Premed Failure - EMT Issues

[tennisball80]

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I have failed miserably. I have heard from my fellow EMT crew members that local ambulance companies do not take volunteers. And I can not get legally hired due to my immigration status. So, I can't work/volunteer work on ambulance!

What should I do with my EMT-B certificate?

Update 1:

Here are are the solutions I've heard from everybody.
-Speak to high-ranking ambulance corp officials
-Go to a hospital and see what they let EMT-B do
Ex. ER tech,
-Free clinic
-Red cross--ask for positions

Any other ideas?

 

[NickNaylor]

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I have failed miserably. I have heard from my fellow EMT crew members that local ambulance companies do not take volunteers. And I can not get legally hired due to my immigration status. So, I can't work/volunteer work on ambulance!

What should I do with my EMT-B certificate?

Just stick the EMT card away in your wallet and find something else to do with your life like half the EMTs in the U.S. do.

 

[Omni]

Have you spoken to the high-ranking ambulance corp officials?
You can always volunteer yourself as an EMT in a hospital where you do simple things like taking vitals for nurses and the such.

 

[chman]

Some hospitals hire EMT-B's to move patients and stuff. It depends on the area you are in.

Also, before you believe everything you hear, perhaps you should talk to some higher up individuals in the companies.

 

[lakerzfan36]

you can get some additional certs such as ekg, etc... and hope to get hired as an ER tech, depending on where you live. You can volunteer in the hospital and they might let you do some patient care since you are an EMT B.

 

[jckut10]

,

 

[Rickybobby]

Take your EMT card and flush it down the toilet unless you obtained because you actually wanted to do pre-hospital care. If you did it to pad your medical school application, get over it, there are many ways to "look good" in terms of patient care.

 

[JonathanMD]

...

 

[JonathanMD]

Just stick the EMT card away in your wallet and find something else to do with your life like half the EMTs in the U.S. do.

This... sort of.

Once you get your EMT (or CNA) or other certification, there are other jobs available besides an EMT.

Back... oh say... 7-8 years ago, I got my cert, sent my applications, and got an interview. Didn't get the job. Later my mom (a nurse) put in a good word to a Hyperbaric Unit in the hospital that was hiring. I got the job on the spot and worked there for 2 years. I didn't get as much experience as I would have if I were working as an EMT, but I learned a lot and got to do all kinds of things. (With only 1 doctor, 1 nurse, and me, they were always looking for an extra pairs of hands.)

While there I worked with dozens of doctors who were all ears to any and all of my questions. (Something that wouldn't have been available to me if I worked as an EMT.)

So it all worked out in the end.

Go visit some Human Resources departments of some hospitals. They'll have a list of available positions. Look for low level tech level positions that require little experience. Once you get something that you can write down as "acute patient care," stay there for 6 months or a year and shop around for another job that requires a little more experience. Once you get that first job, the rest falls into place.

 

[Spin]

Go visit some Human Resources departments of some hospitals. They'll have a list of available positions. Look for low level tech level positions that require little experience. Once you get something that you can write down as "acute patient care," stay there for 6 months or a year and shop around for another job that requires a little more experience. Once you get that first job, the rest falls into place.

How would someone arrange that sort of visit? I mean, I'm assuming you can't just waltz into HR, and they probably don't want to waste their time making appointments to talk to any random Joe Schmo off the street.

 

[apumic]

How would someone arrange that sort of visit? I mean, I'm assuming you can't just waltz into HR, and they probably don't want to waste their time making appointments to talk to any random Joe Schmo off the street.

Most have HR websites you can check. You could also call and they'll direct you from there....

 

[JonathanMD]

How would someone arrange that sort of visit? I mean, I'm assuming you can't just waltz into HR, and they probably don't want to waste their time making appointments to talk to any random Joe Schmo off the street.

Sure you can and sure they will.

In one hospital I went to, the current available positions were posted on a corkboard outside with the door to the office right next to it. Two more hospitals had secretaries behind a desks with big binders that you can flip through. Two other hospitals I went to had two "stations" set up with computer monitors and a few instructions on how to navigate their menu taped down to the table. Another (I think Kaiser) said to check their website (and also had a computer set up so you could access it there).

 

[chman]

How would someone arrange that sort of visit? I mean, I'm assuming you can't just waltz into HR, and they probably don't want to waste their time making appointments to talk to any random Joe Schmo off the street.

