ER's that Hire Paramedics

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Permalink Reply by Earl Culvey on November 13, 2009 at 4:02pm

Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA

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Permalink Reply by Robert Sullivan on November 13, 2009 at 4:04pm

Many hospitals in Philadelphia do. I know University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital will. AI Dupont Childrens hospital in Wilmington, DE does also.

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Permalink Reply by Jolie Miller on November 13, 2009 at 4:33pm

Thanks Earl and Robert, out of curiosity what is the scope of practice for paramedics in the ER in PA? Is the pay respectable?

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Permalink Reply by blair4630 on November 13, 2009 at 4:47pm

The scope of practice is the same in the hospitals I know of. The pay I don't think is that great for medics that DON'T respond on calls.

Jolie Miller said:

Thanks Earl and Robert, out of curiosity what is the scope of practice for paramedics in the ER in PA? Is the pay respectable?

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Permalink Reply by Jolie Miller on November 13, 2009 at 5:23pm

The pay usually isn't very good for those who DO respond to calls either...

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Permalink Reply by Chance Gearheart on November 13, 2009 at 11:41pm

Um, in most hospitals, Paramedics are employed as transporters and ER techs. They start IVs, do blood draws, EKGs, take vital signs and assist nurses. That's it, no meds or invasive procedures. Very few hospitals allow paramedics to perform at their level of training. (I can count on my hand the ones I know of in Tennessee that allow an expanded scope of practice, even though Paramedics can function above the level of an RN)

Jolie Miller said:

Thanks Earl and Robert, out of curiosity what is the scope of practice for paramedics in the ER in PA? Is the pay respectable?

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Permalink Reply by Timothy Rossette on November 14, 2009 at 12:13am

University of Colorado Hospital does. Nothing posted right now. I can't tell you about the pay or scope, I've only seen the job posting.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Kirkwood on November 14, 2009 at 12:16am

Depends where you look - there are places where medics actually make a living wage, at least equal to LEOs or firefighters.

Jolie Miller said:

The pay usually isn't very good for those who DO respond to calls either...

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Permalink Reply by Joe P. on November 14, 2009 at 1:02am

Chance Gearheart said:

(I can count on my hand the ones I know of in Tennessee that allow an expanded scope of practice, even though Paramedics can function above the level of an RN)

Cocks head to side. Raises eye brow.

Really? Higher scope? I don't think it's really fair to compare scopes between RNs and paramedics to begin with. After all, how many paramedics can hang (note: hang and transport with are two separate things) blood products?

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Permalink Reply by Marshall on November 14, 2009 at 2:38am

Regions Hospital - St. Paul, MN

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Permalink Reply by Chance Gearheart on November 14, 2009 at 3:22am

Joe, if you actually read the law that applies to Paramedics in a Hospital or ER facility in Tennessee, the wording will terrify you. It basically states that a Paramedic can perform anything a Physician signs off on them to do. Other than Paramedics, it takes a MD, PA or APN to place a chest tube, perform surgical airways, or RSI. (Paramedics and MDs are the only two that I know of that most places will allow to use Etomidate or Diprovan)

As for starting and transporting blood, I've worked for services where we've actually started blood on scene while extricating a patient entrapped in a thresher. They actually brought it from the hosptial to scene. Starting and administering blood (Atleast O-, non specialized factor blood) is part of the initial education curriuculm, although you'll be hardpressed to find a non-critical care service or specialty service that does it.

The whole point of this isn't to start a bitching arguement between RNs and Paramedics, in fact, I'm doing my pre-reqs now to get my RN. But, the whole design factor behind a paramedic is flexability and the ability to train to perform specialized skills that are needed for the environment they are in - most often times training and reenforcement that RNs do not get.

Joe P. said:

Chance Gearheart said:

(I can count on my hand the ones I know of in Tennessee that allow an expanded scope of practice, even though Paramedics can function above the level of an RN)

Cocks head to side. Raises eye brow.

Really? Higher scope? I don't think it's really fair to compare scopes between RNs and paramedics to begin with. After all, how many paramedics can hang (note: hang and transport with are two separate things) blood products?

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Permalink Reply by Jolie Miller on November 14, 2009 at 8:22am

PLEASE, lets not turn this into "one of those threads"...

Joe P. said:

Chance Gearheart said:

(I can count on my hand the ones I know of in Tennessee that allow an expanded scope of practice, even though Paramedics can function above the level of an RN)

Cocks head to side. Raises eye brow.

Really? Higher scope? I don't think it's really fair to compare scopes between RNs and paramedics to begin with. After all, how many paramedics can hang (note: hang and transport with are two separate things) blood products?

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