Working as an EMT part time for two years?

[chemhead123]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Looking for some feedback on how this will affect my application. In college during my junior and senior year, I worked as an EMT for a local fire station. I worked one 10 hour shift a week (graveyard) for two years, my total signed off hours log is 1041 hours on duty. On many calls, I was the only trained health provider on the call. Over my two years, I worked around 80 calls, did monthly training programs with the fire department, and had responsibilities around the fire station.

I know MCAT and GPA are huge factors, and not looking for "this will not be a golden ticket in" I know that. What I am looking for is feedback as to the strength of this particular EC with all things being held the same.

Also another question, we got "paid" roughly $12 a shift. It was a volunteer station, but they chipped in a little for gas and equipment. $12 dollars a shift is $1.20 an hour, which was still considered by my state as volunteer. Should I label this as paid work or volunteer? I am leaning towards paid work as for 1.) I was paid, but 2.) volunteer can seem a little wishy-washy with fire departments. This one was not, we were right off an interstate. I worked a call once where an a younger pregnant woman had gotten in an an accident on the interstate with her friend in the car. Needless to say it was intense. This wasn't at least always a Barney Fife type deal.

What do you guys think? How much of a bump will this give me? (I have a 3.9 general and Science GPA and I am scoring well on MCAT practice tests 34+) Thoughts?

 

[CeeEstee0]

I wouldn't list it as paid. I have been looking into EMT positions in my home state, and they also pay the volunteers 15 dollars for gas and other random expenses. As far as its quality as an EC, it is a good experience but nothing that 1000 other Pre-Meds haven't done. What makes it unique is how you communicate your experiences, be it in you PS, secondaries, or interviews. Good luck.

 

[yellowfish]

It's great clinical experience, definitely list it as one of your activities, and perhaps one of your "most meaningful" ones.

On the other hand, I'm not sure you can consider it a *bump* because as the poster above me mentioned, it isn't an especially unique experience. Nonetheless, combined with some other nice ECs, your strong GPA and a good MCAT performance, you're looking good!

 

[frankcfromny]

I've been an EMT for three years with my school's squad. It was probably the best decision I've ever made and I find it very rewarding.

I initially decided to apply and then take the class because I was a young naive premed freshman who thought it would just look amazing on my future applications. I realized after responding to my first call ever that patient care was what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life. 3 years later I don't have the stats for medical school. However,I know that the healthcare industry with patient interaction is where I want to be and not in some PhD program. That is what being an EMT did for me.

So moral of the story (as someone else has already said), you really need to convey how it is more than just something to pad your resume. Good luck.

 

[chemhead123]

You guys really think that 1,000 applicants have had a similar level of working experience as an EMT? I don't doubt that maybe 1,000 applicants have gotten their training, but I find it hard to believe that 1,000 applicants have worked with any appreciable level of experience. Even at a rate of 1,000 applicants out of say around 50,000 total applicants, 1 out of 50 seems pretty good. In a med class size of 200 students, only three other people have worked as EMTs? That seems pretty unique, doesn't it? Why is the value of the EC necessarily tied to its uniqueness? I have to be the only person in the applicant pool to have done an activity to get a bump?

Again, I don't think this is some kind of golden ticket in, but I am surprised to hear someone say it might not give my app a "bump." I mean the far majority of pre-meds, like I did for two years, volunteer in an ER and spend their time washing beds for 3 hours a week. Thats fine, and you get to see a lot of stuff, but I worked for 10 hours a week for two years actually treating patients on my own.

I had a girl's heart stop beating on me once at 3 in the morning, while I was by myself in the back of the ambulance (only the driver and I responded to the call).

I do not think many pre-meds are ever put into such a situation, before they apply (again coming back to the difference between going through the training and actually working). I think how I communicate it is essentially important. I agree with that!

Who knows I guess. Anyone out there interviewed recently with significant time as an EMT? Was it a big deal or not?

Thanks for all of your posts and replies!

 

[dreamweaver1988]

Looking for some feedback on how this will affect my application. In college during my junior and senior year, I worked as an EMT for a local fire station. I worked one 10 hour shift a week (graveyard) for two years, my total signed off hours log is 1041 hours on duty. On many calls, I was the only trained health provider on the call. Over my two years, I worked around 80 calls, did monthly training programs with the fire department, and had responsibilities around the fire station.

I know MCAT and GPA are huge factors, and not looking for "this will not be a golden ticket in" I know that. What I am looking for is feedback as to the strength of this particular EC with all things being held the same.

Also another question, we got "paid" roughly $12 a shift. It was a volunteer station, but they chipped in a little for gas and equipment. $12 dollars a shift is $1.20 an hour, which was still considered by my state as volunteer. Should I label this as paid work or volunteer? I am leaning towards paid work as for 1.) I was paid, but 2.) volunteer can seem a little wishy-washy with fire departments. This one was not, we were right off an interstate. I worked a call once where an a younger pregnant woman had gotten in an an accident on the interstate with her friend in the car. Needless to say it was intense. This wasn't at least always a Barney Fife type deal.

What do you guys think? How much of a bump will this give me? (I have a 3.9 general and Science GPA and I am scoring well on MCAT practice tests 34+) Thoughts?

The average medical school applicant has three years of EMT experience. Just to be honest, you won't be competitive with your applicants as is. Think about waiting a year to apply.

 

[chemhead123]

@dreamweaver1988

Are you trolling or what? You know nothing of about my application. I haven't even taken the MCAT yet, so I assume that is a joke. Your statement about the average applicant is obviously not true... I guess this is some form of SDN humor. I am just looking for a straight answer here...

