the 100% directionless thread
- Thread starter KEVD18
- Start date
CALEMT
The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
- 4,541
- 3,370
- 113
Reminiscent of a monologue from Apocalypse Now.
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
- 12,191
- 6,954
- 113
I am out of the fly car today. No partner drama though. It was one of my EMT recruits, so she's trained exactly the way I like my BLS partner to work.
Already run some ALS and had the narcs open. And FWIW, Toradol is the stuff for kidney stones.
The fun never ends.
Already run some ALS and had the narcs open. And FWIW, Toradol is the stuff for kidney stones.
The fun never ends.
VentMonkey
Family Guy
- 5,745
- 5,070
- 113
Do you volunteer to run on a unit over the weekends, or is it built into your work week?
Also, I often (half) joke that if my company ever went to single provider fly car paramedics in a more clinical oversight role vs. pure supervision, I’d come off of the helicopter.
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
- 12,191
- 6,954
- 113
We’re down a couple of medics, so I volunteered to push a truck today. It’s been fun, actually. We’ve run 7 calls and I’m having a blast just being a truck medic.
My schedule is changing, I’m going to work 4 days one week and three the next for a while. I’m curious to see how long that’s going to last.
We’re in the process of moving all of our medics off an ambulance and into fly cars, so I’m going to move my office from the central admin building to the education facility, where we also run a truck. I will cover the ALS in a squad in that district during the day when I’m there.
My schedule is changing, I’m going to work 4 days one week and three the next for a while. I’m curious to see how long that’s going to last.
We’re in the process of moving all of our medics off an ambulance and into fly cars, so I’m going to move my office from the central admin building to the education facility, where we also run a truck. I will cover the ALS in a squad in that district during the day when I’m there.
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
- 4,997
- 1,462
- 113
In all seriousness I have concluded (and been told) that I’m not at an EMS agency, I’m at a patient transport service that happens to offer EMS. There is a huge and significant difference between those w
That is very, very interesting. How many fly car medics are y’all running now?
That is very, very interesting. How many fly car medics are y’all running now?
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
- 4,997
- 1,462
- 113
I reckon I skipped straight to the cutting edge of the pyramid there. Anyone can run a complex 911 call or CCT transfer, but only the few can take a pre-scheduled stretcher call or wheelchair discharge. I am the elite. The one you call for your needs. I’m like a tow truck for people. It really puts it in perspective that I am expected to take poly-pharm CCT + “vent” transfers and run complex 911 calls alone, but then drop it all and deal with comprehensive “client transport services”. Guess which one there is formal training on...
On a serious note, I’m flying out to CA next week for my grandfather, who is getting out of rehab after a broken leg. Any advice for elder-care planning? He’s not really able to live alone safely anymore.
On a serious note, I’m flying out to CA next week for my grandfather, who is getting out of rehab after a broken leg. Any advice for elder-care planning? He’s not really able to live alone safely anymore.
Last edited:
- 6,368
- 812
- 113
I think Manatee County has gone to this. In addition to the Community Paramedics, they have two Tahoes with single medics in them assisting with calls.
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
- 12,191
- 6,954
- 113
The plan is three. Honestly, We will probably still have a medic on a truck occasionally. We do have some medics in our employ that just aren’t quite ready to staff a fly car by themselves.
I feel like all the California peeps should have an EMLifeExpo. I'd be down to join.
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
- 4,997
- 1,462
- 113
VentMonkey
Family Guy
- 5,745
- 5,070
- 113
I hear wheelchair vans come in handy...
Ok, but seriously, I hope your grandad is ok.
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
- 4,997
- 1,462
- 113
He’s too frail to safely live on his own. He needs a wheelchair van medic.
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
- 12,191
- 6,954
- 113
"wheelie Medic"
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
- 4,997
- 1,462
- 113
That sounds way too cool.
In all seriousness I really don’t like this feeling. My ego is in tatters and I feel like I am slowly losing the qualities of a good emergency paramedic. I know the answer is a different and better job, but life is in the way and I’m trying to make it a good move, not a flailing one. So I fight hard to keep the skills, the competencies and the passion alive, like a little campfire in the Arctic winter. Hopefully this next few weeks opens up some new routes WRT where I’m headed, or at least clarifies existing options.
@NomadicMedic do you have wheelchair critical care medic strike teams? Because that’s some next-level stuff. Top of the food chain.
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
- 4,997
- 1,462
- 113
Took a cardiac failure transfer (CCT) from here to Big Good Hospital 1.5 hours away, alone, on a dobutamine drip. Now, I know what dobutamine is and the basics of how to use it, but that’s because I’m an EMS weeb who studies extra and does things like classes and self study and stuff. It is not an exaggeration to say that I have had more formal education on the wheelchair van (1 hour) than on critical care from this job or the one before it. (Everything worked out fine, but I am constantly impressed by the assumption that paramedics are ready and knowledgeable with things they’re not trained on.)
I now understand exactly why CA and some other states limit what calls paramedics can tech so aggressively...we are systemically unprepared.
I now understand exactly why CA and some other states limit what calls paramedics can tech so aggressively...we are systemically unprepared.
VentMonkey
Family Guy
- 5,745
- 5,070
- 113
Seriously man, good luck. But you have to stop identifying yourself solely based off of your credentials and schooling.
That ain’t living in my book. And I’d reckon (Ha! I dabble in Texan) others would agree.
That ain’t living in my book. And I’d reckon (Ha! I dabble in Texan) others would agree.
This is part of what keeps me significantly happier where I work. I'm in the same boat as everyone else when it comes to disliking/trusting management, and nothing pisses me off more than taking an out of town trip for some VA transfer, but I'm much happier overall than many.
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
- 4,997
- 1,462
- 113
I really don’t identify based off of what I do. I’m just frustrated that I put on golden handcuffs, am at a job that doesn’t appreciate me or my talents, and that has a skewed work/life balance. I’m not really that bothered by having to drive the van occasionally, I’m bothered by the fact that I’m letting golden handcuffs get in the way of what I really want to be doing and letting a job I’m “meh” about grow like cancer into my time.
I’m home, about to go to the gym and work out, and I’m prepping for our CA trip this week and all that comes with it. Next move is going to be to somewhere we both like, where we can actually do things and where life isn’t about work, and to jobs we really enjoy.