Doing EMT for EC: paid vs volunteer?

[jonessoda]

Just a quick question, really. Working as an EMT has been highly recommended to me as a way to get the ECs as a pre-med, which is why I'm currently in training for EMT-B.

But in the city around my college, as far as I know, the only EMS is a corporate one that contracts to the city, no volunteer ones (although there is a volunteer service in the surrounding county, which may be a little less violent, but I can't get reliable transportation out there). Now, that's fine by me, because as your average broke college student, I could use a job. But will your average admissions guy care if it was volunteer or for pay?

Of course, I'll do it either way, and either way I'll also do some other volunteer work.

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[epr1]

Just a quick question, really. Working as an EMT has been highly recommended to me as a way to get the ECs as a pre-med, which is why I'm currently in training for EMT-B.

But in the city around my college, as far as I know, the only EMS is a corporate one that contracts to the city, no volunteer ones (although there is a volunteer service in the surrounding county, which may be a little less violent, but I can't get reliable transportation out there). Now, that's fine by me, because as your average broke college student, I could use a job. But will your average admissions guy care if it was volunteer or for pay?

Of course, I'll do it either way, and either way I'll also do some other volunteer work.

I doubt that they'll care. If you're working in the city you'll have patients in the back of that rig non stop so that'll be hard earned money.

Depending on the city, NYC vs. Rochester for example, it's going to be really tough for a starting out EMT to get on a city ambulance (from my personal experience).

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Working as an EMT has been highly recommended to me as a way to get the ECs as a pre-med, which is why I'm currently in training for EMT-B.

That's questionable advice at best.......

 

[epr1]

Working as an EMT has been highly recommended to me as a way to get the ECs as a pre-med, which is why I'm currently in training for EMT-B./QUOTE]

That's questionable advice at best.......

why so? Genuine question

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Well, quite frankly, it's not very original and really does not make a major impact upon ADCOMs- at least in the short term manner most premeds utilize it. Now if you've done it for the better part of a decade, maybe it might be noteworthy but that is infrequent at best among premeds.

My major concern- speaking as someone who has worked as an EMS instructor and supervisor- is that the field winds up with rapid turnover and the resources for education are wasted on those who never intend to use it for anything other than a bullet on their AMCAS application. EMS is slowly dying the death of a thousand papercuts in the opinion of many senior personnel and continually flooding the market with low rent workers is a major part of what prevents it from being taken seriously as a profession.

 

[DreamyKid]

what exactly is EMS? I'm kind of confused. I will be volunteering for emergency service at a hospital over the summer, and it requires like an online training thing. But is that the same thing as EMS? Whats the difference between one who works in the hospital as opposed to one who works in the ambulance, or one who works in a fire station (Is this what EMT-B is for?)

I was always confused about all this...

 

[gotmeds?]

Well, quite frankly, it's not very original and really does not make a major impact upon ADCOMs- at least in the short term manner most premeds utilize it. Now if you've done it for the better part of a decade, maybe it might be noteworthy but that is infrequent at best among premeds.

My major concern- speaking as someone who has worked as an EMS instructor and supervisor- is that the field winds up with rapid turnover and the resources for education are wasted on those who never intend to use it for anything other than a bullet on their AMCAS application. EMS is slowly dying the death of a thousand papercuts in the opinion of many senior personnel and continually flooding the market with low rent workers is a major part of what prevents it from being taken seriously as a profession.

I can kinda see your point but I figure if he wants to be an EMT to puff up his CV, there's really no harm in it. The EMT job has already become a stepping stone for better work -- usually fire or paramedic, but to a certain extent also med school. Unfortunately, this means that EMTs are often undepaid, underexperienced, and undedicated to a job that they regard as little more than a temporary diversion. Then again, you can't really complain when you're trying to make a career out of a job that only requires 140 hours of training.

Anyway, if you want to work as an EMT, go right ahead. It may help your application a little bit, but probably not much. Who knows, you may actually enjoy it. Maybe you'll even walk away with some newfound respect for fire and EMS (but that's probably hoping for way too much).

 

[DropkickMurphy]

what exactly is EMS? I'm kind of confused. I will be volunteering for emergency service at a hospital over the summer, and it requires like an online training thing. But is that the same thing as EMS? Whats the difference between one who works in the hospital as opposed to one who works in the ambulance, or one who works in a fire station (Is this what EMT-B is for?)

