Bill Bailey is proud of his work, and gives it everything he has.
In brief, Bailey鈥檚 a paramedic, a fitness instructor, a licensing examiner, and an International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) instructor and co-ordinator. And that鈥檚 just the short list.
So to be honoured with an award for his commitment to teaching others, is, in his words, 鈥渁 really big deal.鈥�
Bailey, 63, has been awarded the 2017 ITLS Instructor of the Year, specifically for excellence in teaching and innovation in the ITLS Program. 鈥淚 am very honoured I鈥檝e gotten this award,鈥� he says, relaxing on a day off at his Promontory home. But it鈥檚 not the award he really wants to talk about. It鈥檚 the success of the program he鈥檚 helped deliver throughout B.C., the country and the world that he鈥檚 really passionate about.
ITLS is a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing death and disability from trauma through education and emergency trauma care. It鈥檚 a 鈥減re-hospital鈥� trauma program with more than 90 chapters and training centres in over 35 countries around the world. And Bailey has been instrumental in helping grow the program, through creating courses that cater to the many types of responders they teach.
鈥淭his is my forte,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a standardized Canadian course but I have the ability to modify the group for the client.鈥�
Bailey travels around the world to teach instructors how to deliver the programs, to places like Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. He travels around the province, too, instructing teams like heart transplant nurses with critical care transport, military medics, Corrections staff, nursing staff, outpost nurses in northern B.C. and the Yukon, other B.C. paramedics, fire departments, and emergency department physicians.
When it comes to teaching the transplant team, for example, he studies their protocol to make sure his course is relatable, and usable.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 where the innovation comes in,鈥� he says. 鈥淭his is about moving beyond instructing paramedics and fire departments. My teaching style fits the clientele.鈥�
He has taught most of the B.C. paramedics, as an instructor through the Justice Institute of B.C. for the past 25 years or so. And he鈥檚 happy to be based out of Chilliwack, now as a part-time paramedic. Over the years, he has seen students grow and become team leaders themselves.
鈥淐hilliwack has some of the best instructors,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd I think I鈥檝e been a good, positive influence.鈥�
He knows his personal delivery can be very straightforward. But it has to be. Delivering trauma care is a fast-paced situation where confidence is key, and he tries to instill the knowledge and quick-decision making into his students.
Hesitations could mean the difference between life and death, in the most extreme situations.
鈥淵ou could say I鈥檓 honest to a fault,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 say let鈥檚 get to the chase. If you have to get in and plug a hole in a chest with your finger, you plug a hole in that chest with your finger.鈥�
He first got into medicine as a nurse, where he worked alongside his wife, Lorraine at Chilliwack General Hospital. He quickly realized he wasn鈥檛 happy with that role, and sought out a change. With his wife鈥檚 support, he changed careers and has been teaching since 1991.
Her support, and the support of their children all these years, has allowed Bailey to pursue this globe-hopping, highly demanding line of work. In fact, he says, his only regret is that he鈥檚 had to miss important moments with them over the years.
And the highlight of his days? When he arrives at a call, and it鈥檚 a friend or a neighbour that he can take care of. To see a patient鈥檚 face relax, knowing they will be cared for like family, makes it worth the while.
There is always a demand for more paramedics, and Bailey is sure he鈥檒l be there to train many more. He has this advice:
鈥淚t鈥檚 not all lights and sirens. You are working with sick people in their difficult times. It鈥檚 not exciting. It can be sad, and depressing, but happy and hard work. It鈥檚 not pleasant but it is rewarding.鈥�
The 2017 ITLS Conference is coming up on Nov. 3-5, in Quebec City.
