So this did NOT happen to me. This happened to a friend, who works for an agency that I am in no way associated with. His name will be “Cliff” for this story.
Cliff, an EMT-Intermediate arrived for one of his first probie shifts. He was on as a third with a full time paramedic and a firefighter EMT-Basic. The medic, Steve was welcoming and had a great attiutide. The firefighter EMT-B, Brad asked Cliff what his last job was. When he replied, Brad asked if his old job would have him back after he failed this job and got fired. I think we can all agree this was a shitty thing to say to a new employee. The morning carries on as such and the medic finally gets a call.
Medic 5 is dispatched for a chest pain. The crew arrived and Cliff starts his assessment. It is obvious the patient is having a cardiac event. ST elevation in lead V2-4. The patient is taken to the medic and Cliff starts to set up for an IV. Brad, right as Cliff brings the needle to the patient’s arm shouts, “Hey, have you ever even done an IV before?!” Cliff ignores the comment and sinks the IV. He then hands the patient ASA and instructs the patient to chew. Brad asks if Cliff has ever given ASA before.” Cliff gives the patient nitro, again Brad asks aloud if Cliff has ever given nitro before. Cliff draws up morphine, again, Brad asks aloud if Cliff has ever given morphine before. This is all done in front of a patient who is having an active heart attack.
I understand it’s kind of tradition to bust on the new guy. But to second guess a caregiver infront of any patient, especially a critical patient is unacceptable. Not only is this an unprofessional act, but it angers me that someone in my profession would dare to be so reckless. A patient who is having a heart attack has enough to worry about with out an unprofessional, moron EMT-Basic second guessing every move the ALS provider makes. Cliff did not go to the acting officer with this issue. This story angered me to no end. Had it been me, I am sure I would be out of a job, as I am sure I would have walked in to the chiefs office and gone on a screaming rant. It sickens me that a dip shit EMT can be allowed to act like this. Not only is this bad for the patient, who has enough to worry about, like will I live through this, will I ever see my family again and so on; this is horrible for our profession.
So if for a moment I can talk to this waste of space, and anyone else who would ever do something so reckless….. GET THE HELL OUT OF MY PROFESSION! If I ever see something like this happen infront of me, I will see to it you lose your certification, and will never be able to practice health care! What’s that? You want to be a firefighter and not an EMT? Well guess what Jack, EMS is 80% or more of your call volume, and it is what pays the bills. So go work in fast food with your shit attitude!
