Vegas AMR/Medicwest

[bucfan397]

This online community has been very informative so far, so I figured that since there are so many experts on anything and everything Las Vegas on this site, I could use your knowledge.

I am taking my NREMT-P exam in NYC at the end of the month, then submitting my application to AMR/Medicwest. I'm 23, grew up in LA, but have been in NYC since graduating from college in DC last year.

First of all, do you recommend Las Vegas as a place to live as a young, single guy? Furthermore, is it a good place to get experience as a new medic?

My primary concern is that I move out there only to get stuck on ALS transport trucks and not in the 911 system. If I stayed in NYC, I could be on the streets ASAP, however I wanted to live closer to home.

If you could get back to me, I would appreciate it. Thanks- Matt Lebow

 

[TransportJockey]

MedicWest/AMR ALS trucks are 911 system trucks that can get pulled to do transfers if needed. Honestly I've thought a little about transferring to one of the two places. We had a transfer from there for a while and I've deployed with teams from Vegas and I have heard mostly good things about the system down there.
Plus one of the services has Dr Bledsoe as the medical director. Can't get better than that lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[Fire51]

Las Vegas AMR and Medicwest would be great experience but the only down side is the Fire Departments are in charge down there and also do transportation if they fill like it. It's a very busy system done there and would be pretty fun to. I am a AEMT and I am thinking about going to test there. I have also talked to people that have worked there, they loved it but hated living there and got tired of how busy it was and tired of the FD. Its great to go get some experience. Best of luck to you.

 

[Handsome Robb]

They're no busier than we are when it comes to calls/unit, they just deploy a lot more ambulance. We have a lot of guys and gals here that used to work in LV, it seems like they either loved it or absolutely hated it.

Like Fire51 said, The FDs are the medical authority and generally will transport the "good" calls and pawn everything else off on one of the EMSC ambulances (EMSC owns both AMR and MW). I've heard fire medics get a small bonus for every transport they take but that's hearsay so take it at face value.

Certification-wise you wouldn't need a NV cert because Clark County has their own OEMS. I know you have to sit for a protocol exam as part of the certification process. I don't know how much it costs, I don't hold a Clark County P-card.

As far as volume you're looking at 7-10 calls a 12 sometimes more sometimes less. Pretty sure they're all MDT down there so minimal radio traffic. System status management posting.

I'd have gone down there if it wasn't. A million degrees year round and if they had snowy mountains. I've heard some nutty stories from people that worked down there.

I wish we ran on the schedule they do. The 4-3-3-4 is awesome with the 4 day weekend every other week and they somehow did it without a salary cut. If I'm not mistaken you'd be in the 40-45k/year range as a new medic there.

 

[Fire51]

It seems like people go down there to work for a little bit then they leave, people usually don't stay there but there are a few that do. I would really like to work down there but the whole fire being in charge just isn't right. My thought is the medic transporting is in charge it's your patient so your in charge kind of thing. But like I said it would still be good experience!

 

[RocketMedic]

On the downside, you will have to work with (under) Fire and you may not be placed as a paramedic immediately, MedicWest has been known to have brand-new medics ride as Intermediates for six months beforehand. Have you considered Oklahoma? It's just as busy, we run all medical, pay is identical, we're soon to be AMR, and it's about as removed from NYC as it gets without leaving the comforts of a metropolis.

 

[bucfan397]

How long has the policy of FD being med control on scene been in place? It seems pretty backward that they would have the final say in normal pt contact. It would seem more logical that they assume control for MCI/Haz-Mat situations, but youre telling me that they can assume control over a cardiac arrest? Wow.

 

[Fire51]

How long has the policy of FD being med control on scene been in place? It seems pretty backward that they would have the final say in normal pt contact. It would seem more logical that they assume control for MCI/Haz-Mat situations, but youre telling me that they can assume control over a cardiac arrest? Wow.

From what I have heard its who ever gets on scene first runs it, they both work good with each other on scene and have respect for each other, its mostly all political. That is information I have heard from people that work/worked there.

