EMS Office Hours

Taking any EMS exam is challenging. The amount of content you are expected to remember and know how to apply all piled into a 200 question test can seem overwhelming. This week we talk about some tips and methods that have worked for us when taking exams, the systems that Jim recommends to his website members and discuss some  techniques used by others as well. Less face it, passing the exam means you get to work or keep working. theres a lot on the line and no one is going to give you the answers to the questions. Join us with your exam taking tips and recent testing experiences. ====================== This episode is sponsored by EMS Manager. Get a free trial of this EMS employee scheduling software at EMSManager.net Be sure to check out EMS Exam Boot Camp for over 2 hours of exam taking help and useful resources to get you passing your next exam with ease. Click here for details.

With all the recent talk about the Glenwood Gardens, we couldn't let the topic go without discussing that old word "perception" again. Do we choose who lives and dies in EMS or are we just following guidelines, made up my people who are out of touch with reality, research and medicine? Policies enforced with a legal eye and no regard for the patient and their outcomes. There is a lot that goes with this story and others like it. Phrases like DNR, duty to act and more get thrown around. But there is an issue with this call that goes beyond CPR, deciding who gets it, when they get or IF they get. There is a reality that haunts EMS daily and if you have listened to the call, it's there, right below the surface. Join us for this episode as we discuss the CPR, DNR, CCRC's and the bigger underlying issue that we as EMS professionals face everyday with agencies like them. =============== This episode of EMS Office Hours is proudly sponsored by EMS Manager. Get your free trial today of this EMS scheduling software by clicking here.

The threat of getting injured in EMS is always present. Being in shape, having situational awareness and knowing your limitations can help keep you safe. But nothing is fool proof. If you do get injured, how does your agency handle it?Workers Comp, Light Duty work or some variation of these? What about how these options can help or hurt you and your agency in the long run. Plus at what point point do our skill sets as EMS providers begin to blur in order to fulfill our need to work and an organizations need for cost savings and productivity. Don't let the title fool you. We've been quietly talking about this behind the scenes and this episode promises to be a passionate one. =============== EMS Office Hours is proudly sponsored by EMS Manager. There's one way to find out if this EMS employee scheduling and management software will work for you. Its by signing up for their free customized trial to kick the tires and really appreciate all the features. Go here to give it a try today.

As an EMS professional you have sat in class, studied the content, taken the exams and have even continued your education in CEU's. But with all this book learnin' how can you translate the textbook into the field? The calls we go on don't adhere to the textbook and the patients have not read them either. So, the balancing act is ever present between the text and the reality of EMS. Join us for this episode with your stories and opinions. Bring your reality to the show. ====== Get a free customized trial of EMS Manager by visiting our proud sponsor Aladtec today - click here

Chest tubes in EMS? Maybe we should stick with what we know here. Join Jim, Josh and over 2000 weekly listeners for that and much more. Including stories from the field and around the crew room. ======== If you have more than five employees at your agency then you could use some employee scheduling and management software. With pricing based on agency size you can't afford not to try out the free customized trial. Get it here

Often we complain about the non emergent calls we get in EMS. The fevers, the broken fingers, flu, stomach virus etc. We want the traumas, the arrests, the STEMIs.. or do we? Join us for this episode and find out why those bullshit calls might just be saving you and your patients. ========== We love our sponsors. EMS Manager is offering a free customized trial of their easy to use EMS employee scheduling and management software. Giving it a try has never been easier. Just visit http://emsmanager.net to start your free trial.

Time for a rapid fire show. Thsi months topics include paramedic school accreditation, dry vs. wet houses and an EMS Super Bowl commercial. Anything goes on these episodes so bring your topic or your story. Join us online, call in or chat live. Sponsor - Can you signup or trade shifts from anywhere? Why not? For more information and a FREE trial click here.

This Superbowl Sunday we are posting a replay of a very special interview done in 2008 with Rob Davis. Rob was a strong voice in EMS and sat with me to discuss the challenges facing EMS, what he felt was holding us back and how we could make changes to move the EMS profession forward. When I listened back to this interview I wondered how many things have changed in the years since this interview. Listen to this interview and post what you think is different between 2008 and now. What is holding us back? ====== This episode is sponsored by EMS Manager.

With new training guidleines and inceased classroom times. It seems that new students coming out of paramedic school are not as prepeared as they should be. Is too much time being spent on topics not geared toward EMS? Is there not enough time focused on what is needed to operate as a paramedic in the field out of paramedic class? Join us this weeka long with our guests as we discuss this topic. Bring your latest classroom story and share it with the listeners. ========== Check out our sponsor EMS Manager for a customized free trial of their employee management tool. http://emsmanager.net  

This week we talk about two topics that never seem to get old. Spinal immobilization, specifically a recent extrication that was not needed and spinal clearance guidelines. We also will discuss the idea of BLS doing 12 leads in the field. Join us and guests for what will most likely be a fast moving episode, filled with wonder. ======== Are you thinking about using an employee scheduling and management tool? If so, you should sign up for a free trial with our sponsor EMS Manager. Click here for details.

Have you found that EMS instructor who is patient, understanding and knowledgeable? The one who takes that extra time to explain something or sympathizes with the stress levels you are under during your skills exam? Good for you. Some EMS instructors can also have the total opposite approach. Patient only as full his coffee cup is, understanding just to the point of what you need to know to pass and knowledgeable only as far as the PowerPoint slide deck goes. Why is it that we often encounter these instructors and heaven forbid we complain about them. We might as well stay home and give ourselves a failing skill sheet. Join us as we discuss this and try to decide if there is a method to it or if we are just being too damn sensitive. ======================= This episode of EMS Office Hours is sponsored by EMS Manager. Visit them today for your free customized trial of this amazing employee scheduling and management tool.

This week we talk about the DC ambulance delays ask how long have you ever waited for an ED bed and pull stuff out of the weekly grab bag. Join us at 7PM EST with your thoughts or bring your own topic to the chat room. ---------------- Be sure to sign up for your free trial account at EMS Manager.  

The last show of 2012. The year went by fast and the show has gained many new listeners. We end this year with a look at a few popular topics in EMS. Including the new outlook for EMT employement, when a medic should be a PA and a few other hot items in the EMS interwebs.

Sadly, it seems like more tradegies and disasters are becoming a regular occurence. This forces EMS into the front lines of these events and takes us rapidly from the nursing home patient or sick call to an all out multiple patient scenario involving situations and patients we are not always ready to encounter.   Join us for this episode as we discuss these types of events, EMS preparation, pre and post reactions. What can help us going into 2013 realize more than ever before how we are indeed on the front lines?

If you have been checking the social media EMS talk lately you may have heard about Nathan. He is a young boy who has cancer and whose wish was to meet EMS responders. What a great wish and what a great response from providers. Including a group from Jims own Brooklyn NY who drove to VA to meet Nathan and bring him a collection of shirts, patches and more. Too often we see negative stories about EMS. We have talked about perception in EMS a lot on the show and a story like this goes a long way for Nathan and his family for sure. But I think it also goes a long way to how we are perceived. Join us for this episode as we invite some of the responders who made the trip to Nathan. Hear their story, Nathans and talk a little about the effect it can have on EMS. See part of the story here