Glad You Work Here

     What do you do? You're feeling the constraints of a tight budget, and you're a little depressed. Your people deserve more money. You're already spending too much of your own salary on things like meals for them, refreshments for meetings, birthday surprises and so on. They're doing their jobs, and morale doesn't seem to be a problem. But you just lost a fine paramedic to another department, and you know that was all about money.

     Answer: Whatever you do, don't pretend the money isn't important. Especially not to smart people with kids. They'll think you're an idiot. Although everybody's situation is different, the financial side of raising a family is serious business.

     On the other hand, reflect back on the people you've met in your own ambulance who obviously had lots of money. Or think about the people you know who enjoy the same circumstance. Do they (or did they) seem happy? Chances are, not so much. Some of the happiest people in life are anything but wealthy.

     People need money to get by, but they don't do what they do for the money. You certainly don't, if you're forfeiting your salary to make them happy. The choice of an employer is a complex one, and it does depend on a bottom-line mix of money and benefits. But especially in this business, it also depends on chemistry: the right mix of people and personalities, the quality of the equipment, the protocols, the schedule, the staffing, the facilities and, most of all, the viewable future.

     Here's something else it depends on, and it doesn't cost anybody a dime; it's simple appreciation. Some of our guests will never appreciate our efforts, no matter how hard we try to help them. Most are either unaware of what we do for them or are feeling so bad at the time, they forget to thank us. Thank your folks routinely, for the work they do and the things they put up with. Remind them how valuable they are. Tell them randomly and routinely, for no special reason at all, "I'm glad you work here." You'll be surprised by how much that means to people. Of course, you'll have to really mean it. They'll know if you do. Or, not.

Thom Dick is the quality care coordinator for Platte Valley Ambulance Service, a community-owned, hospital-based 9-1-1 provider in Brighton, CO. Reach him at boxcar_414@yahoo.com.