I was always confused about all this...

I have no idea what you're doing (chances are you're not going to be treating anyone with only online training- at least I hope the hell not), but that is not EMS. EMS is- to use a strict definition- the loose conglomeration of companies and agencies that provide transportation to ,from and between hospitals both in emergencies and under non-urgent circumstances.

The basic breakdown of EMS training in the US (there may be some local variations, but this gives you a ballpark idea)
First responder or Emergency Care Attendant= 25-60 hrs of didactic training
EMT-Basic= 140-170hrs of classroom training plus clinical time
EMT-I= EMT + an additional 100-250 hrs classroom training plus clinical time
EMT-P= EMT + an additional 1,000-1,800+ hrs of classroom training plus clinicals

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Anyway, if you want to work as an EMT, go right ahead. It may help your application a little bit, but probably not much. Who knows, you may actually enjoy it. Maybe you'll even walk away with some newfound respect for fire and EMS (but that's probably hoping for way too much).

I am the last one to discourage a person who is qualified and competent (two seperate things, let me assure you!) from serving in EMS. Most communities need good EMS providers desperately. What I find depressing is that many people- especially those who are using it as a means of getting into the fire service or med school- do a less than commendable job because it is not their ultimate goal, or expect to be lauded for every little thing they do.

Go into EMS knowing these things and you will do fine:
-Never forget you are not gracing the patient with your presence, but rather they are allowing you into their lives at a moment that may be terrifying, embarrassing or the last thing they ever experience.
-Never lie to a patient. It always comes back to bite you in the ass.
-Anyone who seriously says they are dying, chances are they are right.
-If a man calls for an ambulance for himself over a medical problem, something is seriously wrong.
-95% of people get into EMS for 5% of the calls (the traumas, the gunshot wounds, cardiac arrests, etc); the ~5% of us who stay in it more than 10 years (I hit my 11 year mark last month) have for the most part learned that the exciting calls leave you feeling empty in the long run. We have learned to be sustained by the simple calls we can actually do something for (the diabetics, the lonely little old ladies who call just because they want someone to talk to, etc).
-If you aren't scared when a patient goes south, it's time to find other work.
-Learning what to do is easy, learning when to not do or say anything is the hard part.
-You can be the smartest person in the world, but if you don't let the patient know they are your primary concern at the time you're caring for them, it doesn't mean anything.

I may come across as a cold, heartless bastard on here most of the time, but if you (or anyone) has any questions about EMS or a call, feel free to PM me and I will be happy to help you or refer you to someone who can.

 

[146233]

-Anyone who seriously says they are dying, chances are they are right.

In my nearly 10 years in EMS, this never ceases to creep me out. Just last week someone was up, walking, and eating a bag of chips when we arrived for his "chest pain". In the rig, he was talkin' away when all of the sudden -- in mid-sentence -- he says, "I'm out, boss," and coded. Sure as the sun rises, he died. Eerie s#*t.

-z

P.S. - I went into EMS for the money.

 

[scrubsaresexy]

Go into EMS knowing these things and you will do fine:
-Never forget you are not gracing the patient with your presence, but rather they are allowing you into their lives at a moment that may be terrifying, embarrassing or the last thing they ever experience.
-Never lie to a patient. It always comes back to bite you in the ass.
-Anyone who seriously says they are dying, chances are they are right.
-If a man calls for an ambulance for himself over a medical problem, something is seriously wrong.
-95% of people get into EMS for 5% of the calls (the traumas, the gunshot wounds, cardiac arrests, etc); the ~5% of us who stay in it more than 10 years (I hit my 11 year mark last month) have for the most part learned that the exciting calls leave you feeling empty in the long run. We have learned to be sustained by the simple calls we can actually do something for (the diabetics, the lonely little old ladies who call just because they want someone to talk to, etc).
-If you aren't scared when a patient goes south, it's time to find other work.
-Learning what to do is easy, learning when to not do or say anything is the hard part.
-You can be the smartest person in the world, but if you don't let the patient know they are your primary concern at the time you're caring for them, it doesn't mean anything.

