I've worked here for 3 years and I will honestly tell you that I've enjoyed it primarily because I love being a Paramedic and treating and interacting with the patients. What I don't like is the workplace . Miami Dade Ambulance has a lot of potential and is currently expanding but its missing key components. This is what I noticed: Vital medications are often times out of stock, A lot of Medications within the box are often times expired, the time to clean and check the truck has been shortened to 15 minutes and this is not a sufficient amount of time to check the medications box, cardiac monitor, Iv pump, components within the cabinet, oxygen and backboard let alone clean the truck. But that isn't a concern to the managers because it's all about the $$$. 30 percent of the employees who drive that I've worked with, do one of the many things listed while driving speed (occasionally way into 80mph), watch movies while driving, text while driving, aggressive driving tactics like going lights and sirens while trailing directly behind a vehicle, 3 people I know of regularly fall asleep behind the wheel while driving( 1 of them was removed as a driver only after hitting 4 vehicles), or bag calls aka receiving a call and replying to dispatch but not responding to call until moments after could be more than 30 minutes. How can all of this be avoided? By placing dash cameras facing inside the truck and out and using tracking alongside regular drug screens. Dispatchers who receive calls need training. They obtain very little information from the facility or patient. It's very common to arrive at the pickup location and not be equipped with the necessary equipment to transfer or treat a patient. Paramedics EMTs and Drivers often times do not clean the stretcher, equipment used on patient or change the sheet between patients. Therefore there is a high chance of spreading communicable diseases which is especially detrimental to patients who are immunocompromised and have difficulty fighting and treating infections. like patients who have cancer, diabetes or HIV. Factors which can cause more complications for those patients. Lastly, inadequate used vehicles which are put together by other inadequate vehicle parts. These vehicles often times will stop at random locations or won't even start to begin with. The A/C occasionally doesn't work nor is the filter ever replaced. Ideally I wish for improvements to be made at this company so that they can reach their potential and the patients can receive the best treatment possible. read more
