Ergo the Ego

When someone utters the word 'Paragod' most of us smile and nod and think of our favorite paramedic, usually the ones that have water walking on the top of their resume. In my career I have been fortunate as I have never had to deal with this kind of attitude to any concerning extent. In fact, I have generally had very pleasant interactions with ALS.

Unfortunately, my record has been marred.

My ambulance, with two EMT-P, two EMT-IV and an EMT-B scooped and ran with a pt with agonal respirations and extensive trauma to the head. Much to my dismay, when I asked for some assistance from a fellow dept member, she was not there, but instead I find SuperCriticalCareParagod. At this point, it really doesn't matter, we have a job to do and the patient comes first. We scoop, we run. Once in the ambulance, that's when the REAL fun started. We were all simultaneously doing our jobs as we should. I have previously described this kind of situation as a symphony. SCCP kept changing the song right in the middle. Just as the tube was about to be placed, she disagreed on the size. Little did she know that she would have a heaping serving of crow when she suggested to another paramedic that unless she was the paramedic in charge she should consider being quiet. Whoopsie.

And that's when SCCP and her sidekick excuse two of my emts from the squad. Um, no. That's not how this is going to go. We are a team here and you are not going to split up our team, but for the sake of not causing a scene, they left.

Normally, we get regular updates from our firefighters on the status of the helicopter and we appreciate it. So when our CHIEF stuck his head in the door to advise us they were on the ground and the bitch told him to get the fuck out... yeah... you can imagine how well that went over.

Our other paramedic stepped in to help bag the patient as everyone had their hands full, except SCCP and her sidekick. As she was bagging Sidekick told her to get the fuck out. Um, no.

I have one paramedic that I know and trust telling me to do one thing, and SCCP telling me not to. Who do I pick? The one that is actually running the call or the one that just thinks she is running the call?

Bottom line is, they were out of line. There were four other patients to be assessed and they decided that they wanted our patient. Which, if we didn't have a paramedic already there, would be great, but since we already had TWO, they were not needed.

They helped trash the ambulance and simply walked away.

No one stands up to SCCP. Not her chief, not any of the EMTs because if they do, she makes their life a living hell and makes a point of correcting them in front of the most people possible. She is also the same EMT that I have given a full report to, requested a splint and easy transport and she rolled her eyes at me and started the entire assessment over. She has been trash talking me and my department for months.

To say I am livid is not really a strong enough word. Running on two hours of sleep and about three cups of coffee doesn't help the situation either.


I don't care if you think the sun shines out your ass. When it comes to patient care, the patient comes first, not your ego. Check it at the door people.