First day on the job

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Almost Firefighter

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I finally got hired after about two to three weeks of job hunting. I'm doing IFT's and I was told a lot of my patients would be 5150's. I'm a new grad and this is my first paid gig as a driver. Do any of you have any suggestions for the first day on the job? I start tomorrow! Thanks ALL!
 
Welcome to EMTLife!

Listen to your partner.
Don't rush into a scene.
Breathe.
 
Don't kill anyone.

Listen to your patient.

Not ALL 5150s need restraints as my company seems to think. It seems the majority of the ones I've transported are kids with messed up home lives who say they want to hurt themselves just to escape it for a few days.
 
adamjh3 said:
Don't kill anyone.

Listen to your patient.

Not ALL 5150s need restraints as my company seems to think. It seems the majority of the ones I've transported are kids with messed up home lives who say they want to hurt themselves just to escape it for a few days.
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+1000000000

Ive had quite a few Ped patients who are just messed up from home lives..


but ive also picked up a few drunkards from the Police Station... those guys neeed restraints :-)
 
lampnyter said:
may i ask what a 5150 is? never heard that term
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5150 is a 72 hour psychiatric evaluation hold, PD, MD, and I think a social worker can put a patient on a 5150 if they are gravely disabled, danger to themselves, or a danger to others.
 
lampnyter said:
may i ask what a 5150 is? never heard that term
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It's the seventh album put out by Van Halen.

It's also the California section code for involuntary psychiatric hold.

Wikipedia
 
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somePerson said:
5150 is a 72 hour psychiatric evaluation hold, PD, MD, and I think a social worker can put a patient on a 5150 if they are gravely disabled, danger to themselves, or a danger to others.
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I Belive Social Workers can not

but an RN can as well
 
Almost Firefighter said:
I finally got hired after about two to three weeks of job hunting. I'm doing IFT's and I was told a lot of my patients would be 5150's. I'm a new grad and this is my first paid gig as a driver. Do any of you have any suggestions for the first day on the job? I start tomorrow! Thanks ALL!
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Congrats on the hire! Three weeks is nothing, it took me almost three months!
 
All the above tips are quite valid... Remember - your safety comes first! Never get complacent and let your guard down - that's when "the worst case" will happen
 
Gonna go ahead and throw this in here. My instructor has been testing a theory of his in practice that if you make the patient agree not to hurt themselves or you for the duration of the trip and then make them shake on it, they are much less likely to try anything. Seems people are extremely reluctant to break their word, even if they would have happily smacked you otherwise.
 
Where did you get hired? I'm not trying to swoop on any positions, i'm just wondering if your a new hire with the company I work with?

Are you in Ca?
 
MusicMedic said:
I Belive Social Workers can not

but an RN can as well
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The California Welfare and Institutions Code specifically designates Law Enforcement Officers as being able to take someone into custody by 5150 application. Each County also may designate certain non-LE personnel that may also fill out a 5150 application. Sacramento County designates the following personnel:
The minimum qualifications to become a 5150 Designee include these disciplines:
A. Licensed Physician
B. Licensed Psychologist
C. Licensed Clinical Social Worker
D. Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
E. Licensed Registered Nurse
F. Licensed Vocational Nurse
G. Licensed Psychiatric Technician
H. Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist, as defined by Title 9 California Code of Regulations and approved by the Mental Health Plan
I. Staff waived by the Mental Health Plan to provide services as a Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (not a category at Designated Facilities)
J. Authorized Medical Residents, and specifically designated staff at a 5150 Psychiatric Facility

5150 Designee: A mental health professional who has completed a County authorized 5150 Certification or Re-Certification Training and successfully passed the 5150 examination, or authorized staff at a 5150 designated facility, mobile crisis team, or other designated staff.
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Basically, the first list is who qualifies to take the 5150 certification course. The 5150 Psych Facility administrator may designate staff as well. Those people that are authorized to fill out a 5150 form KNOW they are able to do so because they are specifically designated by the County to do so, and not just because of their title. A LCSW, MFT, Psych Doc, Physician, RN, LVN... may NOT complete a 5150 simply because they hold a specific license or title. Theoretically, if a Paramedic was employed by a agency or organization that is 5150 authorized, that agency or organization could petition the County to authorize that Paramedic to become a 5150 designee.

In any event, your normal SNF RN or Acute Hospital or ED RN is generally NOT authorized to write a 5150 application.

Since this is done at the County level, each County's 5150 designee list WILL be different. The only constant throughout the State is that a Peace Officer (Sworn Officer who has completed a Basic Academy or a Parole Officer) can do the 5150.
 
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