sweens8403 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Hey guys, right now i'm in the middle of paramedic school. Things are going well, my grades are still all A's. Nonetheless I'm having a little bit of a problem. As a paramedic the level of responsibility and therefore liability increases exponentially from that required of me as an EMT. Frankly with the more invasive procedures medics can perform (primarily I'm concerned about the pharmacological aspect) there are more ways I can get myself into a bind and (God forbid) end up hurting a patient of mine. If I were to either withdraw or not pass the class, there are plenty of fire departments that don't require a medic license. The medic license just gives me more options. On the other hand ALS departments (those requiring medics) will probably pay better. I'm trying to plan for the future; building a career with which I can support the family I hope to have someday, saving to buy a house, etc. To others in the medical field: Am I just freaking out? Or is this a period of responsible consideration that many good medical personnel go through? I love working as a Firefighter/EMT, so I don't want to go into any other field. I would appreciate your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 [quote name='sweens8403' post='1768222' date='Feb 1 2009, 01:06 AM']Hey guys, right now i'm in the middle of paramedic school. Things are going well, my grades are still all A's. Nonetheless I'm having a little bit of a problem. As a paramedic the level of responsibility and therefore liability increases exponentially from that required of me as an EMT. Frankly with the more invasive procedures medics can perform (primarily I'm concerned about the pharmacological aspect) there are more ways I can get myself into a bind and (God forbid) end up hurting a patient of mine. If I were to either withdraw or not pass the class, there are plenty of fire departments that don't require a medic license. The medic license just gives me more options. On the other hand ALS departments (those requiring medics) will probably pay better. I'm trying to plan for the future; building a career with which I can support the family I hope to have someday, saving to buy a house, etc. To others in the medical field: Am I just freaking out? Or is this a period of responsible consideration that many good medical personnel go through? I love working as a Firefighter/EMT, so I don't want to go into any other field. I would appreciate your thoughts.[/quote] Well, you may be a Bush guy but nonetheless I'd trust ya to save me and not kill me, for what it's worh good luck on your tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweens8403 Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 thank ya sir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 One of my older brothers is a doctor. He told me once that after he lost his first patient as an intern, one of the attending physicians told him to get used to it because every time they forget their human and think they are God, God lets them know differently. You can't go into any profession trying not to make a mistake. When baseball pitchers try to make every pitch perfectly, they overthrow, and balls tend to end up in the left field bleachers. All you can do is learn everything you can, take every opportunity for extra training or continuing education, and trust God. Having more options is always a good idea in the coming hard times, especially if you want to have a family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the lords sheep Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Always say a prayer that God's will be done in you and through you before you go on a shift, and know that sometimes people who you work with will die. But many, MANY more will be blessed because of your knowledge and your commitment to helping them live. God will bless your work. In Christ, Lauren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 If you stick with your protocols, it shouldn't be an issue. I'm unsure by the tone of your post, but there seems to be a hint of seeking employ in other fire departments. Is that the case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddington Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Get him a job Winchester. And me. And we can have our own sit-com. Instead of 'Scrubs' it'll be called whatever those big, heavy thingies are called. Pac-Meg can drive the truck. And after she saves our behinds, we'll stop making sexist remarks to her. Until the next episode when we're jerks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Therese Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 EVeryone in the medical profession kills a patient now and again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweens8403 Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 (edited) Right now I work as a paid-on-call firefighter/emt for Farmington Hills Fire which is sort of a part time job, the hours vary wildly. Once I finished paramedic training and got my license there's no guarantee I would be given a full time position there. So no matter what I'll be putting out resume's to other departments. I'm more concerned here with the added responsibilities of a higher level of medical licensure than where it is I do them, if that helps. Edited February 1, 2009 by sweens8403 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 [quote name='sweens8403' post='1768561' date='Feb 1 2009, 02:09 PM']Right now I work as a paid-on-call firefighter/emt for Farmington Hills Fire which is sort of a part time job, the hours vary wildly. Once I finished paramedic training and got my license there's no guarantee I would be given a full time position there. So no matter what I'll be putting out resume's to other departments. I'm more concerned here with the added responsibilities of a higher level of medical licensure than where it is I do them, if that helps.[/quote] I had assumed you were with Detroit, so I was curious about your talking about other departments. We've had people go through the academy (which means you've got the job) then find a job with another department, and I have a [i]strong [/i]opinion about that. Most of the people you really have a chance of screwing up with will already be dead--they won't get better without your intervention. Really, the faster you get them to the hospital, the quicker they're off your hands so any dying or bleeding puking etcetera can occur in the hospital and not in your nice clean ambulance. Sorry, I was born without compassion. Houston's hiring three classes this year. Once you're in, you're in and you get paid to go through the academy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
add Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 [quote name='Winchester' post='1768612' date='Feb 1 2009, 04:16 PM']Sorry, I was born without compassion.[/quote] The dickens you say. I find that hard to believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweens8403 Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Winchester' post='1768612' date='Feb 1 2009, 04:16 PM']I had assumed you were with Detroit, so I was curious about your talking about other departments. We've had people go through the academy (which means you've got the job) then find a job with another department, and I have a [i]strong [/i]opinion about that.[/quote] It's just easier to say Detroit since most people know where that is as opposed to Farmington Hills. Farmington Hills is in the suburbs of Detroit. Frankly I'd rather stay with this same department, I already know everybody including the administrative staff and how they want things to operate. It just depends if they're hiring full timers once I'm done with school. Currently they're tossing around the idea of laying folks off. I have thought about sticking with the paid-on-call program and just picking up a job at a local private EMS company until a full time spot opens up on my department. That way I could stay here [i]and[/i] pick up some road experience as a medic. Winchester are you an officer of some sort? Just curious. Thank y'all for your input on this, it really helped out. I'm going to stick with the paramedic training. But yes Winchester, I was hired in Jan 2006. I went through FHFD's academy which included MFR, Firefighter I & II, Hazmat Operations, Apparatus Driving & Pumping, and EMT-Basic. I finished the program and recieved my badge in July 2007. I'd rather not leave if I have the choice. Edited February 1, 2009 by sweens8403 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Private EMS will eat your soul. Start a company and employ willing goons. They will enjoy wearing pants with the scissors and lights in the little pockets and you will enjoy gobs of cash. I never did go to private EMS as a side job and I'm glad I didn't, in retrospect. At one time, I thought I would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweens8403 Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='Winchester' post='1768846' date='Feb 1 2009, 08:12 PM']Private EMS will eat your soul.[/quote] LOL! Well, I could get road experience as POC on my dept too once I get the Deputy Chief's blessing. Maybe I'll get a second job at Home Depot or McDonald's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='sweens8403' post='1768860' date='Feb 1 2009, 07:34 PM']LOL! Well, I could get road experience as POC on my dept too once I get the Deputy Chief's blessing. Maybe I'll get a second job at Home Depot or McDonald's. [/quote]Get a second job clubbing baby seals--still better and more fulfilling than private EMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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