That was really helpful! I'm taking an EMT-B crash course over the summer (it's the only way I can take it with the weird schedules I have during the school year), and I'm really excited about it. Then again, I plan taking FF1 within the next year, and being an active member of my local vollie fire dept for as long as humanly possibly, so I'm not really doing it just for my med school app. Incidently, I wanted to be an volunteer EMT long before I wanted to be doctor 🙂

But anyway, those were some of the most helpful 'how to not suck as an EMT' tips that I've read, so thanks!

 

[comets8518]

Well, quite frankly, it's not very original and really does not make a major impact upon ADCOMs- at least in the short term manner most premeds utilize it. Now if you've done it for the better part of a decade, maybe it might be noteworthy but that is infrequent at best among premeds.

My major concern- speaking as someone who has worked as an EMS instructor and supervisor- is that the field winds up with rapid turnover and the resources for education are wasted on those who never intend to use it for anything other than a bullet on their AMCAS application. .

I think this is valid for a lot of people and its unfortunate the bad reasons people get into it for, and just aren't good medical providers bc of it. I know many that got into just for the flashing lights. however I think EMT is a nice route to go if done for the right reasons. Its a relatively quick way to get a relatively large amount of exposure to medicine. Its really what got me to be certain medicine was the field I wanted to be in.
I also believe that having been an EMT is beneficial for those that want to go the EM and/or medical director route. Working your way up from the bottom gives experiences and a different outlook then just starting out as the MD.


I don't believe it helped me too much (didn't hurt though) during my interviews though. the question 'what medical experience do you have" was answered by I worked here, volunteered here, ran this, taught this, but it all went back to EMS/EMT and they all kept asking, well was that all you did? (never mind it was atleast 25 hours a week during full time school year)

 

[Wackie]

But anyway, those were some of the most helpful 'how to not suck as an EMT' tips that I've read, so thanks!

Just remember that you are a servant to your patient and part of a big huge team to help your patient. A nurse or doc will yell at you about something if you're in for long enough. Just smile and use it as constructive criticism instead of going off the handle about how nobody knows how to do your job or talking down to someone.
There is no room for big egos. If you start thinking you're the ****, your ass is about to get handed to you hard and fast.

 

[pmdc222]

Hey guys - I'm new to SDN, but I just thought I'd offer my insight into this. I'm a nontraditional student who has been in EMS for 7 yrs and I currently work as a paramedic as well as teach. I think that if you are truly interested in working on an ambulance, then it is a great way to get experience with patient assessment, bedside manner, and familiarity with disease processes. I think that medical school admissions look at it in two ways: It well regarded if you are really involved in the EMS community (ie work a significant amount of time, teach, continually update different certifications). If you show that it is a passion for you and that it has taught you significant lessons, then it becomes a highlight of your application. I think that when people just take the class to put it on their resume and never really work, then admissions see this and aren't especially enthusiastic. So, if its something that you are truly interested in beyond making your application look good, then totally go for it -- there's nothing I would recommend more! But beware, once you get into it, there's no way to shake it. 🙂

 

[acrunchyfrog]

I am the last one to discourage a person who is qualified and competent (two seperate things, let me assure you!) from serving in EMS. Most communities need good EMS providers desperately. What I find depressing is that many people- especially those who are using it as a means of getting into the fire service or med school- do a less than commendable job because it is not their ultimate goal, or expect to be lauded for every little thing they do.

Go into EMS knowing these things and you will do fine:
-Never forget you are not gracing the patient with your presence, but rather they are allowing you into their lives at a moment that may be terrifying, embarrassing or the last thing they ever experience.
-Never lie to a patient. It always comes back to bite you in the ass.
-Anyone who seriously says they are dying, chances are they are right.
-If a man calls for an ambulance for himself over a medical problem, something is seriously wrong.
-95% of people get into EMS for 5% of the calls (the traumas, the gunshot wounds, cardiac arrests, etc); the ~5% of us who stay in it more than 10 years (I hit my 11 year mark last month) have for the most part learned that the exciting calls leave you feeling empty in the long run. We have learned to be sustained by the simple calls we can actually do something for (the diabetics, the lonely little old ladies who call just because they want someone to talk to, etc).
-If you aren't scared when a patient goes south, it's time to find other work.
-Learning what to do is easy, learning when to not do or say anything is the hard part.
-You can be the smartest person in the world, but if you don't let the patient know they are your primary concern at the time you're caring for them, it doesn't mean anything.

QUOTE]


👍👍
/8 years in volunteer EMS