Aspiring EMT

[Syracuse]

Hello all! My name is Mike and have been thinking about entering the field of EMS. I am hoping you all could answer a few questions I have.

A little back story: I am 23 years old and from upstate NY. I have a background in Physical Education (A.S., unfulfilled B.S. degree). I was unable to complete my bachelors due to a number of reasons, one mainly being that my heart was not in it. I realized I got into the field mainly due to the idea of Coaching and sort of had a fall of heart with the whole plan altogether. So I sit here today, wondering what route to take with my life. One thought I have is what better way to gain some life experience and a little cash flow (more than my current part-time childcare position) than by helping people.

This thought would bring me to my first question;

1. Would other EMTs and Paramedics be insulted that I have entered the field basically out of curiosity and a stalled life?

2. I am under the impression that a majority of EMTs would have started out as volunteer FF, or related fields. Is that not the case?

3. In relation to city size, what comes of it? Higher volume of calls? Higher pay? Higher chance of landing a job? Mostly concerned with the city of Syracuse (population about 145,000).

4. How easy is it to find classes or trainings? My community college that I graduated from doesn't seem to offer the certificate anymore.

5. I understand that advancement is definitely possible, ending eventually with Paramedics. How many people start off as Basics, and advance to Paramedics? And how many people find other careers eventually?

I will not be entering this career field with intent on money. Hell, I was planning on being a teacher anyway. I think the idea of landing a blue-collared gig where helping people is the norm, is pretty cool and something you can hang your hat on. Anyway, I'm just trying to gain as much insight as possible before making any decisions.

Cheers :beerchug:

 

[Akulahawk]

Hello all! My name is Mike and have been thinking about entering the field of EMS. I am hoping you all could answer a few questions I have.

A little back story: I am 23 years old and from upstate NY. I have a background in Physical Education (A.S., unfulfilled B.S. degree). I was unable to complete my bachelors due to a number of reasons, one mainly being that my heart was not in it. I realized I got into the field mainly due to the idea of Coaching and sort of had a fall of heart with the whole plan altogether. So I sit here today, wondering what route to take with my life. One thought I have is what better way to gain some life experience and a little cash flow (more than my current part-time childcare position) than by helping people.

This thought would bring me to my first question;

1. Would other EMTs and Paramedics be insulted that I have entered the field basically out of curiosity and a stalled life?

From my perspective? Not really. You're 23, haven't completed your Bachelor's, and you haven't figured out what you want to really do with your life, so you're trying something on. That's fine... just understand that most of us that work in the field are pretty passionate about what we do. While we'd like you to share in the passion, we just mostly want you to do the job while you're there.

2. I am under the impression that a majority of EMTs would have started out as volunteer FF, or related fields. Is that not the case?

Some of us, yes. Some of us just decided "what the heck" and gave it a whirl and found it fun. Most of us have a service-minded personality, so you'll find that similar types of people do Law Enforcement, Firefighting, Soldiering, and so on. Our focus may be different, but we do for others.

3. In relation to city size, what comes of it? Higher volume of calls? Higher pay? Higher chance of landing a job? Mostly concerned with the city of Syracuse (population about 145,000).

Can't comment here...

4. How easy is it to find classes or trainings? My community college that I graduated from doesn't seem to offer the certificate anymore.

That can very much vary by region. Look around. A lot of employers just want to know you've been certified and meet local requirements. Beyond that, they often don't care where you were trained.

5. I understand that advancement is definitely possible, ending eventually with Paramedics. How many people start off as Basics, and advance to Paramedics? And how many people find other careers eventually?

There's about a Billion Basics. (Ok, so I'm exaggerating... but not by much, it seems.) The majority of them won't go on to become Paramedics. After about 5 years, the majority of EMS personnel find their way to other careers. Those that manage to stay in it for more than 7 years typically stay in until they physically can't anymore. I can still easily do the job. I just want a lot more flexibility and money than I was making in EMS, so I'm becoming a nurse.

I will not be entering this career field with intent on money. Hell, I was planning on being a teacher anyway. I think the idea of landing a blue-collared gig where helping people is the norm, is pretty cool and something you can hang your hat on. Anyway, I'm just trying to gain as much insight as possible before making any decisions.

