Benefits of being an instructor ?

[mpc83]

Hi all!
I am looking into becoming a BLS/ACLS/PALS instructor thru the AHA .... What are your thoughts /views on this as an EMT/Medic and does anyone view it as a benefit in finding a job or starting with a new company? Could it possibly give me a leg up over other medics? Thanks as always for you amazing (yet sarcastically educational) opinions
~M

 

[NomadicMedic]

Here are the benefits of being an instructor.

1) I get paid to teach.
2) At my service, every medic is required to have an instructor card in "something"
3) ... Uhhh...

Yeah. That's it.

 

[Medic Tim]

Hi all!
I am looking into becoming a BLS/ACLS/PALS instructor thru the AHA .... What are your thoughts /views on this as an EMT/Medic and does anyone view it as a benefit in finding a job or starting with a new company? Could it possibly give me a leg up over other medics? Thanks as always for you amazing (yet sarcastically educational) opinions
~M

Unless they have a degree of some sort, how/why could a basic do/teach acls/pals. I could be wrong but I thought basics couldn't get acls/pals cards. I thought they could only audit the class. I know it has been watered down over the years but still.

With alphabet soup certs you are expected to tow the company line. Most of these certs don't really teach you anything. You are more facilitating than teaching/instructing. So besides getting paid and having the title I really don't see how it benefits your practice......unless they are required for employment.

 

[EMT-Tony]

Well whatever instructor you decide to become (I am a DOT instructor as well as AHA BLS/CPR) it could possibly benefit you in a job search but you have to keep in mind it will only help if the service you apply to has a 'regular' education program. If they only teach 1 CPR class every six months or not at all your instructor cards might not get you far. Just research the service prior to applying so you know if you get a interview if you can use your teaching credentials as brownie points.