That's what HR is there for, it's their job. They can tell you no, but they will at least hear you out.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

you're so overdramatic

edit: also, get a student visa asap. it'll let you work.

 

[Average Joe]

you're so overdramatic

His previous post show signs of "PRAISE ME."

Ha ha, why does everyone want to become an EMT anyway?! Why don't you just volunteer at a hospital instead?

 

[rockaction]

OP is the kind of person that makes the rest of us look bad as pre-meds

 

[RevMD]

His previous post show signs of "PRAISE ME."

Ha ha, why does everyone want to become an EMT anyway?! Why don't you just volunteer at a hospital instead?

Most hospitals will not let you do anything of clinical significance in terms of patient care. They usually will let you push patients around the hospital, help with paperwork, or clean the beds. I would hate to do all of these things when those hours could be better spent doing something else.

 

[Average Joe]

Most hospitals will not let you do anything of clinical significance in terms of patient care. They usually will let you push patients around the hospital, help with paperwork, or clean the beds. I would hate to do all of these things when those hours could be better spent doing something else.

You are however getting some form of patient contact. Also, you're exposing yourself to the hospital setting. I would like to know however, which hospitals allow an untrained student preform something clinically significant?

 

[essaywhuman]

His previous post show signs of "PRAISE ME."

Ha ha, why does everyone want to become an EMT anyway?! Why don't you just volunteer at a hospital instead?

I think being an EMT is awesome for a taste of actual medical decision making and problem solving. Why wouldn't you want that?!? I doubt there are many hospital volunteer positions in which you are required/get to call any shots. Before I got on with an agency, I started volunteering with the Red Cross doing medical standby for various events; that might be something to look into.

 

[oaklandguy]

If you can't work it's tough luck. You can try volunteering at different fire departments or ambulance services. If that doesn't work out then you probably won't be able to do much with your EMT.

I am in a similar situation. I obtained my EMT certification to get a medical job just to find out that no one is hiring Basics in my area. If you have Fire 1 & 2 and an EMT-P license you might get a job (in my area). All the hospitals in my area require you to be a Paramedic as well to be a tech, or you have to be a nursing student or have 2 years experience in an Emergency Dept. using ekgs and venipuncture... ugh. Anyone know where I can get an ekg certification and venipuncture w/o it taking an entire semester? I really don't want to go on to EMT-I because I heard they are getting rid of it in my State.

But for the OP I suggest just volunteering wherever you can, EMT might be somewhat helpful at a free clinic (better than nothing right?).

 

[jiayo]

I volunteer at my town's local ambulance corp..try calling a few in your area?

 

[essaywhuman]

If you can't work it's tough luck. You can try volunteering at different fire departments or ambulance services. If that doesn't work out then you probably won't be able to do much with your EMT.

I am in a similar situation. I obtained my EMT certification to get a medical job just to find out that no one is hiring Basics in my area. If you have Fire 1 & 2 and an EMT-P license you might get a job (in my area). All the hospitals in my area require you to be a Paramedic as well to be a tech, or you have to be a nursing student or have 2 years experience in an Emergency Dept. using ekgs and venipuncture... ugh. Anyone know where I can get an ekg certification and venipuncture w/o it taking an entire semester? I really don't want to go on to EMT-I because I heard they are getting rid of it in my State.

But for the OP I suggest just volunteering wherever you can, EMT might be somewhat helpful at a free clinic (better than nothing right?).

Fire departments are taking over most prehospital ems nationwide, but thats another issue. My understanding is that they are not really getting rid of EMTI, except for that it will be called EMT-Advanced, while basic EMTs will be simply EMTS, and Paramedics will be just that (not EMT-Paramedics). I doubt that they will just screw all the EMTI's in California out of their certs. You could take EKG tech and Phlebotomist separately as well.

 

[scoffalot]

I need help.

I got a EMT-Basic certification over the summer last summer, only to find out the local ambulance crew doesn't take volunteers and the fire department wasn't hiring unless you had EMT-B and Fire Fighting 1, 2.

There's no CNA or HHA or PCA programs around that I can do over the summer or during the semester as they're all full time 2 year programs (if you live in upstate NY, like fingerlakes region, and know of any program that's not please PLEASE let me know).

I've checked courses for all the local community colleges and there's not even a EMT-intermediate course (only a interm refresher course).

