Over my 13 years in EMS, I have collected virtually all of the letters one can, and I am able to put more initials behind my name than are in my name. And I'm German. I have spent over 10 years of post high school education earning them. They include a BS, MPH, NREMT, CCEMT-P, FPC, PNCCT, CICP, RN, BSN, CCRN and some others I am certain that I am forgetting. My certifications do not garner me on ounce of respect, however, as I have been known to miss intubations and blow IVs. And, on that note, were you to be impressed by my certifications and/or title alone, I would be suspect. The bottom line is, there is nothing that the Paramedic who just sewed his patch on his shirt can't do that I can. Period. We all intubate, pump on chests, stick needles in veins and give medications. And yes, we all even drive the ambulance. Our colleagues know who the “Master” medics are. And that's the way it should be. I strive for excellence in care, and deeper knowledge, not your respect or awe.

The more we bitch and moan about being called “ambulance drivers” and wanting national unions or groups or whatever, the further behind the 8 ball we get. The only way to get ahead in our business is to continually show your colleagues that you are more intelligent than your job requires.

I feel much better now. Thank you so much.

Acknowledgement by Peers: The Master Paramedic or EMT should have the support and admiration of his colleagues, coworkers, and peers and should be able to get them to vouch for him or her when asked.

Up until then I was on board.

A person is respected or admired based on their actions. Not their title.

I read your comment here on my blackberry while waiting in line for lunch during the back half of my 48hr shift. We're picking up burritos after working a GI bleed.

Why am I saying this? Well, I wanted some personal back story before I dropped this. When I read your comment I thought: “Here is a guy who just doesn't get it”. I don't necessarily mean that as an insult. I don't mean that you don't get the post, I mean you don't get the whole EMS thing. Sure, you may be an exemplary medic, or EMT, or what have you (although, I'm guessing EMT) but in your comments I read that you think that all paramedics, EMTs, and EMS in general do is play the role of “Cookbook Following Skills Monkey” and that experience and farther-than-base knowledge doesn't do all that much for patient care… And well, respectfully, that means that your perspective is limited by either your own ego or your own lack of experience. It could be a fault of your preceptors or your service… But I could also blame the pervasive attitude among some EMS people to downplay the skills truly required to master the job and downplay those who strive for true mastery.

That attitude, the belief that this EMS stuff isn't all that important and the belief that “I have a medic patch now!! I'm just as good as THAT guy with the grey hair!” Are dangerous. Time to rethink some things.

Sorry, I don't usually attack back on my commenters, but you caught me on a 100hr work week with barely any sleep. I'm cranky.