Friday, June 29, 2007

Effective Immediately

My day with the Chief went very well. We did a few routine calls, a man who had fallen down a flight of stairs with an obvious closed tib/fib fracture, another man who's plaster ceiling had fallen down on his head while he was washing the dishes. I assessed the patients, directed other crewmembers on scene, and made treatment decisions based on my clinical impressions. I was nervous, and sweating in the 90 degree heat, but apparently avoided screwing up too badly as at the end of the shift I got a handshake and congratulations. "Do your best to kill as few people as possible," he said with a smile.

And I was done.

It seems a little odd now, after having jumped through so many hoops, filed so much paperwork, and paid all of my dues: here I am now with nothing else to do other than go out and work. What do you mean I'm cut loose to practice on my own? You mean I get to go out all by myself, with just an EMT?

I received a letter today from my Medical Control hospital:



Effective Immediately, but the feeling hasn't quite yet hit home.


My first shift as a paramedic will be tonight. 6pm till midnight or so, I am doing a quickie shift with a good friend of mine watching over a boxing event. I guess I should brush up a little on my trauma protocols?

9 comments:

Ambulance Driver said...

Dancing Rodents!

Anonymous said...

Congradulations you earned it.. its strange, i was thinking back to when i was in your shoes, just getting cut loose. I was scared shitless and excited... Saturday will be the first time you get to do paramedcine with out another paramedic watching you.... now the real fun begins!

Blue Ridge Medic said...

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

congrats thats awsome

Mastabattas said...

Congratulations Baby Medic...

Osk said...

Congrats! I'm on the opposite end, just beginning, but glad to know that it's possible (it seems so far away to me).

Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Way to go!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Hot damn! Rock n roll, big guy!

JeanMac said...

Yeah! Congratulations.