anyone remember me posting about the interview I had?

[Epi-do]

It was a few months ago. I then went in for a mega code about a month and a half ago. They had told me they typically don't hire medics without a year of street experience, but had called me back for the megacode because I interviewed so well. They called me today to offer me a part-time position, filling in for vacations, sick days, etc. I go on Friday to do my drug test and pick up paperwork to fill out. I also will set up my schedule to precept at that time as well.

It is a pretty small department, so I am not sure how often I will be picking up shifts, but it is more rural than where I work fulltime. It is also quite a bit further away from the big hospitals and trauma centers. I have always thought it would be cool to work in an area that was more rural than where I am at. For the last 10 years, I have always worked urban EMS, so it should be a pretty exciting change for me. It will be interesting to see just how different the protocols will be as well.

 

[Sasha]

YAAAY! I'm so happy for you! Congrats!

 

[Epi-do]

Thanks! When he called, I had to sort of laugh a little bit to myself. He started the call off with, "I'm sorry it has taken so long, but we had to figure out what we wanted to do with you."

 

[Sasha]

I'm sure you'll be fabulous :] They took so long because they had to make room for such a smart and fabulous medic they just couldn't pass up!

 

[rmellish]

Congrats.

A rural service near central indiana huh, which cardinal direction?

 

[fortsmithman]

Congrats you will do great.

 

[Epi-do]

Congrats.

A rural service near central indiana huh, which cardinal direction?

Not truly "rural" in the same sense as other parts of the county, but definately rural compared to Indpls. It is southwest of the "big city," and the county is mostly farm land and smaller, farming communities. (And I refer to Indpls as the "big city" loosely.)

 

[AJ Hidell]

Congrats! I'm sure you'll do great. But this kind of concerns me:

When he called, I had to sort of laugh a little bit to myself. He started the call off with, "I'm sorry it has taken so long, but we had to figure out what we wanted to do with you."

It seems as though they are saying that they think you're not good enough for full-time, but good enough for filling-in in a pinch. That sounds like a very incompetent philosophy to me. If they think you need more experience to be competent, then they should be placing you full-time with experienced preceptors in order to develop you into your full potential. By only utilizing you PRN, when they really need a warm body, sounds like a recipe for stagnated development and abuse.

It doesn't sound like they have your best interests in mind. It also sounds as though they may be operationally incompetent. Those kind of people -- no matter how nice they are -- are dangerous to work for, so watch your back and be careful.

 

[flhtci01]

Congrats!

Sounds like you made a favorable impression and they don't want to miss an opportunity.

I in sort of the opposisite situation. I am mainly in a mainly rural area but work PRN in an urban setting. I get more than enough hours working PRN because I fill in for both Medics and EMTs. It seems like someone is always wanting time off. Just means more hours for me!

 

[Sasha]

If they think you need more experience to be competent, then they should be placing you full-time with experienced preceptors in order to develop you into your full potential. By only utilizing you PRN, when they really need a warm body, sounds like a recipe for stagnated development and abuse

Or maybe all positions were filled, and they were very impressed with her in the interview and are keeping her PRN until a full time position opens up?

 

[AJ Hidell]

Or maybe all positions were filled, and they were very impressed with her in the interview and are keeping her PRN until a full time position opens up?

Certainly possible. But maybe not too. That's why I simply recommended that she keep her eyes open, not turn down the offer.

 

[Epi-do]

Congrats! I'm sure you'll do great. But this kind of concerns me:


It seems as though they are saying that they think you're not good enough for full-time, but good enough for filling-in in a pinch. That sounds like a very incompetent philosophy to me.

I had applied for the PRN position. At the time, they were hiring both full-time and PRN, but I love where I am currently at full-time. The people I work with are great and I have been given some wonderful opportunities that other FD EMS programs don't typically give to their employees. I have no desire to leave my full-time position. I just thought this would give me a change to expose myself to something other than urban EMS.

The issue for them was that while I did have several years of experience in EMS, the vast majority of it has been at the basic level. I have only been a medic since last October, and typically they don't even consider hiring medics with less than a year of street experience at that certification level. I took his comment as a compliment, more along the lines of "you are the type of person we are looking for, but just don't have the experience we typically want. However we are willing to take a chance and let you prove yourself" than to mean "you aren't good enough to work here full time."

 

[AJ Hidell]

Oh cool. I understand better now. Sounds like just what you wanted, so that's great! Congratulations and good luck!