Lost on my career path

Hey guys, before i get into whats going on with me i want to say thanks for having me and reading this post any suggestions are highly appreciated!

So to date I have been working as an EMT-B for10 months in the IFT world, at first i was more than willing to do IFT i got a chance to learn how to operate the stretcher, interview patients, do in field assessments, write PCR's, radio ops, truck checking, use of all the equipment for my service, and started trying to build my index of what could be wrong Dx'ing the patient. Now im extremely board of my job, dread coming to work, and some days really dont want to be at work.

The company that i work for is an IFT and 911 service, they dont just let anyone go work the 911 side you have to prove that you can handle it by taking a test on protocols and a scenario. The way that you get to said test is by "riding out." I have rode out one time since i have been with my company and they pulled me from testing stating i didn't have enough experience, even though while riding out i maxed out all the requirements. I even got a ****ing code save with a medic and handed him everything he asked for, no **** ups at all.

I have tried to rekindle my fire for the IFT side, post them pulling me from testing and it all just feels like a waste of my time, im not utilizing any of my skills, most of the patients i am moving around are having issues that there is no way i can Dx in the field. I try to run my self through scenarios utilizing the patient info in there packets about how they presented asking how i would treat them, but even that is mind numbing. My bosses tell me that i am one of the prime candidates for the next release testing that has no ETA of when it will happen, and am getting fed up.

What is your opinion? what should i do?

*note*
there is a rural 911 service an hour from were i live or a large metro 2 hours from where i live

Do you like this service and the level of care they provide on the 911 side?

Is there enough call volume at the rural service to make it enjoyable for you?

How about the Metro service?

I have worked at a very rural place and was bored, like 3 calls in 24 hrs.......I personally would drive 2 hrs to be busy and utilize my skills if the pay made it worth it.

you feel how i felt. and to be totally honest you need to find somewhere else. I was a medic working as an IFT EMT and dreaded every single second of it. i noticed i had a IDGAF attitude toward most calls and patients and it starts to be consuming. maybe drop to PT and commute to the metro area that does 911. it will save your sanity and im sure your patient care will improve. youve learned all you could from IFT and now its time for something new

Many folks here have had similar experiences not feeling fully satisfied with BLS IFT. Is your goal to stay a 911 EMT? Become a Paramedic, Nurse etc? Personally I did not feel satisfied with being an EMT in general, whether IFT or 911. I made the decision to work BLS IFT in school because it paid the bills and I did not have the experience to land a 911 job at the time. It may be that the rural service an hour away will better suit your interests. Maybe you could pursue this part time / per diem and keep your foot in the door in case your current service does move on using you for 911. A busy metro service sounds right up your alley, but is 2 hours realistic? I know when I was working and in full time medic school making ends meet and managing my time was a real struggle. Best of luck.

Thank you all for your responses!

@SeeNoMore - 911 medic is where I want to be. Specifically working on the latest equip and field theories "on the cutting edge". I have thought about working for two services, The only down side is I would then only be home with my family 2 or 3 days a week depending on the week. If having to drive two hours was the only thing in my way of feeling happy and that I'm making progress toward my goals I would do it right now and not look back.... Know what I mean?

@FF-EMT Diver - the service i work for currently is unique in that do to hospital locations and what station you are assigned you may get more "stay and play time" then you do at rurals which are more often load and go because of just how far away you are from higher level care. That's a good point you made at the end.

I know how you feel. The last company that I worked for became a dialysis derby... I have been working for another company that runs calls to ERs from ALFs and I got use what have learned and keep on learning somelook for something new everyday. Check what are the other options you have or look into ER tech.

@titmouse thanks for the response

How long does it typically take for people to transfer to 911 there?

You've been there for almost a year. I'd stick it out until then.

@Aprz I have done more or less what you said and stuck it out to try and save my career from looking like i am an unstable worker, that just job hops. We are about to go through another chance of getting released. To answer your question there is no set time it is based upon the needs of the 911 side, if their is holes that need to be filled or not, so if the 911 side stays full for a year then guess who is running bls and loosing skills for a year..... ha ha you guessed it! But all joking aside the BLS does have some things that you can learn and let you practice certain skills.

What I mean is what is typical? Not necessarily when are they scheduled to move people, which you have now made obvious that they don't do that. Do people generally get on within a year? In my area, it takes people sometimes years before they get onto 911 (over four years from the time of certification for me). Ten months doesn't sound like a lot to me, but I understand things can be different from where I am. If you've been there for a long time and they are putting people with significantly less time than you then I would understand abandoning ship. If that's not the case then I would stick it out especially to at least one year.

I would stick it out longer. It's not like losing one's BLS practical skills is a real concern...

Go to paramedic school and stay where you are. That way you don't burn any bridges. I have done a lot of both ift and 911 and at certain times I have had as much distaste for both. 911 comes with some bad attributes as well. Personally i liked critical care transport the most.

@Aprz Their is no real typical that goes on at my company TBH. Some get on in a year, some more or possibly still have not moved over and some are barely out of orientation. I wish that i could be more transparent to you about my work situation. But out of fear that one of my higher ups will see everything im posting I can't tell you much more without getting into specifics that would instantly tell who I am.

@Underoath87 Im dont really know how to react to this comment.....

@medicaltransient The original plan was 2 years of street time and than on to medic school. But from the knowledge that i have picked up you should get 2 years of street (911) time to really have a leg up on medic school.

to be honest I am no longer gonna pursue the paramedic program and firefighting. Gonna go start working towards nursing.

You may have learned everything you can from IFTs, or at least enough to evolve and grow as an EMT. It's time to try 911 response. As others have noted, it might be worth the extra drive if it means getting you on a response truck.

-r

titmouse said:

to be honest I am no longer gonna pursue the paramedic program and firefighting. Gonna go start working towards nursing.

Click to expand...

Probably a good move.