For the EMTs out there

[LuciusVorenus]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

How hard was it finding a job?

Is it a crapshoot because of the economy right now? Is there a shortage?

 

[Mbeas]

funny you ask...I'm looking for a job now (and have been looking for weeks).

I think it partly depends on your certification. If you are a paramedic, I presume it would be easier (not necessarily easy) to find a job because you have a much greater scope of practice and skill set.

I am an EMT-B and in my area it is hard finding a job. I've applied to an ER tech job and I am looking into medical transport. But yea, its not particularly easy to find a job, especially when you are so limited in your skills.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

funny you ask...I'm looking a job now.

I think it partly depends on your certification. If you are a paramedic, I presume it would be easier (not necessarily easy) to find a job because you have a much greater scope of practice and skill set.

I am an EMT-B and in my area it is hard finding a job. I've applied to an ER tech job and I am looking into medical transport. But yea, its not particularly easy to find a job, especially when you are so limited in your skills.

I guess what sucks is I don't live in a huge county like LA or SF 🙁

I hear LA has an actual shortage

 

[TheFogHat]

When I was looking around I noticed that most EMT-B jobs seemed to be in rural locations. The bigger cities seemed to only want medics. However, my local red cross had an EMS team which I volunteered on for a long time. It was good medical volunteering experience and I was able to attend lots of hockey games, concerts, festivals, and fun stuff like that. It was a perfect entry level experience. Also, I noticed that lots of summer camps like to hire EMT's as nurse assistants. I would look into that as well. Good Luck!👍

 

[Mbeas]

I hear LA has an actual shortage

Could be. I live near a large city and its still hard to find a job. I think I might take some classes this fall to upgrade my skills.

What's your cert.?

 

[NHBPFA5]

effing difficult...

I've never been employed with my EMT license. I've used it for volunteer work though. Other people have had better luck that I know. But I've been like all over the place or too busy for someone to hire me for such a short time (like a summer, or half a semester or something) I think.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Could be. I live near a large city and its still hard to find a job. I think I might take some classes this fall to upgrade my skills.

What's your cert.?

Right now nothing

I'm thinking of getting an EMT-B but if it's really that hard to actually find a job I might reconsider it :/ I mean even if I want to become a medic I still need a year of experience as an EMT-B so...

 

[EMS5]

Vollying is a great experience, I highly recommend it.

Southerndoc has some good threads around about becoming an EMT, he may chip in at some point here. Don't even worry about the medic side of it yet.

Jobs definitely depend where you are. If you are in a region with a few private commercial transport companies, finding a job can be relatively easy. That said, there is a larger pool of applicants when you compare it to ALS providers.

 

[ellio140]

Hey, I'm an employed paramedic so I thought I'd chime in. Look in the phonebook or online and find out all of the private EMS companies in your area. A lot of EMS is done by fire departments and you won't be able to work for those without getting fire certified and they're nearly impossible to get hired into anyways so don't mess with those. If you apply to 4 or 5 EMS companies as an EMT-B you should get a call from one or two, and you'll be happy you did, its a cool experience.

EDIT: ER tech is a good route to go too but it's more difficult to get hired because they have less openings and often want EMTs that have experience. As far as getting hired somewhere your best route is to go prehospital. You can PM me if you have any questions.

 

[sphun65]

Most commercial companies will not consider you without volunteer-type experience. Of course, there are always exceptions (ie, you have a friend who got in without experience) but that most often has to do with sheer luck. Also, most people who get a job as an EMT-B without experience are really only doing patient transport, which is certainly not the clinical experience you're looking for. Or maybe it is, who knows.

Commercial companies haven't been hiring much recently, same goes for hospitals (at least in my area). When an opening does comes up and you apply with no experience, you should remember that there are probably 20 other applicants who have that experience. Also, they are more apt to hire the other guy because it is his career, and for you it's just a resume builder. It may be difficult to understand (was difficult for me, at least!) but just because you will be a doctor some day in the future, doesn't mean someone will hire you today to be an entry-level healthcare provider.

Volunteer for your local service. It's a good deed. Do it for at least 6 months, and then if you want to try to find a paid gig, go for it. If you can find something, though, by all means do it..

