Austin Travis County EMS hiring Paramedics and paying them as Basics

[chriscemt]

Don't places without income taxes have higher sales taxes and luxury taxes? (i know that Texas does this, I think)

Not necessarily. I don't have a link, but I think John Lott goes through this in one of his books, showing how removing property tax helps a state's revenues without raising sales tax. Basically, by removing the property tax, your citizens have more money to spend on other things, and sales tax revenues increase without increasing the sales tax rate.

It's up to how you lean politically to decide which model works best, I guess.

 

[usalsfyre]

Isn't it zero for food here? Excluding restaurants that is.

Zero for basic food stuffs, prepared foods will run more.

 

[scotshy]

If anyone has general questions I can try to answer them. PM me or ask on here.

If someone is hired as a basic, what is the typical process in getting certified as a paramedic? Is there a particular local community college favored that they can go nights to complete the requirements? Is that common? How long does it take?

 

[Chewy20]

There is no program here that caters to working here. Austin Community College has a VERY good program, but it is 2 years at least and they don't care where you work. Also can no longer do your ride time with ATCEMS if you go to ACC and work here. There is also Temple college, and EMTSA which requires you to take the AEMT course prior. Other than that, you would have to travel to San Antonio pretty much.

Whatever route you choose it wont be easy, and you wont have much of a social life. I am weighing all those options at the moment against just taking degree classes.

 

[STXmedic]

UTHSCSA... Just saying [emoji6]

 

[scotshy]

There is no program here that caters to working here.

Sorry, are you saying you'd have to take a leave of absence from ATCEMS or just that there isn't a designated "ATCEMS program"? Do you have co-workers that are currently paramedic students?

 

[Chewy20]

UTHSCSA... Just saying [emoji6]

Whats their schedule?

 

[Chewy20]

Sorry, are you saying you'd have to take a leave of absence from ATCEMS or just that there isn't a designated "ATCEMS program"? Do you have co-workers that are currently paramedic students?

You can not take a leave of absence from working here. Its civil service and full-time required. What I meant was ACC, especially, does not care you work for the city, they want to be your main focus and they always come first. Yes there are people in ACC and they all say its an awesome program that goes above and beyond, but there is a lot of hoops to jump threw, and they dont help you out. 5 semesters minimum.

Also know someone here taking an online program. (not sure what one)

 

[STXmedic]

I can't tell you 100% yet what it will be next year (August), but it will likely be MWF class in the first semester, then TTh class second semester.

 

[Chewy20]

I can't tell you 100% yet what it will be next year (August), but it will likely be MWF class in the first semester, then TTh class second semester.

Well that aint gonna work.

 

[STXmedic]

I figured. It's not terribly conducive to full time employment, unfortunately. Guys make it work, but the first semester can be rough.

 

[RocketMedic]

You could always drink from the TEEX firehose lol.

 

[EMT Training Center]

Working in Austin, TX can be quite intense. Since bars drives the night life, expect many drunken encounters and cleaning up after the belligerent

 

[EMT Training Center]

Still rewarding work albeit, but expect some interesting situations. Your Trauma Training will really be useful

 

[Chewy20]

Still rewarding work albeit, but expect some interesting situations. Your Trauma Training will really be useful

uhhhhh k?

 

[RocketMedic]

Lol Austin is where the textbook comes to life.

 

[Tripletwo]

Chewy

Are employees treated well there? Decent wages, advancement potential and benifets? Basically are you happy there? I am flying in from New England for the exam. I am a paramedic in a busy urban system being busy doesn't bother me. I'm Trying to find a place where I can do a career and be happy. Any opinions you have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NomadicMedic]

http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2015-05-08/high-stress-at-ems/

 

[RocketMedic]

"Two years" by policy as a basic.

ATCEMS's hiring policy appears to be designed to exclude the experienced, prideful and not-so-meek.

 

[Chewy20]

"Two years" by policy as a basic.

ATCEMS's hiring policy appears to be designed to exclude the experienced, prideful and not-so-meek.

Yeah we know @RocketMedic you say the same thing every time someone asks something, give it up.

@DEmedic That article is a good representation of what the field medics are going through. Theres a lot of good people here, but its becoming not worth it.