Cheers :beerchug:

Frankly, the job is long hours of low pay, is mind-numbing work, and with very little recognition. There are so many EMTs looking for your job that it's probably cheaper to replace you than to sort out your problems. Finding jobs can be very difficult at best... but if you do find a job, stay with it for at least 6 months to see if you're really into it before you bail or change careers. But always keep an eye open for advancement. Being a Paramedic was great, but the avenues for advancement took me away from patient care. There was little flexibility and little room for advancement beyond doing what I did on the ambulance. When I left actively working the field, I could hope to get a flight Paramedic job eventually... and the CCT-Paramedic was just starting to really emerge.

Unfortunately, EMS is a horrific disease. One you've got it, it's hard to get it out of your blood.

 

[Handsome Robb]

Definitely second what Akula said.

1. No I don't think anyone would take offense to that. How do you know if you'd be happy doing something without trying it. Between the classes I was in and those I have had some hand in teaching it's pretty common, especially in EMT-B, to hear someone say "I'm here to learn more about EMS and if it's something I'd like to pursue." Once you get past the entry-level though that's not a great answer seeing as you should already have an idea of if it's something that peaks your interest or you're passionate about from your time in the entry-level class.

2. There's always the guys who started as FF explorers at 15 and do it for their whole lives but there are plenty of people who come from other careers because they wanted something different. We have a medic who was the director of security for a big casino here, worked there for like 25 years, got his retirement and now is a FT paramedic for us. He's gotta be late 50s if not early 60s.

3. City size itself doesn't automatically mean higher call volume but yes more people generally means more calls. Things like crime rate, drug usage, population health, so on and so forth play a huge roll in call volume as well. Generally bigger cities will have a primary 911 provider then an IFT ambulance service or even multiple IFT services. Sometimes these services run 911 backup. This isn't everywhere though. Where I work we're the only ambulance provider in the county for 911 and IFT except for a little Fire Protection District that does their own transport.

More companies means more jobs so you have more opportunities but a bigger city can also mean more applicants.

4. It's pretty easy to find EMS course. I'm sure there's a fair share in NYS. Make sure the program you go to is accredited, but like Akula said, most just want a cert and don't care where you went to school unless your school has a horrible reputation or a really really good one.

5. I haven't seen any hard numbers but I'd guess that less than half of EMT-Bs advance to be paramedics. Even less than that actually advance to being a full time paramedic as a career. I'll echo the 5-7 year average EMS career length. Burnout and health problems (mental or physical) and injuries being the biggest reasons.

Despite popular belief there is money to be had in EMS, you just have to be in the right place. Yes the vast majority of EMS providers are grossly underpaid for what they do there are plenty of single roll EMS departments out there that you can make a salary that allows you to support a family on without having to work 3 jobs and an exorbitant amount of OT.

I'm about your age, 24 years old, single, no kids. My base salary is 50,000/year. The cost of living here is below the national average and we have no state income tax. Not a horrible deal. We top out at like 63,000/year as a standard field medic then if you're an FTO and consistently have trainees or paramedic interns you can end up closer to 70,000/year. That's without working any extra shifts. One extra shift every pay period for me is an extra 330 bucks before taxes. Multiply that by 26 for 26 pay periods per year and you've got an extra $8,600/year. A lot of times I can pick up OT and not work in the 911 system, whether it's teaching or working an ALS event standby.

My salary is about the national average for paramedics and I have gone up our pay scale a bit. Our shiny new paramedic salary is 47,000/year.

Hope this answers your questions.

 

[SeeNoMore]

"1. Would other EMTs and Paramedics be insulted that I have entered the field basically out of curiosity and a stalled life?"

I don't think anyone would care. I don't really wonder why people got into EMS typically.

"2. I am under the impression that a majority of EMTs would have started out as volunteer FF, or related fields. Is that not the case?"

Depends. Certainly that accounts for many EMS folks. Others first worked private transport. As you will learn if you enter the field, EMS is a very varied field.

"3. In relation to city size, what comes of it? Higher volume of calls? Higher pay? Higher chance of landing a job? Mostly concerned with the city of Syracuse (population about 145,000)."

Generally larger cities have a larger call volumes as well as a better chance of landing some job. That does not mean you will get a good job, a job you want or like. At least not right away.

4. How easy is it to find classes or trainings? My community college that I graduated from doesn't seem to offer the certificate anymore.

Typically it is not difficult.

5. I understand that advancement is definitely possible, ending eventually with Paramedics. How many people start off as Basics, and advance to Paramedics? And how many people find other careers eventually?