 

[WatchMeRise]

It's been so difficult for me so far. I know LA County has a lot of ambulance companies, but in my area there are not many, so it's extremely difficult.

I want to work for a company running 911 service so badly! It's worthless to have an EMT cert and not use it. Absolutely worthless. Sure, you can do a little volunteer work here and there, but the only true valuable experience comes from actually working as an EMT or ER Tech for a consistent amount of time.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Well ideally I just want to land a position so I can get to EMT-I, at least for now. Maybe that will help my chances in the future?

Also, thanks for the replies so far!

 

[apumic]

It's been so difficult for me so far. I know LA County has a lot of ambulance companies, but in my area there are not many, so it's extremely difficult.

I want to work for a company running 911 service so badly! It's worthless to have an EMT cert and not use it. Absolutely worthless. Sure, you can do a little volunteer work here and there, but the only true valuable experience comes from actually working as an EMT or ER Tech for a consistent amount of time.

A good free clinic will give you some great, valuable experience. That can then propel you to an actual position in the ED. I know it helped for me, along with other skills I possessed.

 

[Omni]

Yeah, as other people have mentioned, no place is gonna hire you right out of EMT school. And depending where you live, they might not even hire EMT-Is.

EMTing is WAY different in real life than it is in the books.

 

[Tesseract]

Well ideally I just want to land a position so I can get to EMT-I, at least for now. Maybe that will help my chances in the future?

Also, thanks for the replies so far!

Well you got me curious now. Why do you want your intermediate cert if you're going to medical school? Compared to a B, you can do KTVO therapy, start IV access, and use a King airway as an I. Maybe a few other skills/drugs in your state? I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do- you would definitely be more of an asset to your paramedic and patient, but why not go for your CC or Pi if you're already adding extra training months?

 

[Mbeas]

Also, they are more apt to hire the other guy because it is his career, and for you it's just a resume builder. It may be difficult to understand (was difficult for me, at least!) but just because you will be a doctor some day in the future, doesn't mean someone will hire you today to be an entry-level healthcare provider.

This is a solid point. I'm pretty sure I lost a job opportunity because I mentioned in an interview that I eventually wanted to go to med school. Oops...

Also, they are eventually getting rid of EMT-I so you may want to consider just becoming EMT-P if anything. It's a longer road, but the opportunities are much greater

 

[EMS5]

Well you got me curious now. Why do you want your intermediate cert if you're going to medical school? Compared to a B, you can do KTVO therapy, start IV access, and use a King airway as an I. Maybe a few other skills/drugs in your state? I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do- you would definitely be more of an asset to your paramedic and patient, but why not go for your CC or Pi if you're already adding extra training months?

Just to put this into perspective because of how much it varies by state... protocols allow intermediates in my state to administer IV fluids including boluses, perform endotracheal intubation (in addition to combitube). It would actually be more beneficial to look at it in terms of what we can't do compared to the paramedic....no nasal intubation, no haldol, no trachs, no RSI, and certain meds we have to consult for...

I agree with tess, if you are going straight to medical school, getting your intermediate isn't the most practical use of time. Take into consideration it is a 700 hour course over 2 semesters that YOU pay for if you don't have an agency to cover it, and this is on top of any college classes you may be taking.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Well you got me curious now. Why do you want your intermediate cert if you're going to medical school? Compared to a B, you can do KTVO therapy, start IV access, and use a King airway as an I. Maybe a few other skills/drugs in your state? I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do- you would definitely be more of an asset to your paramedic and patient, but why not go for your CC or Pi if you're already adding extra training months?

This might sound kind of dumb but...

what are those?

haha

 

[EMS5]

Only thing I can figure is critical care and paramedic instructor.....perhaps tess will enlighten us

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Only thing I can figure is critical care and paramedic instructor.....perhaps tess will enlighten us

I know now I'm curious

 

[EMS5]

is gambling legal on this site? i say we start an office pool...i've got 43 cents!

 

[LuciusVorenus]

is gambling legal on this site? i say we start an office pool...i've got 43 cents!

I think I have a quarter somewhere :/

you can have my 15K debt if you want though 😛

 

[Tesseract]

Sorry, missed the thread replies. The Pi was a typo =p...meant to write P.

