. The fact of the matter is NO ONE ROLE WORKS EFFICIENTLY WITHOUT THE OTHER. No matter if you're a physician, a nurse, a street medic, a flight medic, an EMT, or a dispatcher; and no matter if you work for a hospital, an emergency service, or a convalescent transport service, one role is just as important as another to make the SYSTEM work. If you think about it logically, it makes perfect sense.
Could I do my job as a paramedic without an EMT? Realistically, I could probably treat a critical patient, transport, and get a patient to an ER all by myself, but would I be able to do my job efficiently and provide good patient care? Absolutely not! The EMT, EMT-I, Paramedics, Supervisors, and Administration all have equal roles in the system. They all have different roles to play but no one is more important than the other. I cannot stand to hear someone say, "I'm just a basic EMT." There is nothing easy or simple about what they do! They get the title basic because the skills we are taught in EMT school are the most important; they are the foundation for what we do! Without the basics no one would live and the advanced care, x-rays, CT scans, lab work, and surgeries would be useless. We have to stop judging the importance of a persons role in the system by their job title…it is simply ridiculous.
I have learned over time that the nurses and physicians in the ER, the surgeons in the OR, or the medics that have been doing this longer than I have and know a lot more than I do are no more important than I am. With that being said, I am no better than the brand new, green paramedic, the EMT or EMT-I, the dispatcher, or the person that does the billing for the service in which I work. We have all chosen different roles in the system, but we are all equals. It takes us all to make it work. We all have different levels of experience and different reasons for doing what we do. No matter what the reason, financial, emotional, or age the role you have chosen to play is an important one!
My biggest pet peeve in this career field is a paramedic that expects to be seen as having a more important role in the system than his co-workers…and that goes for system wide, not just service wide. They are usually the ones that complain about running calls that they feel are "beneath them". The calls that they decide were not a true emergency and did not require their level of expertise. You know when you wake up in the morning and put your uniform on what role you will be playing in the system that day. Don't complain about it and don't insult your co-workers by belittling them when it is a true emergency Don't treat them as if their role in the emergency isn't just as important as yours because it is. Remember where you came from, you were in their shoes at some point. Many of them look forward to playing the role of paramedic in the future and should be able to look at you as a positive role model that is there to guide them through their journey. Many of them are fresh out of school and have not yet had the opportunity to experience the things that you have. You should be an educator, not necessarily in a class room, but you have already experienced playing the role of "basic" or "green paramedic". You have made your mistakes and learned from them and have the knowledge and experience to guide others into a successful career, if you go about it the right way. Lead by example, be an educator, and be a positive role model.
Finally, for everyone out there that has felt belittled by another person in the healthcare system, keep this in mind:
The true professionals in this business will not judge you by your position, certification, or job title; and not by your level of experience, mistakes you have made, or how old you are.
A true professional will make their impression of you based on your level of professionalism, your willingness to learn, your willingness to educate and guide others in the right direction by serving as a positive role model, and most of all your passion for the job and understanding of the system as a whole.
Always keep in mind that the way your carry yourself as a professional represents the system as a whole, that's right, those of you that think you are "just a basic" represent all of the physicians, nurses, medics, other EMT's, administrators, dispatchers, billing clerks, etc…. in the health care system nationwide!
James Compton EMT-P