The majority of Paramedics I know are trying to be something else. Usually Nurses, PAs, or RTs. That being said, most value their experience as Medics. Most also feel they could have achieved the same end by being a Nurse who worked prehospitally. However, it has been pointed out to me in another thread that Nurses do not have that option is every state. I also do know some career EMTs who are happy with no becomming Paramedics. Many also are Firefighters and / or police officers and tend to enjoy the Rescue / 911 element but may not be as interested in going through years of edcuation and taking on loans.

 

[TransportJockey]

Hello all! My name is Mike and have been thinking about entering the field of EMS. I am hoping you all could answer a few questions I have.

A little back story: I am 23 years old and from upstate NY. I have a background in Physical Education (A.S., unfulfilled B.S. degree). I was unable to complete my bachelors due to a number of reasons, one mainly being that my heart was not in it. I realized I got into the field mainly due to the idea of Coaching and sort of had a fall of heart with the whole plan altogether. So I sit here today, wondering what route to take with my life. One thought I have is what better way to gain some life experience and a little cash flow (more than my current part-time childcare position) than by helping people.

This thought would bring me to my first question;

1. Would other EMTs and Paramedics be insulted that I have entered the field basically out of curiosity and a stalled life?
Dude, I had no intention of becoming a medic. I took the basic class because I was bored after being told by my college I had to take a semester off... Freshman year was way too much fun. There's a lot of us like that.
2. I am under the impression that a majority of EMTs would have started out as volunteer FF, or related fields. Is that not the case?
Nope, not the case everywhere. Your area of the country it's very possible that's the most common thing... But your area of the country also has a ridiculous number of volunteer departments.
3. In relation to city size, what comes of it? Higher volume of calls? Higher pay? Higher chance of landing a job? Mostly concerned with the city of Syracuse (population about 145,000).
Here in NM working in the city is really the best paying... no idea over tehre
4. How easy is it to find classes or trainings? My community college that I graduated from doesn't seem to offer the certificate anymore.

5. I understand that advancement is definitely possible, ending eventually with Paramedics. How many people start off as Basics, and advance to Paramedics? And how many people find other careers eventually?
Not only as a medic, but possibly a supervisor and/or CCT/Flight medic. And I started as a basic and have spent time at each level along the way...
I will not be entering this career field with intent on money. Hell, I was planning on being a teacher anyway. I think the idea of landing a blue-collared gig where helping people is the norm, is pretty cool and something you can hang your hat on. Anyway, I'm just trying to gain as much insight as possible before making any decisions.

Cheers :beerchug:

My replies in red

 

[mgr22]

Not much I can add to the answers you already got, so let me just ask: Have you considered getting a BS in some other field? I mention that because, even if you get into EMS, you might discover that a four-year degree creates opportunities for you, or at least helps you establish a contingency plan in case you have to leave EMS due to injury, illness, or dissatisfaction. Nothing against EMS -- I'm just suggesting you consider other majors before abandoning that process.

 

[Syracuse]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. They were informative and helpful. I'm going to start looking around for the best place to take a class and saving up for it as well.

Not much I can add to the answers you already got, so let me just ask: Have you considered getting a BS in some other field? I mention that because, even if you get into EMS, you might discover that a four-year degree creates opportunities for you, or at least helps you establish a contingency plan in case you have to leave EMS due to injury, illness, or dissatisfaction. Nothing against EMS -- I'm just suggesting you consider other majors before abandoning that process.

Yes I have. I am essentially burned out from school. Will I want to go back and obtain a bachelors 5 years from now? Possibly. But right now I feel my best interest is entering the workforce. Especially watching my fellow peers unable to land jobs with their 4year. Grad school is almost a must (in my area at least).

 

[teedubbyaw]

I signed up to do my basic just to try it out as I was trying to find out what I wanted to do. Finished my basic and realized I really enjoyed it. I'm a senior paramedic student now.

I don't think I ever had a clue what I was getting in to, but somehow, I fell in to a field that suits me greatly.

 

[chriscemt]

In response to your first question, I got and still get a lot of odd attention for deciding to go into EMS after having gotten my BS, and having worked for a while in that other industry. Frankly, some of the guys I work with really don't understand why I'm turning to EMS rather than continuing with that career, but it hasn't been negatively received to the degree that it's effecting my career in EMS. I think you would find the degree to which those who are currently in any field to be insulted that you might "try on" their field out of curiosity to be no different, but that's just my guess. EMS is generally a short-lived career, anyway, I don't know that it matters that someone might go into it thinking of only doing it for a short time period...