 

[RocketMedic]

How long has the policy of FD being med control on scene been in place? It seems pretty backward that they would have the final say in normal pt contact. It would seem more logical that they assume control for MCI/Haz-Mat situations, but youre telling me that they can assume control over a cardiac arrest? Wow.

First on-scene, but when in doubt, defer to fire. Your job isn't worth an argument.

Now, here at EMSA, I run medical, no questions asked. There is something to be said for a clear chain of responsibility.

 

[Nicmanrobert]

I don't know where some people get their information about amr/Medicwest but most of the time fire works hand and hand with them. The only reason why the wouldn't is because the don't feel confident with the paramedic or Emt that they are working with. I have had numerous calls where fire has rode in the rig hand and hand with us. The heat is not to bad during the winter months and the plus side is you will work lots of hours and can always work mor!!

 

[SandpitMedic]

I'm bold...

They're no busier than we are when it comes to calls/unit, they just deploy a lot more ambulance. We have a lot of guys and gals here that used to work in LV, it seems like they either loved it or absolutely hated it.
Cant comment because I don't know who "we are" is/are... It is busy busy busy...I can say that there are constant post moves or calls. You can imagine the constant bs- more so than other systems, and I've worked in 4 diff urban systems.

Like Fire51 said, The FDs are the medical authority and generally will transport the "good" calls and pawn everything else off on one of the EMSC ambulances (EMSC owns both AMR and MW). I've heard fire medics get a small bonus for every transport they take but that's hearsay so take it at face value.
EMSC is now ENVISION, name change- meet the new boss, same as the old boss. We work with primarily 3 diff fire agencies. North Las Vegas Fire has like 2 rescues (ambulances) and we transport; Las Vegas Fire & Rescue (city fire) does a lot lot of transports but we still transport out of that area frequently enough; lastly- and the largest AOR is Clark County, with the Clark County Fire Dept. they have sooo many units, and if one of their medics transports you- you will probably die. (They are rusty----- rusty.... like "whats the dose for etomidate, se need to intubate this guy?" rusty. They are primarily a non transporting agency. If you're not a downed fireman or cop you're getting transported by MWA or AMR. Also, you may run in Henderson - GODS in their own minds- on mutual aids. I cant discount the Vollies up at Mt Charleston and out in the desert towns, where you will be medical command. First on scene will be command- although, there are fire crews notorious for coming in and bumping guys. Once the PT is in your rig---- you get it. Fire will ride in with you if needed. Alas, working with fire here is like working with fire anywhere- it is what you make it, and some guys are tool bags- some guys are cool- and some guys forget where they came from. There is no bonus for any FD for transports. However, at AMR/MWA you do get a $55 bonus for every shift in which you run 7 transports and your PCR is billable(without any errors.) I said transports- not calls. And 7 transports is easily done if you give a hoot to do that and are willing to burn yourself out like that. Easily you could get 12-15 calls per day. F

Certification-wise you wouldn't need a NV cert because Clark County has their own OEMS. I know you have to sit for a protocol exam as part of the certification process. I don't know how much it costs, I don't hold a Clark County P-card.
The Southern Nevada Health District issues all certification levels for Las Vegas; EMT AEMT/I and PM. The protocol exam is cheap... Don't recall exactly and it has probably changed. Google could figure that out. EMT Basic: dont waste your time- you'll be hired by MWA working night clubs, pool parties, rodeos, and other events (as well as IFT) getting puked on nightly for 8 bucks an hour. EMT-I /A is the minimum cert required to work 911 and you will get picked up by whomever is hiring, be that AMR or MWA. If you get hired at MWA you will start in events&IFT and likely be stuck there for at least a year, but you are able to pick up 911 shifts which is fun. The pay at MWA 9 & change per hour for events; 10 & change per hour streets--- AMR 11 and change for 911 or events. MEDICS.... Pay is MWA 13 for 90 days and then a bump to 16--- AMR is 14 for the first 90 days then on up to 17 hourly plus 2% bonus if you hold a NR card as it is not required to be kept up to date by the SNHD. I know I know--- you're thinking same company, same job, different pay... I know. Weird. The AMR side is union, MWA is not. Also- all you can eat overtime. A new medic working 5 days a week could pull 60-70k starting depending on the agency and amount of hustle. Base is around 43-48k. Also, I dunno where the 4-3-3-4 thing came from; we work a regular 4-3 split like everywhere else full time
As far as volume you're looking at 7-10 calls a 12 sometimes more sometimes less. Pretty sure they're all MDT down there so minimal radio traffic. System status management posting. i already hit this point