I'm really stumped for what to do for ECs. There's awesome opportunities (called New Vision) for high school students but none for college students.

No Phlebotomy courses, no EKG courses, no nothing.

The only thing I can think of doing is the local free clinic, wheeling patients at the local hospital, and calling up doctors for some shadowing.

I am honestly really stumped and would appreciate other suggestions.

If you go to Cornell or Ithaca College or live nearby (SUNY Bing, Cortland, the various BOCES), please I would really appreciate a PM


Would it be reasonable worth of time and effort to look for part time secretarial jobs at nearby clinics as an undergrad?

 

[essaywhuman]

I need help.

I got a EMT-Basic certification over the summer last summer, only to find out the local ambulance crew doesn't take volunteers and the fire department wasn't hiring unless you had EMT-B and Fire Fighting 1, 2.

There's no CNA or HHA or PCA programs around that I can do over the summer or during the semester as they're all full time 2 year programs (if you live in upstate NY, like fingerlakes region, and know of any program that's not please PLEASE let me know).

I've checked courses for all the local community colleges and there's not even a EMT-intermediate course (only a interm refresher course).

I'm really stumped for what to do for ECs. There's awesome opportunities (called New Vision) for high school students but none for college students.

No Phlebotomy courses, no EKG courses, no nothing.

The only thing I can think of doing is the local free clinic, wheeling patients at the local hospital, and calling up doctors for some shadowing.

I am honestly really stumped and would appreciate other suggestions.

If you go to Cornell or Ithaca College or live nearby (SUNY Bing, Cortland, the various BOCES), please I would really appreciate a PM


Would it be reasonable worth of time and effort to look for part time secretarial jobs at nearby clinics as an undergrad?

Work the free clinic. Take some vitals and histories and interact with some patients. Like I mentioned before, the Red Cross (in my area at least) runs FAST (First Aid Stations) for various community events. Possibly a chance to use some of your emergency skills. Actually, if you're looking for for volunteer ec's in general...the Red Cross would be a good place to go.

 

[scoffalot]

wow that's a great recommendation. i don't know why i never thought of that. thank you so very much

 

[CatchingUp]

You are however getting some form of patient contact. Also, you're exposing yourself to the hospital setting. I would like to know however, which hospitals allow an untrained student preform something clinically significant?

You'd be surprised. 😀

 

[Siggy]

Fire departments are taking over most prehospital ems nationwide, but thats another issue. My understanding is that they are not really getting rid of EMTI, except for that it will be called EMT-Advanced, while basic EMTs will be simply EMTS, and Paramedics will be just that (not EMT-Paramedics). I doubt that they will just screw all the EMTI's in California out of their certs. You could take EKG tech and Phlebotomist separately as well.

In the end, EMS levels are determined by the individual states and not by the federal government. The feds can lay down a framework (the new framework is going to be emergency medical responder, EMT, advanced EMT, paramedic instead of first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate 1985, EMT-intermediate 1999, EMT-paramedic), however the states can make up what ever levels they want. This is how we get bastardizations such as the 8 levels in Washington (which, my understanding is that they are doing away with most of them) or Iowa calling an EMT-I/99 a "EMT-paramedic."


Saying this, California is working towards converting their levels (first responder, EMT-1, EMT-2, EMT-P) to the new national standard described above with a roll out date in July. Of course it's also worth noting that EMT-2 (California's EMT-intermediate level) is exceedingly rare because the introduction of EMT-Is can not result in a reduction of EMT-Ps by state law.

http://www.emsa.ca.gov/about/EMT2010_Overview.asp

 

[Siggy]

I have failed miserably. I have heard from my fellow EMT crew members that local ambulance companies do not take volunteers. And I can not get legally hired due to my immigration status. So, I can't work/volunteer work on ambulance!

What should I do with my EMT-B certificate?

You should probably worry about your immigration status first.

 

[tennisball80]

Update 1:

Here are are the solutions I've heard from everybody.
-Speak to high-ranking ambulance corp officials
-Go to a hospital and see what they let EMT-B do
Ex. ER tech,
-Free clinic
-Red cross--ask for positions

Any other ideas?

 

[scoffalot]

actually, what do you/did he mean when you/he said speak with high ranking ambulance corps officials? what in the world do you speak to them about? about letting you on?