CC= Critical Care
P= Paramedic

Afaik, critical care certification (license?) is a New York State thing. From others' descriptions of an intermediate, I guess NYS split the standard intermediate cert into CC and and NYS-styled Int.

 

[EMS5]

Sorry, missed the thread replies. The Pi was a typo =p...meant to write P.

CC= Critical Care
P= Paramedic

Afaik, critical care certification (license?) is a New York State thing. From others' descriptions of an intermediate, I guess NYS split the standard intermediate cert into CC and and NYS-styled Int.

We used to have 2 different levels of intermediate...I-99 (NREMT-I) and I-85 (CRT-I)...I definitely favor a more uniform use of the nremt standards because this is the perfect example of all the inconsistencies from state to state

 

[apumic]

We used to have 2 different levels of intermediate...I-99 (NREMT-I) and I-85 (CRT-I)...I definitely favor a more uniform use of the nremt standards because this is the perfect example of all the inconsistencies from state to state

haha...yeah, every state has different standards.... really EMT-P is the only one that's somewhat consistent. EMT-I is a mess due to the I-85, I-99, and "EMT-B+" (varies by state as to the name, but basically an EMT-B w/ modules/certs and near-I-85 responsibilities minus ACLS... e.g., advanced airway, EKG, IV, etc.)

 

[EMS5]

We have the superB's in our state...we have 12 lead acquisition, IV access, a few other modules and add-ons for everyone that doesn't wanna take the time to get the I

 

[jkelly2]

"SuperBs" only if the operational program and program medical director apply for and are approved for those optional protocols, of course.

 

[BenUstudent]

Yeah, Mbeas nailed it.
I just finished my EMT-B course this week and set up my date to take my state licensor exam. I was speaking to my instructor, Yeah jobs for B's are tough to find. I wanted to get with a department, but they want fire/emt cert. not just emt-B's. So that Leaves me with working for a private or hopefully get in as a E.R. tech.

 

[Faith730]

I worked for about 9 months as an EMT-B at a private company in jersey. I left to start med school. It took me about a week to find the job. I looked on career builder for emt openings and applied that day. They called me back within three days and I started four days later. I wasn't even instate. (PA Certification) I think it really depends when you look and where you live. I probably just got lucky.

 

[equios]

Not too hard to get a job right now, but you have to work at it. Means calling and harassing potential employers so that they will invite you to an interview. Nothing's a given in this economy.

I'm an EMT-IV (EMT-B+) right now with 1.5 year's experience. What you can expect as a fresh-from school EMT is BLS/Non-emergency transports, for the most part. Great place to practice patient assessment, and get to do some impromptu shadowing in a very wide range of out-patient type medical specialties. GREAT place to build up your bed-side manner.

After a few months, and figuring out your *** from a hole in the ground, most services will let you go and do ALS (911-Emergency) type stuff. This is fun for a bit, but after a while the word "same S*** different day" comes to describe it. ALS is BLS with lights and sirens and a few more drugs most of the time. As an EMT-B/I don't expect to do much other than help the Medic. Even on the ALS side 50%+ of your calls will still be non-emergency transports. You will have some story worthy calls. You will have calls that you remember fondly, and feel like you made a damn difference in someone's life, for the better. You will have calls that will haunt your every time you nod off into sleep. You will come away with some grade A+ interview fodder though. Also, a 1 in 6 chance to develop PTSD. I think that's the field average right now.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

Im currently a Firefighter/EMT-B and I am also an ER tech. It all really depends on where you live too. In the Chicagoland area, ive had no trouble whatsoever finding positions for my EMT.

I was with a private ambulance service for a bit and this is the second hospital ive done tech work for. Not to mention the Fire dept gig. I would strongly advise getting it because i feel it was crucial for me to get the experience i have. I go shadow doctors now and when they do things, i have a much better understanding of how things work.

(eg shadowing an anesthesiologist: she was called to the ICU to do an intubation and she was frustrated because it seemed like they had never done an intubation before. I commented about it because i noticed all of the things they did wrong( or didnt have prepared). Long story short she referred me to other docs she works with who are professors at a local medical school 🙂!!!!!!)

EMT-I's are pretty much phased out here unless you go south into rural areas. PM me if you have any more ?'s