I'd have gone down there if it wasn't. A million degrees year round and if they had snowy mountains. I've heard some nutty stories from people that worked down there.Hey now, it snows up at Mt. Charleston. They have some slopes. It's only an hour away. Also, Utah has great slopes only a few hours away as we'll as Big Bear in CA. It's hot as hell from May-September though. Dry heat until it starts to Monsoon in July.

I wish we ran on the schedule they do. The 4-3-3-4 is awesome with the 4 day weekend every other week and they somehow did it without a salary cut. If I'm not mistaken you'd be in the 40-45k/year range as a new medic there.

I hit this one too

Anyways--- yeah. I work in LV. So hit me up with any more questions.

 

[Fire51]

I'm bold...


I hit this one too

Anyways--- yeah. I work in LV. So hit me up with any more questions.

Do you enjoy working there? May be a dumb question be is it good experience, are you ever in charge of scenes over fire or get to do your advanced skills? I have heard fire takes all the so called good calls and dumps you with the other stuff. I am a AEMT and have thought of testing with them but you say new employees get stuck on special events for a year or so before transporting over to the field. Just looking for some info, so any info you have that might be good woud be nice.

 

[SandpitMedic]

Did you read what I wrote in bold in the previous post?
You may find answers about running with fire. Using your skills? Sure, you'll use them. How often depends on the color of the cloud above your head.

Personally, I like it. I enjoy running. Makes the day go by faster. I dislike being dropped Code 3 calls while I still have a PT on my gurney though. It has pros and cons. It is a different system- a different animal- than I've ever been involved with. New medics to the system will also sometimes be placed to work as an intermediate for 6 months on the streets to learn the lay of the land and rules ( I guess is managements reasoning) SOMETIMES. Supply and demand you know.

One final point- it is great experience, and it looks stellar on a resume. 911 in Las Vegas.
Lots of exposure to various traumas and medicals due to the volume. Lie anywhere else it's 90% B(L)S though.

 

[bucfan397]

Sandpit- I'm coming from a NYC medic program, are the new medics being placed as intermediates a person-by-person decision by mgmt? Also, what has been the current demand for medics in LV?

 

[SandpitMedic]

Case-by-case basis currently. If you bumble f your initial 10 ride familiarization internship then there is a good chance you'll be placed in (and paid as) an EMT-I/A slot.

Demand is sooooo high right now.
It's only gonna get better. The local PD and FDs are testing now, so many spots will likely be opening as well too.

 

[bucfan397]

So basically if you have half of a brain, you shouldn't have a problem being a newbie medic...

 

[TransportJockey]

Now I'm rethinking my decision to stay here for school. Are there any decent PA programs out there? Or any EMS BS degree programs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[SandpitMedic]

Quarter of a brain that is organized as follows: BS, BLS, ILS, then ALS.

As for PA or EMS degrees I have not looked into it locally. I've only been around for like a year. They have Toro University here and UNLV... I'm sure they both have a PA program and EMS degrees.

 

[Rhonda]

Now I'm rethinking my decision to stay here for school. Are there any decent PA programs out there? Or any EMS BS degree programs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

No decent PA programs out here

 

[Fire51]

No decent PA programs out here

Did you get hired straight on a 911 ambulance or did you have to do special events and how long, also how do you like it out there?