Good medic ?

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Permalink Reply by Terry on December 14, 2008 at 5:55pm

A good medic dosent get all worked up. They keeps a level head and are focused. They are also constantly learning and brushing up on their skills.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Bouthillet on December 14, 2008 at 7:35pm

Good medics know their limitations and understand that it's not about them or what they're allowed to do, it's about what's good for the patient. Good medics are skeptical and question EMS dogma. Good medics care about people and are compassionate and treat others they way they would want to be treated in similar circumstances. Good medics are life-long learners. Good medics are humble, but they're not afraid to advocate for themselves or for their patients. When physicians or nurses question the actions of good medics, good medics can explain themselves in a professional, collegiate manner without getting defensive and then bitching about it all the way back to the station. Good medics do their job correctly, with attention to detail, and pursue excellence in every aspect of their job. Good medics are a credit to the profession.

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Permalink Reply by Jasen Adam on December 14, 2008 at 7:39pm

Tom Bouthillet said:

Good medics know their limitations and understand that it's not about them or what they're allowed to do, it's about what's good for the patient. Good medics are skeptical and question EMS dogma. Good medics care about people and are compassionate and treat others they way they would want to be treated in similar circumstances. Good medics are life-long learners. Good medics are humble, but they're not afraid to advocate for themselves or for their patients. When physicians or nurses question the actions of good medics, good medics can explain themselves in a professional, collegiate manner without getting defensive and then bitching about it all the way back to the station. Good medics do their job correctly, with attention to detail, and pursue excellence in every aspect of their job. Good medics are a credit to the profession.

I don't think it can be said any better.

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Permalink Reply by Tracey Baker on December 14, 2008 at 8:06pm

Good Medic?
Besides the skills, assessments, and continued learning-
Teaching others.
Community Involvement
Teachable moments to give and receive.
Learning from a patient and co-workers.
Never losing sight of the patients need to privacy and human dignity.
Knowing that there is always someone better.
Compassion.
Empathy.
Laughing.
Holding a hand.
Decreasing anxiety
Treating those as though they are a family member.
Leaving biases behind.
Always defending your practice by always doing what is in "The Best Interest of The Patient".
Understanding individual differences, diversity, and mostly honoring, " AUTONOMY!!!

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Permalink Reply by Lucas Sikes on December 15, 2008 at 2:29pm

Although I am not a Paramedic, I have worked with quite a few over the last four years, some good, some bad, and some in between. From my experience, good medics usually have AT LEAST one year as an EMT-B, are able to keep their heads about them, and actually care about their patients.

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Permalink Reply by Robert J. Galvin III on December 15, 2008 at 4:44pm

It is the small things in life that enable us to be the best at what we do.

Take the time to read the following. Reflection is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and the best service we can give to others.

Enjoy!

The Cab Ride

So I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, any knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. 'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'. 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now' We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

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Permalink Reply by asysin2leads on December 15, 2008 at 11:10pm

I'm waiting for the obligatory person to say the "HUURRRRK ITS BLS BEFER ALS...YOU GOTS TO BE THE GOOD EMT FIRST". Usually that comes up in these discussions. As if it takes much brains to master the suction tool.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Martin on December 16, 2008 at 5:08pm

I think this is well put. I would like to add that good medics are always willing take the time to teach "newbies" when appropriate and never ever stop learning. They also remember that the greenest, most basic rookie can teach an old dog new tricks.
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Good medics know their limitations and understand that it's not about them or what they're allowed to do, it's about what's good for the patient. Good medics are skeptical and question EMS dogma. Good medics care about people and are compassionate and treat others they way they would want to be treated in similar circumstances. Good medics are life-long learners. Good medics are humble, but they're not afraid to advocate for themselves or for their patients. When physicians or nurses question the actions of good medics, good medics can explain themselves in a professional, collegiate manner without getting defensive and then bitching about it all the way back to the station. Good medics do their job correctly, with attention to detail, and pursue excellence in every aspect of their job. Good medics are a credit to the profession.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Wiegand on December 17, 2008 at 9:32am

I think Tom said it best. The only thing I will add is good medics should be willing and able to pass along these traits to those following. We all know "good" medics who belittle others to make themselves look better for advancement purposes. (very insecure) Good skills but completely miss the rest of what Tom said. As for being a good EMT first, I think it's a personal call for each to make. I believe you must build your skill level on solid ground. So I guess I would say yes, you should be a good EMT first. (my opinion)

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Permalink Reply by Annette Smith on December 17, 2008 at 8:50pm

asysin2leads said:

I'm waiting for the obligatory person to say the "HUURRRRK ITS BLS BEFER ALS...YOU GOTS TO BE THE GOOD EMT FIRST". Usually that comes up in these discussions. As if it takes much brains to master the suction tool.

WOW! Were you just.....BORN a Paramedic? The suction tool? I'm speechless....I suppose your partner is a "driver"......jeeeezus

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Permalink Reply by Annette Smith on December 17, 2008 at 8:51pm

T said:

Beautiful.

Tom Bouthillet said:

Good medics know their limitations and understand that it's not about them or what they're allowed to do, it's about what's good for the patient. Good medics are skeptical and question EMS dogma. Good medics care about people and are compassionate and treat others they way they would want to be treated in similar circumstances. Good medics are life-long learners. Good medics are humble, but they're not afraid to advocate for themselves or for their patients. When physicians or nurses question the actions of good medics, good medics can explain themselves in a professional, collegiate manner without getting defensive and then bitching about it all the way back to the station. Good medics do their job correctly, with attention to detail, and pursue excellence in every aspect of their job. Good medics are a credit to the profession.

Awesome description Tom, my sentiments exactly.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Borden on December 17, 2008 at 9:12pm

Hi everyone I am new here and reading through these posts...I think everyone has terrific points. Everyone. What I enjoy most is the diversity in which each speaks: all coming to the same ultimate conclusion.

Annette L. Smith said:

T said:

Beautiful.

Tom Bouthillet said:

Good medics know their limitations and understand that it's not about them or what they're allowed to do, it's about what's good for the patient. Good medics are skeptical and question EMS dogma. Good medics care about people and are compassionate and treat others they way they would want to be treated in similar circumstances. Good medics are life-long learners. Good medics are humble, but they're not afraid to advocate for themselves or for their patients. When physicians or nurses question the actions of good medics, good medics can explain themselves in a professional, collegiate manner without getting defensive and then bitching about it all the way back to the station. Good medics do their job correctly, with attention to detail, and pursue excellence in every aspect of their job. Good medics are a credit to the profession.

Awesome description Tom, my sentiments exactly.

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