EMT-B certification

[KristenD77]

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Hello everyone, during my gap year I plan to take a 4 month EMT-B training program at a cuny. I want to do this because I think it will be an awesome experience but I have some concerns about the job market for EMTS in NY that are not apart of the FDNY. I was wondering how long it takes most people to find a job as an EMT at a NY hospital. I know that I can work as a volunteer EMT but after spending all of that money I want to be sure that I can find a job.

 

[kyamh]

Can't speak for NY EMT, but paying to get a certification for a career you don't see yourself invested in for the long term doesn't sound like a good plan. Whatever experience you would get as an EMT (and most of it will be drunks and fallen down senior citizens) you will certainly get several times over during your future medical training.

 

[Dr Turkelton]

Just got to work after a 24 hour shift at the rescue squad and I wouldn't trade it for anything. For some reason premeds/medical students seem to look down on EMS but I can tell you that it's an extremely rewarding thing to do. While you do see a lot of BS, when you're running that cardiac arrest or MVC at 3am it makes it all worth it. Even the more mundane things like fallen old people, drug OD's or psych cases can be extremely rewarding as well.


That being said, I highly doubt you'll be able to find work right away with an EMT-B in NYC. I'm not too familiar with the EMS landscape there but I assume it's extremely saturated like any other big city. I volunteer nights and weekends on top of a day job doing research and am really enjoying my gap year so far.

 

[The Brown Knight]

I think EMS has been a great experience for me, but I second what kyamh said. If you are planning on taking only one gap year, you aren't going to get much out of EMS job. Having said that, I think EMS companies in big cities look for some kind of past EMS experience, but I could be wrong.

 

[Great White Buffalo]

I did EMT-B, but volunteered at the Red Cross for the first aid support team. Did it for a couple of years, great experience. Would recommend that. Getting a job when you have a short time horizon would be tough.

 

[cidem2065]

Large, urban services are often unfortunately unionized, so there are a lot of barriers for getting in the door for a short term job and volunteering is out of the question. You are guaranteed to find something paid or volunteer if you check out companies in the suburbs out on the Island, Westchester, or North Jersey.