Any paramedics or doctors on this forum?

Labrie · 06-27-2012, 10:38 PM

I'm nearing the end of my paramedicine program and I'm looking at taking some extra certification courses both for my own interest and to make me more hire-able for the limited amount of jobs in Ontario right now.

I'm taking ITLS in August but I'm also interested in taking ACLS and PALS. I was originally told I needed my paramedic certification in order to take ACLS/PALS but have since been told from the director of the programs at Sunnybrook that they have had students take these courses in the past and be successful.

I'm curious if anyone on this forum has experience with these courses and can tell me what I'm in for. From what I've researched ACLS has a lot of emphasis on pharmacology above the scope of practice of a primary medic. Any input would be great as these courses are expensive and I want to be as prepared as I can be.

Labrie · 06-29-2012, 08:26 AM

Surely someone on this board knows what I'm talking about, no?

Jakke · 06-29-2012, 09:56 AM

I would seek out Poopyalligator. He is a doctor, so I would hazard he is most likely to know what you are asking about.

ghstofperdition · 06-30-2012, 03:28 PM

Paging doctor Poop...

Nah, send poopyalligator a pm since he is a radiologist.

Jakke · 06-30-2012, 03:53 PM

Indeed, Dr Poopy (best doctor name ever)

Stealthdjentstic · 06-30-2012, 03:57 PM

Respect for being a paramedic! That's an incredibly difficult job and paramedics dont get paid nearly enough for what they do.

Labrie · 06-30-2012, 04:51 PM

The pay is a lot better than what it is in the states but still a bit below fire and police. We're getting there though. The college of paramedics has been in the works for awhile and the last I heard it might be seen within the next year or so. Once that is established hopefully we will be seen as more than just ambulance drivers.

Thanks for the replies, I've paged Dr. Poopy.

ghstofperdition · 06-30-2012, 08:56 PM

Better to be an ambulance driver than an ambulance chaser (aka lawyer). Just sayin'.....

Kodee_Kaos · 06-30-2012, 10:31 PM

Im studying my basic EMT stuff right now. From what I could gather, Paramedics have an emphasis on pharmacology, and are expected to have a far greater grasp on anatomy/nomenclature. If Im not mistaken they are also trained to set IV drips, and install an emergency tracheotomy using nothing but a Swiss army knife and Bic pen tube. Or maybe that is MacGuyver training. :p

Blind Theory · 06-30-2012, 10:32 PM

My mom teaches PALS in the US. That's all I know as far as what you said

Labrie · 07-01-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodee_Kaos

Im studying my basic EMT stuff right now. From what I could gather, Paramedics have an emphasis on pharmacology, and are expected to have a far greater grasp on anatomy/nomenclature. If Im not mistaken they are also trained to set IV drips, and install an emergency tracheotomy using nothing but a Swiss army knife and Bic pen tube. Or maybe that is MacGuyver training. :p

There are three different levels of medics here in Ontario but the skill sets are set by each municipality. So in my current service I'm able to start IVs but next county over I might not be able to even though technically I have the ability too. The reason for this is because we work under a doctors license and not our own (another reason we want our own college).

It's an enormously rewarding job though (at least right now it is). My goal is to become a critical care flight medic but it will be a few years before I make it there. I'm just focused on graduating right now lol.

ilyti · 07-01-2012, 01:41 PM

Maybe it is a coincidence, but..

Your username is Labrie, you're from Ontario, and you're a paramedic. I once heard James LaBrie say in an interview that if he hadn't had a career in music he would have been a paramedic.

Are your first two names Kevin and James?

MaritimeMedic · 07-02-2012, 10:15 PM

ITLS (previously BTLS) is more focused towards what you would have learned in PCP school, whereas ACLS is more aimed towards an ACP/CCP scope. That being said, you'll learn a lot from ACLS and PALS that you didn't learn in school - even if you can't practice the skills in the field (I don't believe Ontario allows for epi during Cardiac Arrests at the PCP scope) and you'll learn other ACLS medications such as a dopamine, vasopressin, lidocaine, mag-sulfate et all.

If you were good with pharmacology in your current program; I'd say go for it, give it a shot. Good luck when you get in the field. I love my career, wouldn't change it for the world.

Labrie · 07-03-2012, 07:36 AM

Thanks for the info!

As PCP we are only allowed to give epi for cardiac arrest if the arrest is thought to be of anaphalaxis in nature. Other drugs like adenosine and atropine etc I would love to learn how to use because I really love cardiology.

