There was a gal I worked with a handful of times who had big gash scars on her arms consistent with cutting/suicidal ideation. She wore short sleeves very often. Always thought that was weird.
To answer your question, I guess not.
Epic thread bump.
A gap in employment for that stretch of time, plus being a new mother...I don't think it would be an issue if you didn't work. If asked about it during an interview, I would tell it like it is. I was a new mom and my husband was informed he would be transferred in a few months, so it didn't seem...
I would recommend you continue working as you apply to 911 gigs. A gap in your employment history doesn't look great and if you're off the line for a long period of time, you may have to do a significant amount of retraining. Also, and I don't know how long you've been doing this, but if it is...
That said, you should eventually want more than just EMT. I know it is hard to visualize, but you need to start thinking big picture.
What you could with just an EMT cert:
-Seasonal or odd job EMT (Theme parks, Amazon, Correctional facilities)
-Private ambulance EMT
-Volunteer firefighter...
No, it is typical to not have experience driving an ambulance as entry level, you'll go through all that in orientation and you may even have to take a driving course again at that time. I had CEVO but then my agency wanted EVIP.
As far as entry level positions go (and as a disclaimer I'm not from the East coast), I would peg you as a top level quality candidate-provided you can swimmingly move through an application process. Are you pursuing a degree in an EMS related field?
Join the military, and with your current goal in mind - throw every thing at it over the course of those four years of enlistment.
1.) Will give you job experience that can belong on any and every resume.
2.) Will give you funds, sustenance, housing, medical, dental and purpose.
3.) Will give...
So, most agencies don't differentiate. The only time AEMT will do anything for you, at least to my knowledge, is possibly on the East side (Yakima or Spokane regions) with AMR or in the rural parts of some Counties on the East/West side (like Lewis County for example) with volunteer fire...
When did they begin requiring that? Must've been within the last year. I was doing BLS 911 without a medic on the rig with a different agency in Pierce.