Low wages chase away EMTs

Status
Not open for further replies.
Again, it's not like EMT-Bs can either be utilized as a primary caregiver or not utilized at all. I am all for medic (or, preferrably, physician) at least assessing each patient, but why not have a free extra pair of hands? I already gave examples of European systems that use lower level providers to supplement ALS providers.
I have described our organization earlier; how would our patient care improve if we stop doing stand-bys, have one person on the back of the truck instead of two, not having additional trucks respond to MCIs, etc.?
 
Foxbat said:
I have some of these courses (chem, math, etc.) and planning to take A&P before graduation, although my degree is not EMS related (unless I decide to go for a minor in bioengineering... still undecided on that). What is your point?
Click to expand...

My point is that anyone who thinks that the EMT-B level provides or requires enough education has no clue what they're talking about. The science background for EMT-B is rivaled by high school science. We ("we" being "EMT-Bs) should have a working understanding of anatomy and physiology AND how our interventions and diagnostic tools work. Yes. we should know how, for example, action potentials are created. We should know how blood pressure is regulated in the body. Anyone who's in charge of patient care (of which EMT-Bs fall into this group) should know these. Anyone who thinks that anything but an extremely simplistic idea of anatomy and physiology can be taught in 2 hours (2 hours per NHTSA curriculum) has never taken an anatomy and physiology course.

Now, if volunteers are complaining about the time commitment to become an EMT-P, I'm fairly certain that they are going to complain about being required to have a true science background before they are taught to practice prehospital medicine.

Foxbat said:
Again, it's not like EMT-Bs can either be utilized as a primary caregiver or not utilized at all. I am all for medic (or, preferrably, physician) at least assessing each patient, but why not have a free extra pair of hands? I already gave examples of European systems that use lower level providers to supplement ALS providers.
I have described our organization earlier; how would our patient care improve if we stop doing stand-bys, have one person on the back of the truck instead of two, not having additional trucks respond to MCIs, etc.?
Click to expand...

Strange, I've never once had a paramedic show up before me on a call going to the emergency room. The vast majority of the patients I've transported have had me, an EMT-B (or my partner), as the primary care giver on the call. Of course if you require all ambulances to have EMT-Ps on board, then why have EMT-Bs to begin with except as a first responsers? We really are not required or given the education required to be making the decisions that we make day in and day out.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
JPINFV said:
Of course if you require all ambulances to have EMT-Ps on board, then why have EMT-Bs to begin with except as a first responsers? We really are not required or given the education required to be making the decisions that we make day in and day out.
Click to expand...
Why not have an EMT-B as an extra pair of hands to assist medic? Let me ask again, how will our patient care improve if we have just a medic in the back of the truck, rather than medic and basic?
 
reaper said:
So how will you feel if 20 people show up to volunteer as park rangers? I mean come on, it can't be that hard a job, I could learn it in a few days!;)
Click to expand...
In my part of the world Park Rangers have more education than a EMT. The job of Park Ranger requires you to do law enforcement, natural resource management, fire fighting. Part of the problem is EMS training is too short. EMT should be between 6 months and a year and paramedic should be a 4 yr degree program.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Desert Ranger said:
huh? So are you saying people with quals like mine are not professionals? I am not a volunteer but I have other duties besides EMS
Click to expand...

You are a Park Ranger, no?
You are a LEO, correct?

Few and far between is it that you will see combo depts like Fire/LEO, but how many areas is EMS the little red headed step child of Fire, where there are brand new fire apparatus, well trained, and highly paid FFs, LEOs have new cars, are well paid, and highly trained, but EMS is by a third service provider, the ambulances are decrepit and old, the personnel are burnt out, tired, and underpaid?

I absolutely love it when I am working, and there is a well trained LEO who had beat me on scene, has a good set of vitals, the proper airway for his training, a decent PmHx and med list ready for me. I think that all LEOs and FFs should be, at a minimum a MFR.
But EMS personnel needs to have their training expanded, so that we understand more then what we do.
When you can go to school for 120 hrs, and expect to be treated, and paid equal as a FF who has gone to the academy for 3 months every day, then has an extensive 6mo-1yr of on the job training, you are out of your mind.
 
No need to explain as this thread is now closed.

Play nice, people.

signadmin1.gif
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top