There are some schools here that will let you take ACP course right after PCP graduation but I think I should get some more road experience before I jump right in. The other problem is a lot of services around here are not sponsoring their medics to upgrade to ACP anymore due to budget and already having enough of them. So if you want to do it you have to pay for it yourself.

And no my first two names are not Kevin and James lol

MaritimeMedic · 07-03-2012, 07:59 AM

I'd recommend a few years experience between PCP and ACP anyways. Some people do the whole zero to hero thing but they usually have a harder time than if they have had real world experience as a PCP first.

If you get paired up with an ACP you'll learn a LOT in the field about cardiac drugs; I don't know if they do it in Ontario, we just got TNK to Thrombolyse in the field, so we're taking big leaps forward for cardiac patients before we even get to the hospital.

I know Ontario is a hard place to find work, we get a LOT of people here (NS) coming from Ontario. If you aren't tied down and want a full time PCP job right out of the gate, making 'decent' money for the area, go to Newfoundland. That's where I started as a PCP before coming to NS and upgrading etc.

Labrie · 07-04-2012, 01:04 PM

I do have a family so it'd be hard to pick up and move. Also my program isn't CMA accredited so I don't know how good my chances would be getting a job outside Ontario. I've got a couple ins at my local service so hopefully that works out otherwise I'll have no choice but to go wherever the work is.

That's awesome about getting TNK. Maybe one day they'll let us use it here. Our last revision of protocols that came out last year gave us a lot more freedom to think on our own. They also brought out therapeutic hypothermia and gave us the ability to TOR patients. The problem is that protocols can be interpreted different ways which has led to a lot of confusion in class, especially for our final scenarios.

	sevenstring guitars		sevenstring registry		photo gallery		subscription		spy

06-27-2012, 10:38 PM	#1
Labrie King of the Swing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 643 Thanked: 24 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Any paramedics or doctors on this forum? I'm nearing the end of my paramedicine program and I'm looking at taking some extra certification courses both for my own interest and to make me more hire-able for the limited amount of jobs in Ontario right now. I'm taking ITLS in August but I'm also interested in taking ACLS and PALS. I was originally told I needed my paramedic certification in order to take ACLS/PALS but have since been told from the director of the programs at Sunnybrook that they have had students take these courses in the past and be successful. I'm curious if anyone on this forum has experience with these courses and can tell me what I'm in for. From what I've researched ACLS has a lot of emphasis on pharmacology above the scope of practice of a primary medic. Any input would be great as these courses are expensive and I want to be as prepared as I can be.

06-29-2012, 08:26 AM	#2
Labrie King of the Swing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 643 Thanked: 24 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Surely someone on this board knows what I'm talking about, no? Kodee_Kaos likes this.

06-29-2012, 09:56 AM	#3
Jakke Alex Jones plz Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: In a van... DOWN' BY THE RIVER! Posts: 3,443 Thanked: 90 $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I would seek out Poopyalligator. He is a doctor, so I would hazard he is most likely to know what you are asking about. Member of the Injustice League with Pooluke41, -42 and BrainArt I am Dr. Disappointinator, after an accident with a radioactive school teacher I now possess the ability to instantly crush all hopes and desires of any individual at any given time Emotions are for women, and gay children Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it But the way those atoms are put together -Carl Sagan

06-30-2012, 03:28 PM	#4
ghstofperdition One sexy bitch Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 3,601 Thanked: 54 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Paging doctor Poop... Nah, send poopyalligator a pm since he is a radiologist. Not sure how to interact with transgendered people? Read this: http://tranifesto.com/transgender-fa...-trans-people/ Oh and if you wanna hear some super horrible recordings and mixes, check out my soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jessica-macarthur "You can .... anything....how do you think evolution happened?" - mcd

Today
Seven String	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Sevenstring.org

06-30-2012, 03:53 PM	#5
Jakke Alex Jones plz Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: In a van... DOWN' BY THE RIVER! Posts: 3,443 Thanked: 90 $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Jakke is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Indeed, Dr Poopy (best doctor name ever) Member of the Injustice League with Pooluke41, -42 and BrainArt I am Dr. Disappointinator, after an accident with a radioactive school teacher I now possess the ability to instantly crush all hopes and desires of any individual at any given time Emotions are for women, and gay children Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it But the way those atoms are put together -Carl Sagan

06-30-2012, 03:57 PM	#6
Stealthdjentstic Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canadia Posts: 19,984 Thanked: 338 Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Respect for being a paramedic! That's an incredibly difficult job and paramedics dont get paid nearly enough for what they do. Jakke likes this.

