The salty dog, the medic everyone calls Doc. What does it take to have longevity in EMS? What changes for that provider who has ten, twenty or more years in the industry? EMS professionals who keep doing the job year after year have a vested interest in the future of the industry. At least they should have. Have you been in EMS for over 10 years? What keeps you going, what are your hopes and do you try and pass your experience and goals to the younger generation? Take a listen and be sure to share your thoughts, goals and how you have seen EMS change over the years in the comments below.
Podcast: Download
Show notes:
Josh Knapp from WANTYNU
Bob Sullivan from EMS Patient Perspective
Check out Skip Kirkwood’s JEMS Connect page
Steve Whitehead over at The EMT Spot <– mentioned by Bob and Jim
Below is the link for the book Resuscitate by Mickey Eisenberg
Interesting discussion – and one that deserves continued thought and followup. I’ve been a medic for 30 plus years and place number 6 on our senority list. The top 31 all have at least 20 years in our department and many of them had experience else where. By anybody’s standards, we are well paid with a defined benfit pension that should insure a good retirement.
We do EMS only and are public employees. Our department has a very healthy profit margin even when other health care providers are struggling with the realities of declining reimbursements.
If one wants to really get to the nub of the longevity issue, look to successful agencies and identify what that all seem to have in common. The answers lie there.
“If one wants to really get to the nub of the longevity issue, look to successful agencies and identify what that all seem to have in common. The answers lie there.”
Perfectly said, Jack. To add to that, I think those 31 at your agency have a true heart for EMS. They are probably the people who would still run calls if they woke up with millions of dollars tomorrow.
I long to work at an agency such as yours, wherever that may be.
Here’s what one organization does to promote longevity:
http://emspatientperspective.com/2011/12/15/punishing-your-best-people-and-longevity/
25 years working the streets and still having fun doing it. Many get burned out , why not me? I enjoy working on patients. The ones that are just looking for a ride, I give them a ride. I know I can not stop these foolish calls so lets not stress the small stuff. The intoxes time and time again been there done that lots. No recongnition for our work, that is true for 90 percent I am lucky 10 percenter. I can into EMS wanting to be a paramedic. Many come into EMS as stepping stone and that is their only step. Then they are mad they can’t get out of it. Just thought I would share I am happy old timer doing what I wanted to do. It was a good choice for me. Plus I got to work with James Hoffman.
Thanks George. Be sure and stop by the FaceBook Fan page and leave a link for your new book.