About to Graduate EMT School - What's the Job Market Like?

[bjl12]

The classmates that I've talked to informed me that new grads have a difficult time finding work...and are limited to volunteering at their local squad or doing transport. I've also heard some mutter about "ER/ED Tech" jobs, but that they're usually reserved for people with connections.

I live near a major city along the northern east coast and am in awe that, even as a new graduate, I may face employment difficulty.

Does anyone have any information on this? Or suggestions about how to take initiative or be proactive?

 

[SeeNoMore]

Not getting the job you want and not getting a job are vastly different things.

Generally speaking (because we don't know your exact location) Transport jobs are the easiset jobs to get. Few find them thrilling.

Rescue Squads and City/Fire jobs may be an option but a lot depends on the system in question and when they are hiring. Could take years depending on when they last hiring. Many rescue squads are hire those they already know. Connections are very important for these jobs.

Volunteering can help with connections but some places don't let volunteers become paid. It's also financially difficult for many to spend time not at a paid job.

ED Tech jobs are often better money. They can be harder to get depending on the needs of the ED/Hospital floor.

Good luck.

 

[medicsb]

Yes, in EMS, it is often who you know not what you know. I started out doing non-911 transport (fulltime) and volunteered with a 911 service (6 hours a week). Almost a year later I got hired with a volunteer fire company that paid EMTs to staff their ambulance (pay was worse than IFT). Then through a connection, I finally got hired on to a better 911 service. That connection was made by working with medics and nurses as an EMT/driver for a critical care IFT service. But, this is all location dependent, so you may have more or less hopes to jump through.