06-30-2012, 04:51 PM	#7
Labrie King of the Swing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 643 Thanked: 24 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	The pay is a lot better than what it is in the states but still a bit below fire and police. We're getting there though. The college of paramedics has been in the works for awhile and the last I heard it might be seen within the next year or so. Once that is established hopefully we will be seen as more than just ambulance drivers. Thanks for the replies, I've paged Dr. Poopy.

06-30-2012, 08:56 PM	#8
ghstofperdition One sexy bitch Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 3,601 Thanked: 54 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Better to be an ambulance driver than an ambulance chaser (aka lawyer). Just sayin'..... Not sure how to interact with transgendered people? Read this: http://tranifesto.com/transgender-fa...-trans-people/ Oh and if you wanna hear some super horrible recordings and mixes, check out my soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jessica-macarthur "You can .... anything....how do you think evolution happened?" - mcd

06-30-2012, 10:31 PM	#9
Kodee_Kaos NegRep For Free Porn Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Reno Posts: 251 Thanked: 18 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Im studying my basic EMT stuff right now. From what I could gather, Paramedics have an emphasis on pharmacology, and are expected to have a far greater grasp on anatomy/nomenclature. If Im not mistaken they are also trained to set IV drips, and install an emergency tracheotomy using nothing but a Swiss army knife and Bic pen tube. Or maybe that is MacGuyver training. :p

06-30-2012, 10:32 PM	#10
Blind Theory SS.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: United States Posts: 718 Thanked: 14 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My mom teaches PALS in the US. That's all I know as far as what you said

07-01-2012, 01:41 PM	#12
ilyti Lazy Ryebread Viking Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,580 Thanked: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Maybe it is a coincidence, but.. Your username is Labrie, you're from Ontario, and you're a paramedic. I once heard James LaBrie say in an interview that if he hadn't had a career in music he would have been a paramedic. Are your first two names Kevin and James?

07-02-2012, 10:15 PM	#13
MaritimeMedic ss.org Regular Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 2 Thanked: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	ITLS (previously BTLS) is more focused towards what you would have learned in PCP school, whereas ACLS is more aimed towards an ACP/CCP scope. That being said, you'll learn a lot from ACLS and PALS that you didn't learn in school - even if you can't practice the skills in the field (I don't believe Ontario allows for epi during Cardiac Arrests at the PCP scope) and you'll learn other ACLS medications such as a dopamine, vasopressin, lidocaine, mag-sulfate et all. If you were good with pharmacology in your current program; I'd say go for it, give it a shot. Good luck when you get in the field. I love my career, wouldn't change it for the world.

07-03-2012, 07:36 AM	#14
Labrie King of the Swing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 643 Thanked: 24 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Thanks for the info! As PCP we are only allowed to give epi for cardiac arrest if the arrest is thought to be of anaphalaxis in nature. Other drugs like adenosine and atropine etc I would love to learn how to use because I really love cardiology. There are some schools here that will let you take ACP course right after PCP graduation but I think I should get some more road experience before I jump right in. The other problem is a lot of services around here are not sponsoring their medics to upgrade to ACP anymore due to budget and already having enough of them. So if you want to do it you have to pay for it yourself. And no my first two names are not Kevin and James lol

07-03-2012, 07:59 AM	#15
MaritimeMedic ss.org Regular Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 2 Thanked: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'd recommend a few years experience between PCP and ACP anyways. Some people do the whole zero to hero thing but they usually have a harder time than if they have had real world experience as a PCP first. If you get paired up with an ACP you'll learn a LOT in the field about cardiac drugs; I don't know if they do it in Ontario, we just got TNK to Thrombolyse in the field, so we're taking big leaps forward for cardiac patients before we even get to the hospital. I know Ontario is a hard place to find work, we get a LOT of people here (NS) coming from Ontario. If you aren't tied down and want a full time PCP job right out of the gate, making 'decent' money for the area, go to Newfoundland. That's where I started as a PCP before coming to NS and upgrading etc.

07-04-2012, 01:04 PM	#16
Labrie King of the Swing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 643 Thanked: 24 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I do have a family so it'd be hard to pick up and move. Also my program isn't CMA accredited so I don't know how good my chances would be getting a job outside Ontario. I've got a couple ins at my local service so hopefully that works out otherwise I'll have no choice but to go wherever the work is. That's awesome about getting TNK. Maybe one day they'll let us use it here. Our last revision of protocols that came out last year gave us a lot more freedom to think on our own. They also brought out therapeutic hypothermia and gave us the ability to TOR patients. The problem is that protocols can be interpreted different ways which has led to a lot of confusion in class, especially for our final scenarios.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode