Opening scenario: The awkward shift
You walk into the station, coffee in hand, and glance up at the daily assignment board. Your heart sinks a bit when you see your name next to your least favorite coworker. Maybe it’s their tone, their know-it-all attitude, or how they always correct you in front of patients. It’s not personal — it’s just oil and water.
You give a polite nod, get in the truck, and say as little as possible. The air is thick with indifference. Then, halfway through the shift, the radio crackles: “Pediatric seizure. Code 3 response.” Suddenly, the awkwardness evaporates. Gloves go on, the monitor is prepped and you both fall into rhythm. It’s a high-stakes call, and your instincts kick in. Without needing to speak much, you move like a team. Because when it matters most, you both know the patient comes first.
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Why good relationships make good business sense
Over the course of my career, there have been partners that I just could not stand. On the flip side of that coin, I know there were partners that did not like working with me at all. This friction takes a toll when you’re working day in, day out for months. There has to be a way to put the relationship back on track and develop a friendly professional relationship.
We all know that the quality of your partner relationship can make or break your shift. But this isn’t just about making the day go by faster. There are real operational and clinical impacts tied to team dynamics.
1. Patient safety and care
When partners communicate well, patients receive better care. Misunderstandings during handoffs, transport or high-acuity situations can be dangerous. Team synergy helps reduce clinical errors and improves outcomes.
2. Retention and morale
Toxic work environments are a major reason EMS professionals leave the field. Poor interpersonal dynamics increase stress and lead to burnout. Even the most skilled medics will walk away if their work environment feels hostile or isolating.
| MORE: Burnout in EMS: Recognize it, fight it, overcome it
3. Operational efficiency
When crews work well together, everything flows better — scene times are shorter, transitions are smoother and documentation is handled efficiently. Poor relationships slow everything down.
4. Reputation and patient perception
Patients and their families notice how crews interact. Bickering in the truck or cold, passive-aggressive behavior during calls reflects poorly on your agency and erodes public trust.
5. Leadership development
EMS is full of future leaders. Learning how to manage difficult working relationships is essential to supervisory roles. If you can’t collaborate with someone you don’t like, you’ll struggle to lead others who don’t like each other.
In short, professional partnerships aren’t about friendship — they’re about functionality. The business of EMS demands cohesion, even when personalities don’t align.
How to work with someone you don’t like
Dislike is human. But EMS is not the place to let emotions dictate our actions or performance. Here are 8 key ways to manage difficult partnerships and still get the job done well:
1. Start with respect
Mutual respect is the foundation for all teamwork. You may not admire their personality, but respect their training, experience and the fact that they share your mission. Respect shows up in tone, in listening and in not talking behind their back.
Tip: Start the shift with a firm handshake or “Let’s make it a good one today.” It signals you’re here for the work, not the drama.
2. Clarify expectations early
Disagreements often start with assumptions. Avoid that by setting clear expectations up front: who’s driving, who’s lead and how you’ll handle calls. These small agreements prevent bigger issues later.
Tip: Use language like, “Hey, I’ll take lead on the first half of the day — cool if you handle the back half?” Set the tone for a shared workload.
3. Don’t take the bait
Some people push buttons. Whether it’s sarcasm, dismissiveness or passive jabs, don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you react. You stay professional even if they don’t.
Tip: Use tactical silence. A calm “Noted” or redirecting the conversation back to the call can diffuse a potential argument.
4. Focus on the work, not the personality
Shift your thinking: this isn’t a battle of personalities. It’s a mission-focused relationship. The patient doesn’t care about your conflict — they just want competent care.
Tip: Keep your thoughts on the task. “What does this patient need from me?” is a better mental loop than “I can’t stand my partner.”
5. Use communication as a tool, not a weapon
Clear, calm communication builds trust — even with people you don’t like. Avoid sarcasm, accusation, or one-upping. Focus on accurate, professional dialogue.
Tip: Start tough conversations with, “Help me understand ... ” or “I noticed during that last call ... ” This language is less likely to provoke defensiveness.
6. Take breaks to reset
Downtime is a great time to mentally reset. If you’re frustrated, step away during station breaks. Listen to music. Take a walk. Do what you need to return to the truck with a clearer head.
Tip: Build a ritual that calms you — breathing, stretching or a playlist. Use breaks intentionally, not just habitually.
7. Keep it off social media
Even light jokes or memes can escalate workplace drama if it’s clear who they’re aimed at. What seems funny to one person can create long-term trust issues with another.
Tip: If you wouldn’t say it to their face or in front of your chief, don’t post it.
8. Know when to ask for help
If things escalate — especially into disrespect, safety concerns or harassment — loop in your chain of command or HR. Conflict resolution is part of professional EMS culture.
Tip: Document issues factually. “On June 3 at 08:00, partner said XYZ during call #54872” is much more effective than “They’re always rude.”
Scenario revisited: A better shift
Same assignment. Same uneasy pairing. But this time, you did things differently.
You greeted your partner and asked how they wanted to divide the shift. You kept conversation work focused. When tensions rose, you took a short break outside. On the pediatric seizure call, you handed off supplies smoothly and gave clear, calm updates during transport.
No personal bonding happened. But there was no drama, either. Just professionalism.
By the end of the shift, you’d both done your jobs well — and the patient had excellent care. And while you may never hang out off-duty, you left with your reputation — and sanity — intact.
When professionalism wins
EMS is not about liking everyone — it’s about functioning with everyone. Good patient care, safe practices and a healthy team environment require emotional intelligence, not emotional reactions.
When you learn how to work well with people you don’t like, you grow as a clinician and as a leader. More importantly, you uphold the core values of the profession: service, safety and respect.
Sometimes, the strongest teams aren’t the ones who get along best — they’re the ones who rise above the friction and get the mission done.
| MORE: EMS life: Stuck in an ambulance with your work enemy?