 

[estradiol9]

@dreamweaver1988

Are you trolling or what? You know nothing of about my application. I haven't even taken the MCAT yet, so I assume that is a joke. Your statement about the average applicant is obviously not true... I guess this is some form of SDN humor. I am just looking for a straight answer here...

Take advice from SDN with a grain of salt. Most of the individuals on here are undergraduate students with no life that are willing to do anything to get into medical school. They will very gladly put you down and make you think twice of yourself if it means one less person in the applicant pool that cycle.

 

[chemhead123]

@estradiol9

Thats really kind of you to take the time and say. I have kind of been discouraged by these posts... I appreicate it!

 

[NJapplicant12]

I had 1 year EMT experience and below avg EC's by SDN standards, a 3.7 and 34 MCAT and ive gotten into 2 US MD programs so far (Drexel and NYMC). With your stats as long as you get 32+ and apply broadly/early you will get in.

I do believe that my PS was exceptional and I suspect my LoR's were pretty solid as well.

Hope this helped to assuage your fears!

 

[DavetheMD]

You don't need any more patient care. It's about what you got out of your experiences not the sheer # of hours. It sounds like you made meaningful experiences. Not sure there's more to be said unless you're wondering how to convey it to an interviewer.

 

[LizzyM]

Volunteer, clinical for @ 10hr/wk for 2 years is exceptional. And yes, I'd call it volunteer because $1.20/hr is not employment!

So, you've got the community service thing covered and it sounds like gpa & MCAT will be pretty good. While you have experience in pre-hospital care of emergencies, you will be asked to show that you have some idea about the work physicians do so you'll want to arrange some shadowing or employment with physicians. (For example, what proportion of a physician's time is spent with patients vs. paperwork? what are the biggest frustrations of the job? and so forth) The other things that are going to be taken into consideration are research, leadership/activities with others, and what you do for fun.

 

[AlmostJesus]

I wouldn't list it as paid. I have been looking into EMT positions in my home state, and they also pay the volunteers 15 dollars for gas and other random expenses. As far as its quality as an EC, it is a good experience but nothing that 1000 other Pre-Meds haven't done. What makes it unique is how you communicate your experiences, be it in you PS, secondaries, or interviews. Good luck.

I think the poster has nailed it on the head. I became a paramedic while attending college full time during my sophomore year. In my paramedic class, 3 out of the 14 that graduated were pre-med in some capacity and in the EMT classes I helped teach, there was always a fair share of pre-med students.
What sets you apart is how you have experienced it and how you communicate that. Most of the pre-med students that take the EMT class don't do anything with it, and many dont even take the NREMT test. You have experience, that goes a long way. What is important is that you weave your experience in the application process.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to do some sort of shadowing or hospital work too, there is a stark difference between the prehospital world and the hospital world. Pre-hospital providers because of their training level tend to deem things emergencies much more often than hospital based providers, bear that in mind. That is one thing I have figured out over time and even as I work as a paramedic, I still have that differing thought process.
From the grade perspective, you should be just fine. Just present yourself as a well rounded person and you should do great.

 

[chemhead123]

I really appreciate all of your responses and thoughtful input. You have helped me see what I need to do and direct my attention in my personal statement and essays.

Thanks!

 

[grizdad]

I think you have been given good advice here-other than one poster. It really is volunteer work that they reimburse a little expense money. It isn't a golden ticket, like you said, but it is a good solid EC. I think the most important thing will be what you got out of it. You should have some great stories to share for experiences on your application and to discuss during interviews.

 

[dougfunnie]

Kind of rehashing at this point, but I agree with the majority of the posters on here. In my experience, lots of VFDs (including mine) compensate volunteers $15 for their 12-hour shift for gas, meals, etc. They may also cover your membership in state firefighters/rescuers associations that give you access to all kinds of benefits, or pay for your I or Medic class. Absolutely doesn't take away from your status as a volunteer. While I know that volunteering in emergency services carries the same responsibility as a job, definitely designate it and discuss it as a volunteer activity so there won't be confusion.

I think the only not-so-great advice you received was a result of you hinting that you were wondering if this would *make* your application. It's an awesome experience that will make you stand out, but it won't make up for a deficiency imho. So make sure your bases are covered otherwise. This is the conclusion I've come to after wondering about a different activity of my own and doing a ton of research on it over the years. Also, you can obviously answer "why healthcare?" But what about "why medicine?" Just something to keep in mind.

 

[chemhead123]

Really great thoughts. Thanks for posting!

 

[kristinairene]

I'm in the EMT training this semester. So far everything has been so exciting and fun but the exam on FISDAP was just too tough! None of the questions were even discussed in the class!

 

[chemhead123]

Thanks for the great advice everyone!

 

[hiphopcrates]

I had a girl's heart stop beating on me once at 3 in the morning, while I was by myself in the back of the ambulance (only the driver and I responded to the call).

I'm a volunteer EMT/FF as well with a local fire department. This seems either totally bogus or totally outrageous - how the hell did you manage to only get a 2-man crew together? And if it's true, how the hell did you manage that situation alone? Are you a paramedic?

Dang.

 

[EnergyDrink]

I'm a volunteer EMT/FF as well with a local fire department. This seems either totally bogus or totally outrageous - how the hell did you manage to only get a 2-man crew together? And if it's true, how the hell did you manage that situation alone? Are you a paramedic?

Dang.

Most BLS around here run with 2, which is 1 more than you need legally. ALS may meet you en route.

 

[hiphopcrates]

Most BLS around here run with 2, which is 1 more than you need legally. ALS may meet you en route.

No kidding? Well, kudos to you guys. I've run partner-less, but only as a first responder.

To OP: I think it's an exceptional experience. Like you mentioned, many pre-meds go to EMT school, but fewer actually use their certification, especially for 1000+ hours.