EMT unable to work on ambulance? Looking for input!

[AlternateTime]

This is my first post, but I have a question for everyone. Are there any states that any know of that will not allow an EMT to work on an ambulance, other than Tennessee?

I ask this as I am recently discovering as a new EMT student, in Tennessee, I will not be able to work on an ambulance, BLS or ALS. While I know TN has had strange laws in the past with EMT-IV, but this is a whole different level. The previous IV class was typically added on to your school curriculum, or as a 40 hour addon, but new rules require AEMT or above on both ALS and BLS units. Basically, an EMT gets their class time on an ALS unit, but upon graduation, we have limited options - firefighter, rescue squad, or a hospital. Rescue squads are all I believe volunteer in this state, and the hospitals tend to want IV related EMS personnel. If you want to work for a fire department, you have to hope they don't have ambulances, since you can't work your rotation on them, only assuming you want to be a firefighter.

Any info would be greatly appreciated! Debating how I'm going to use this information, but I really want to raise awareness in hope of a change. I want to make a difference in my community, but it looks like my state has no interest in this.

 

[JeffT]

Move to another state and/or consider possibilities outside of the ambulance? Mississippi and Missouri are not far away... I'm studying to be an EMR at an Isle of Capri Casino property here in Missouri at the moment, and my instructor is teaching classes at one of the other properties simultaneously too... she technically can take us up to the EMT level since they have to have an EMT on duty 24/7, and our property has about 5 of em right now... If ambulance is what you want move. If not, think outside of the box of other professions... if nothing else go for what your state allows you to do at your level as you take classes to get to the next level.

 

[escapedcaliFF]

Look up medical standby companies for special events. They tend to hire EMTs and have them for special events such as concerts and sporting events.

 

[LACoGurneyjockey]

Further your education? Keep your current job/find a job to work thru school, and go get your AEMT. Or relocate to a region that staffs ambulances with EMTs. I wouldn't fiddle-**** around in a system that will limit you so greatly at your current level though.

 

[NomadicMedic]

Kudos to the state of Tennessee for making the minimum standard on a 911 truck AEMT.

 

[gotbeerz001]

I want to make a difference in my community, but it looks like my state has no interest in this.

Your state is most definitely interested in making a difference in the community; hence the increased standard.

 

[AlternateTime]

Look up medical standby companies for special events. They tend to hire EMTs and have them for special events such as concerts and sporting events.

This is the one area I'm trying to look now - just not having much luck since it seems most of the companies that do the special events, are also the ambulance companies and they've built their hiring requirements around the ambulances. Not giving up on this option though.

Further your education? Keep your current job/find a job to work thru school, and go get your AEMT. Or relocate to a region that staffs ambulances with EMTs. I wouldn't fiddle-**** around in a system that will limit you so greatly at your current level though.

Understood - the only issue I'm seeing with this is that because the National Registry AEMT is new to Tennessee, the first classes in the state are full since all of the Basics are having to upgrade, and also because the new rules require Paramedic students are now required to have the AEMT prior to enrollment. Out of state is of course an option, it's just a hassle honestly. If I'm getting into learning IVs and advanced airways, I would rather have more than 6 days on site somewhere to learn how to do them properly. Nothing wrong with the online, out of state, or condensed stuff, just not what I'm looking for if I am wanting to advance my skillset.

Kudos to the state of Tennessee for making the minimum standard on a 911 truck AEMT.

It's great that on a 911 truck you have people with a higher level of education, but as an EMT here, you cannot do BLS transports either. How would you like to have gained your EMT and not been able to even do dialysis transports, facility moves, etc? Would you have gone to class to get your EMT only to have to wait a year before being able to take another course to advance your skillset, to even get a job? I understand you're a medic, I'm asking you to think back a bit and put it in perspective.

Your state is most definitely interested in making a difference in the community; hence the increased standard.

Understood - I have nothing wrong with an increased standard, but I don't see a point in a certification level that can't practice - it would be nice to get the some sort of opportunity to learn while working before advancing. I guess I should have given more specifics on what information I gave, but I was really only interested in knowing if this is the only state with this limitation.

Since it seems I may be the only person thinking this rule is a bit odd, let me give a little more information based on my personal experience, and see what the responses are based on this. I am a National Registry EMR right now, with a state certification to practice as an EMR. I have been functioning as an EMR for the past year with a local rescue squad. I do 911 calls currently, and more frequently than not, I get to work calls before ANY unit arrives. My scope of practice aside from ambulance runs are identical in nature to the EMT with the exception of a NPA, Nitro, Aspirin, and the Epi pen. Since the standards are higher, I guess it's a good idea to allow an EMR to care for a patient of upwards of 15-30 minutes by themselves instead of letting an EMT drive while a Paramedic provides the ultimate patient care? I'm not looking for an opportunity to get to run lights and sirens, I get to do that currently. I'm just looking for additional experience based on exposure from working on an ambulance. I think this will make me a better first responder, even if it's only on a BLS unit.

Take away the ambulance from an EMT, and you basically have an EMR, I feel I know this from personal experience, and the scope of practice I'm given.

Now, let me add to the fiasco a bit. The Basic EMT program is 16 semester hours. The Advanced EMT program is 16 semester hours. In the portion of the state I am in, cost is approximately $3000-$3500 per program. Would you pay $7000 for an education to predominately drive an ambulance for the Paramedic providing patient care at $8-$15 an hour? Just asking, not saying it's right or wrong. Obviously the scenario is a little different on a BLS unit, but I'm not trying to get specific on function, just trying to provoke thought.

Also, make sure you see above in my note that the classes are full right now - it will likely be next year before I can even participate in an AEMT program. I will continue on my path of volunteering my time with a local rescue squad, and continuing on with my normal day job, but I am heartbroken that I cannot apply my functional skill difference of working on an ambulance into an opportunity to work. I feel the possible opportunities would be the greatest advancement of my knowledge at this point in time, until the opportunity arises to advance my school-level knowledge.

 

[emtB123]

In Wisconsin, specifically on my service, we have to have 3 people to roll, keep in mind this is an intermediate service. A driver, and either a basic and and an aemt or 2 aemts in the back. The aemt classes in my area take credits you've earned as a basic and adds on to it. So it only costs about $500-1000. Medic courses here only run about $6000.

 

[AlternateTime]

In Wisconsin, specifically on my service, we have to have 3 people to roll, keep in mind this is an intermediate service. A driver, and either a basic and and an aemt or 2 aemts in the back. The aemt classes in my area take credits you've earned as a basic and adds on to it. So it only costs about $500-1000. Medic courses here only run about $6000.

That seems like an interesting idea. I could definitely see how that concept provides that higher level of care that Tennessee seems to be hunting for. I don't know who comes up with some of these ideas, but some of them seem brilliant, some seem not very well thought out.