Your Dream Job

[endeavor]

Bodybuilder, own my own business.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by flameswin

In terms of?

Pay, working conditions, that sort of thing?

Working conditions mostly. I've had friends that worked with Calgary and they hated it. It all depends on the station, definitely but the consensus was the older generation came off as burnt out which lead to poor mentorship. To add to that, the hospital waiting times are ridiculous. When I did rural, it was common to spend a couple hours in the hospital watching over your patient before getting them a bed. In the city, it can be much worse. It's bad for a couple reasons; it's boring, and it can take an entire unit off the street.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Yasa

Working conditions mostly. I've had friends that worked with Calgary and they hated it. It all depends on the station, definitely but the consensus was the older generation came off as burnt out which lead to poor mentorship. To add to that, the hospital waiting times are ridiculous. When I did rural, it was common to spend a couple hours in the hospital watching over your patient before getting them a bed. In the city, it can be much worse. It's bad for a couple reasons; it's boring, and it can take an entire unit off the street.

Yeah, I think I've dealt with some of the burnt out ones. I called 911 for a co-worker who fell ill and then basically collapsed (turns out he suffered a stroke). After others were tending to him and I had done everything the operator asked, I ran out to the road to direct the ambulance to the front door.

They kept a pretty slow pace as they pulled up. Then when they got out and had their equipment I was jogging to lead them to the guy, and turned around to find them just kind of slowly walking along with no intention of getting to the victim in a timely fashion. I kind of looked at them as if to say
"Seriously? Someone needs immediate emergancy care, and you look like a couple of fast food workers who were asked to work an extra hour".

Is that common? I assume if they know the emergancy and know that the one they'er responding to doesn't require a timely response, then fine. But I was under the impression that strokes are pretty serious and can worsen by the second if not treated by paramedics. Maybe my knowledge of strokes is off base?

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Yeah, I think I've dealt with some of the burnt out ones. I called 911 for a co-worker who fell ill and then basically collapsed (turns out he suffered a stroke). After others were tending to him and I had done everything the operator asked, I ran out to the road to direct the ambulance to the front door.

They kept a pretty slow pace as they pulled up. Then when they got out and had their equipment I was jogging to lead them to the guy, and turned around to find them just kind of slowly walking along with no intention of getting to the victim in a timely fashion. I kind of looked at them as if to say
"Seriously? Someone needs immediate emergancy care, and you look like a couple of fast food workers who were asked to work an extra hour".

Is that common? I assume if they know the emergancy and know that the one they'er responding to doesn't require a timely response, then fine. But I was under the impression that strokes are pretty serious and can worsen by the second if not treated by paramedics. Maybe my knowledge of strokes is off base?

I can't really give you an idea if it's common or not, but I can tell you that one of our "rules" is "it's not our emergency" and what that means is don't rush to the patient and always be cautious.

This is for a couple of reasons. It could be icy outside, and running can cause us to slip which can be worse when carrying the trauma bags/O2/stretcher. There have been instances of uncautious medics being lead into situations that allowed them to be robbed. False heart attack and stroke calls have been used to lure medics into traps. I haven't seen it, it's just what I've been told.

However, I'm pretty sure you're not an unsavory character and your "work" is probably not a crackhouse, so the idea that the responders were dawdling is pretty annoying to me. I typically don't run to a patient, but I go there with a sense of urgency.

It may also have looked much different to you, if you were in a bit of a panic. When you've got the adrenalin pumping, you're ready to go and time might feel just a bit slower so to you they might have seemed more complacent. I'm not saying that's what happened, I'm just trying to look at it from another angle.

Edit: and with strokes, you have what's called the "golden hour" from when symptoms begin. It's crucial to get them to a hospital, or initiate a clot-buster (not in my scope) within that time. For further stroke awareness stuff, we use what's called the Cincinnati Stroke Scale. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinn...l_Stroke_Scale) so if anybody is interested in what to look for if they fear somebody has had a stroke, there ya go.

[bc-chris]

i love my current job - being self employed is pretty sweet... having employees is even sweeter... other people making you money - gotta love it!!!

i think there is really only one thing i'd want to do more than what i currently do.... i'd love to be a firefighter - that's something i've always wanted to do, ever since i was a kid.... actually, when i was a kid i wanted to be a fire truck, but since that's sort of a tough gig to pull off i'd settle for fire fighter!!!

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by Yasa

I can't really give you an idea if it's common or not, but I can tell you that one of our "rules" is "it's not our emergency" and what that means is don't rush to the patient and always be cautious.

This is for a couple of reasons. It could be icy outside, and running can cause us to slip which can be worse when carrying the trauma bags/O2/stretcher. There have been instances of uncautious medics being lead into situations that allowed them to be robbed. False heart attack and stroke calls have been used to lure medics into traps. I haven't seen it, it's just what I've been told.

However, I'm pretty sure you're not an unsavory character and your "work" is probably not a crackhouse, so the idea that the responders were dawdling is pretty annoying to me. I typically don't run to a patient, but I go there with a sense of urgency.

How often do you get called out on false alarms? I'm thinking if it happened too often over the years the older generation may have become complacent.

Drunk pickups, people that just need a ride?

[sun]

Male model.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

How often do you get called out on false alarms? I'm thinking if it happened too often over the years the older generation may have become complacent.

Drunk pickups, people that just need a ride?

False calls, as in traps for meds? None. I've never had an illegitimate call. Some things might seem minor compared to others, but I haven't had an instance where the call was undeserved. That's just my experience though, I'm not saying it doesn't happen.

Oh actually there was one call that comes to mind that some would consider unnecessary. A lady had a complained of shortness of breath (which is a routine call) when we got there, her vitals were fine, she had no wheezing, etc. She was pretty much just lonely and needed somebody to talk to. Sometimes that's part of the job too, is just being there to listen when a person needs it.

[drhu22]

Freelance photographer
Comedy writer

[Roast Beef]

I would have 2 jobs. Beer tester during the day. Mattress tester at night. Or I would like a job as an underwater firefighter.

[Keselke]

Originally Posted by wittynickname

I honestly love my job, but if I could pick and choose my clientele, get rid of the awful clients who ruin my day and just keep the good ones, and also add some high-end, big money/big name clients, I'd be golden.

Really, I want to just have my job, but refined and if I could also add a 0 to the end of my yearly income, it would be perfection.

...By the way, I'm a hairstylist/colorist, for anyone who was unaware.

Do you match the carpet to the drapes?

Im asking for a friend

[Hockey_Ninja]

Graphic Designer or Film Maker.

[getbak]

Disney Imagineer or Stadium/Arena Designer.

[SHOGUN]

International food critic. Seriously... travel the world while tasting all kinds of amazing foods you'd never even imagine.

[Sr. Mints]

Railroad Engineer or Screenwriter

[badradio]

I think my dream job would be at Heritage Park as one of those actors, and if it payed half-decent... I would give it all up to do that in a second... I don't think it pays that well though... and is probably seasonal... :/ still.. that's my dream job... or working for the Flames in some kind of marketing....

[wittynickname]

Originally Posted by Keselke

Do you match the carpet to the drapes?

Im asking for a friend

There's a product that actually is made specifically for that. I don't personally do it, but it's possible!

[bc-chris]

oh - i just had another 'dream job' pop into my head....

i'd love to be one of the dudes that gets to dream up new lego sets... i can't imagine being payed to play with lego!!!

[dissentowner]

Casino owner. Let the money roll in while I go travel and enjoy life.

[pepper24]

Mall security cop like Aleks.