Miami County EMS “Our Code”

Miami County EMS “Our Code” Jason M. Jenkins Chief

Objectives • Have a working knowledge of the EMT Oath • Have an understanding of the EMT Code of Ethics • Understand the Miami County EMS Mission statement • Be familiar with “Our Code” at Miami County EMS • Work through some scenarios that have moral and ethical dilemmas

Morals • Where do they come from? • What determines if they are right or wrong? • Can someone change your morals?

Morals • of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: • founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on legalities, enactment, or custom

Ethics • Can someone change your ethics? • Where do your ethics come from? • What’s the difference between an ethic and a moral?

Ethics • the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.: • moral principles, as of an individual: His ethics forbade betrayal of a confidence.

EMT Oath • Be it pledged as an Emergency Medical Technician, I will honor the physical and judicial laws of God and man. I will follow that regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of patients and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, nor shall I suggest any such counsel. Into whatever homes I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of only the sick and injured, never revealing what I see or hear in the lives of men unless required by law.

EMT Oath • I shall also share my medical knowledge with those who may benefit from what I have learned. I will serve unselfishly and continuously in order to help make a better world for all mankind.

EMT Oath • While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life, and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times. Should I trespass or violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot. So help me God.

Code of Ethics • Professional status as an Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic is maintained and enriched by the willingness of the individual practitioner to accept and fulfill obligations to society, other medical professionals, and the profession of Emergency Medical Technician. As an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic, I solemnly pledge myself to the following code of professional ethics:

Code of Ethic • A fundamental responsibility of the Emergency Medical Technician is to conserve life, to alleviate suffering, to promote health, to do no harm, and to encourage the quality and equal availability of emergency medical care.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician provides services based on human need, with respect for human dignity, unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race, creed, color, or status.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician does not use professional knowledge and skills in any enterprise detrimental to the public well being.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician respects and holds in confidence all information of a confidential nature obtained in the course of professional work unless required by law to divulge such information.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician, as a citizen, understands and upholds the law and performs the duties of citizenship; as a professional, the Emergency Medical Technician has the never-ending responsibility to work with concerned citizens and other health care professionals in promoting a high standard of emergency medical care to all people.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician shall maintain professional competence and demonstrate concern for the competence of other members of the Emergency Medical Services health care team.

Code of Ethic • An Emergency Medical Technician assumes responsibility in defining and upholding standards of professional practice and education.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician assumes responsibility for individual professional actions and judgment, both in dependent and independent emergency functions, and knows and upholds the laws which affect the practice of the Emergency Medical Technician.

Code of Ethic • An Emergency Medical Technician has the responsibility to be aware of and participate in matters of legislation affecting the Emergency Medical Service System.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician, or groups of Emergency Medical Technicians, who advertise professional service, do so in conformity with the dignity of the profession.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician has an obligation to protect the public by not delegating to a person less qualified, any service which requires the professional competence of an Emergency Medical Technician

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician will work harmoniously with and sustain confidence in Emergency Medical Technician associates, the nurses, the physicians, and other members of the Emergency Medical Services health care team.

Code of Ethic • The Emergency Medical Technician refuses to participate in unethical procedures, and assumes the responsibility to expose incompetence or unethical conduct of others to the appropriate authority in a proper and professional manner.

Our Mission • To provide emergency medical services commensurate with the expertise of it’s Medical Director, the staff of the EMS and the facility’s resources. These services will be provided to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

Our Mission • Develop relationships with other EMS providers to assure continuity of care to patients who cannot or should not be treated by Miami County EMS, to insure that the county’s emergency medical health needs are met.

Our Mission • Evaluate, on a continuous basis, the changing EMS system and the county’s appropriate role in terms of quality, cost, and access.

Our Mission • Miami County EMS through the County Commission, Chief, and Staff shall, on continuing basis, establish goals and objectives consistent with this stated mission.

Scenario #1 • Your unit is dispatched to a MVC. Upon arrival your patient requires extrication out of the vehicle. She is A&O x3 and is stable. The patient is in possession of her purse, and SO requests you obtain her drivers license. In the purse you see a bag of weed. Do you tell the Sheriff’s Department?

“Our Code” • EMS will challenge you on it’s personal and professional level. The intent of “Our Code” is to help guide the employees through some of those challenges. “Our Code” is advice that has been learned the hard way, through trial and error—success and failure. Be wise enough to learn from others.

“Our Code” • The success you experience at Miami County EMS will depend on how well you understand the elements in this presentation and apply them to your personal and professional life.

Keep your ego in check • Maybe you’re nice enough. But why do you struggle to “fit in?” A common culprit: is ego. Beware of the following rapport ruining behaviors:

Playing “topper.” • When someone tells a funny anecdote, don’t rush to top it. Example: Joe discusses his kid’s soccer game. You pipe up and brag about how your kid scored the winning goal last weekend.

Lecturing • A co-worker shares his struggles trying to master a new skill. You should nod and empathize, but instead you interrupt to give unsolicited advice. Even if you’re an expert and you’re itching to chime in, wait until someone asks for help.

Taking yourself too seriously • A good natured colleague gently jokes about a mistake you made. Don’t take offense or defend yourself. Laugh along. It’s OK.

Rid yourself of labels • Your colleagues label everyone from the the “bean counters” to the “paper pushers.” Don’t join in. Refer to each department by name (“finance”, “human resources”) without the cute moniker. You never know who’s going to take offense.

Acknowledge your mistakes • everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes we say things that can be taken wrong or unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings. The simple fix is to acknowledge it and say you’re sorry and mean it. This will demonstrate maturity and character.

Wait until the right time to provide input • when you have an idea, realize that it might not be the right time to share it. If it makes someone else look bad in front of a group or translates into you looking like a “Know-it-All,” the best course is to wait until another time or bring it up with your Lieutenant or Battalion Chief in private.

Follow the Chain-of-Command • Miami County EMS operates with a chain-of-command. That means that official requests or reports move through the department in a logical sequence from one rank to another. There are informal means of communicating ideas or suggestions within the department by casual conversations with the Chiefs. Regardless of the idea, it will undoubtedly flow through the chain-of-command or flow through a committee review process.

You are your Brother’s Keeper • In this profession you are expected to look out for your counterparts. You are expected to be honest and demonstrate integrity. Integrity is following through on what you say you will. You will lose respect within the department if you don’t practice integrity everyday.

Spend your working hours… • Talking about golf will probably not make you a better EMT or Paramedic.

There are three rules that supersede all other rules: • 1) Do right • 2) Treat Others Like You Would Like To Be Treated • 3) Do Your Best • You will be held to these without exception by those you work with.

Know what is expected of you • do it, and then do a little more than what was expected.

Learn something new everyday • Those that have been in EMS for over 28 years at times feel that they have just scratched the surface of the knowledge required to be great in EMS. Always learn something new every chance you get.

If it doesn’t have your name on it • LEAVE IT ALONE

Read everything • you find about EMS, listen to advice and “war stories” from fellow EMTs and paramedics, and observe everything around you at a call or accident scene. Remember what works and what does not.

Don’t leave dishes in the sink • You’re mother should have taught you better. Also, pick up after yourself. The reputation of a slob is hard to discard.

Shine • your shoes

An EMT/Paramedic • should be able to trust you with his life, his wife, and his money. Violate any one of them and you’re done.

It’s better to give than receive • Help a co-worker out when you can, but don’t expect much in return. EMS “folks” like most people will soon forget a favor received, until they need you again. Just enjoy the good feeling of helping others, that’s why you are in the business.

Miami County EMS “Our Code”