Ask A Medic

They call for an ambulance for way worse things than vomitting.... Since an ambulance ride is only $80, people who are lonely sometimes call...

We "respond" for all sorts of different reasons. Most are legit, but some make you say to your partner, "0300 wakeup for that? I'm quitting".

 

A ambulance bill here is around $800. Do you guys get paid decent up there? How do your shifts run?

 

so where do all you socal ems cool kids hang out in these parts

 

Don't know, I'm on the other coast

 

In the province of BC, where I work, no. I'm considered "part-time" even though I work more shifts than a "full-time" employee. We have several different shifts and shift patterns. Our shifts range from Alpha to Fox as well as a Kilo and Juliet. Fox and Kilo are "part-timer" shifts. They can be either 10hr days/14hr nights, 14/10 or 12/12 (it's up to the station and the crew that works there to decide, really).

A "Fox" shift- $11/hr standby. You are required to be in uniform, at the station and ready to respond within 90 seconds. While on a call you get paid your full wage (which isn't anything spectacular)

A Kilo shift- $2/hr on-call. Not required to be at the station, or in uniform. This shift can be worked from at the station or at home, granted you're rolling within 14 minutes. When on a call, you get paid your full wage. Kilo call outs, no matter the length, you get paid a minimum of 4 hours. If they page you out for a call, and before you get to the station to roll, they page again and cancel you then that's 4 hours pay.

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo are staffed by "full-timers". They all have different shift patterns, and all get paid their full wage to be at the station, in uniform ready to respond within 90 seconds- the same requirements as someone working a Fox shift.

Part-timers can make their own schedule, pretty much. We make ourselves available for shifts for the next month, (required minimum of 8 to keep your seniority) and you're put on the schedule. Since I live an hour from my station, I make myself available for blocks of shifts. My blocks will start at 1800 for a 14hr night on Monday, and I'll be off at 1800 Friday after a 10 hour day. I work 28-32 shifts per month. Full-timers work 16. We aren't as busy, but we easily can be on some days.

We don't get benefits until we've been in the service for 7 years. I could go on and on and on, but I will leave it there.

What I will say, is that I may end up joining Krazie, next door in the near future.

 

Heard this more than a few times now.

My dad was a medic for a good amount of time. Said the worst thing that happened to him was he got shot at.

 

It was a rough shift....stayed up too late on TW messing with the canadians....lol

 

Yeah it's crazy what the EMS guys get paid as compared to doctors. I remember when I first did my EMT-B and they told us we'd be lucky to make $9/hr on a private ambulance service, all I could think was "Good God .. these people have our lives in their hands day in day out. And that's what we fucking pay them?!" EMT-I and paramedics obviously make more, but still not nearly enough for the shit they deal with.

As for the worst calls, yeah getting shot at would suck. Some idiots will shoot at anything in a uniform. Have heard horror stories about massive maggot filled bedsores .. that would be one of the worst calls for me. Just the thought of the smell turns my stomach.

 

X2

 

No. We're selfish selfish pricks. If you really knew...

I do this because I like to drive fast, and like a typical male, like seeing body parts in ways they should never be contorted.

The only caveat is that I think it sucks to have that happen to someone so I want to help in whatever meager way I can. (Generally by telling them I've seen worse and to keep huffing on that Laughing Gas)

4 on, 4 off. 2 picnics, 2 sleep overs. 12 hr shifts. Starting wage here is $24/hr for EMTs and $28/hr for Paramedics.

Dooo eeeeeet!

 

how long does it take to heal a bruised bone?
its above my ankle, and i run everyday. i know the best way to get rid of it is to lay off the running but i cant, any other way i can get it to go away?

 

Invent a time machine.


Go back in time.


Attempt to stop self from doing it.



Create paradox.

 

I wonder how long it will be until someone posts in here,
"My dad is having chest pain, he's really pale and he's sweating a lot. He just threw up but I think it was because of the pain. I don't know. He said hes fine, and not to phone an ambulance. Just checking with you guys to see if it's a pulled muscle or something? Should I phone 911?

 

Got my NREMT, but can't get a job on an ambulance or the hospital...
any advice? especially in AZ?
thanks.

 

What is the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?

 

Protocols, procedures and paychecks.

Edit: If this is a question for Krazie, EMT is basic life support which deals with trauma, general unwellness etc, can start IV's and give a few drugs. Paramedic is advanced life support which deals more with cardiac and respiratory issues, can give a lot more drugs, 12-leads, pacing, intubation, needle decompressions etc.

He'll have to tell you though. I'm next door in BC and everything is different.

 

Besides the fact that you can get EMT certified in one semester in college and a 2-year Paramedic class, EMTs are usually not allowed to break the skin. They usually give first-aid and transport to hospitals.

I used to volunteer at LACFD in Watts and 99% of the calls were medical. And by medical.. I mean usually BS. We used to get the most calls on the weekends when dr. offices were closed. One time we responded to a call at 4:00 am on a Monday morning to a lady who had a difficult time breathing. We asked her how long it has been happening and she responded.."all my life." She was 51 years old..

 

Besides the fact that you can get EMT certified in one semester in college and a Paramedic Cert is a 2-year class, EMTs are usually not allowed to break the skin. They usually give first-aid and transport to hospitals.

I used to volunteer at LACFD in Watts and 99% of the calls were medical. And by medical.. I mean usually BS. We used to get the most calls on the weekends when dr. offices were closed. One time we responded to a call at 4:00 am on a Monday morning to a lady who had a difficult time breathing. We asked her how long it has been happening and she responded.."all my life." She was 51 years old..

 

wow here in CT i thin EMTs start around $14 and Medics around $24, im an EMT but dont use it, Im an RN now in an ER, we start at $32