Best state and county to work as a paramedic! ?

jonathan carreto

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Hey ems ! I was wondering some of your guys' opionion's and thoughts on some of the best areas to work in the US as a paramedic/FF . Good pay? Good protocols ? Alot of action!? I am a Medic student at the moment in caifornia. I love california and everything about but this awesome state but it can get alittle expensive here lol so with that being said, my paramedic program is based on national standards. So im considering moving out of state. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
 
Fire based? Look for almost any major city and you'll get good pay. You'll also get plenty of "action" in a big city. Just realize that action typically means "My tummy feels upset, I might throw up." All of the glamorous P1 trauma stuff is pretty uncommon no matter where you go, except maybe somewhere like Flint/Detroit- but then there goes your pay...

Texas has a lot of systems with good protocols, both fire based and single role.
 
Thks stxmedic! My dream department is LA City Fire department. But then Again i gotta leave my options open! Thks bud
 
I might be biased, but if you want progressive medicine and low cost of living Texas would probably be the best place.

Yep. Texas all the way. MedStar in the DFW area has a great reputation if you need a company to look at.
 
I know a lot of Colorado is Fire Based EMS. at least on the western side of the state. I guess better question is do you want to be a 5 minute medic or a 911 transport medic? If you just want to do fire/ems and not transport than pretty much any where in the Northwest.
 
Texas and North Carolina both seem to have very progressive services.
 
Texas and North Carolina both seem to have very progressive services.
I second this sentiment (and am wildly biased pro-NC). The palindrome States MN and NM also appear to value clinical judgement over protocols. Idaho has some progressive services as well. DE has wonderful services as well. Just know that there are many, many different delivery means and you may want to find a State whose model matches your goals. For example, if you want firefighting AND EMS, then NC is not your State; there are precious few FD's that deliver ALS care.

I think you'll find there are great places to work in every State.
 
How difficult is it to get hired at some of these places?
 
How difficult is it to get hired at some of these places?

I do know the northwest is very competitive, normally like 30-40 people testing per position
 
See I'd like to work in texas, but at the time don't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting certified in states where there's really low chances or opportunities to work. Hence the problem
 
I heard a rumor that Ada county is testing in March for paramedics (Idaho)
 
See I'd like to work in texas, but at the time don't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting certified in states where there's really low chances or opportunities to work. Hence the problem
If you have your NREMT, a lot of areas in TX don't mind you applying with the stipulation that you must get your TX card before you can start orientation and work. I know WilCo and ATCEMS are like that.
 
Good to know!
I'm gonna give some of these places a call. Cant hurt.
 
See I'd like to work in texas, but at the time don't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting certified in states where there's really low chances or opportunities to work. Hence the problem

Most places in Texas are not super selective. For the most part, I think Texas is feeling the paramedic shortage like the rest of the US. Since TX licenses are good for 4 years, you get pretty good bang for you buck. When I got reciprocity in TX a while ago, all I needed was my NR card and a paper signed from my current state EMS office and ~$125 (can't remember how much money it was exactly).

Acadian ambulance appears to be offering a $10,000 bonus for new employees right now...but I have no idea what the stipulations on it are. Does anyone have details?

Also looks like Medstar is hiring. If I could go anywhere in the world to work, it would be to Medstar. Highly progressive system, great protocols, good pay $16-$21/hr, and the standard of living in DFW is high, while the cost of living is not.
 
These are all 911 companies with EOA? Acadian is confusing to figure out where they do 911 not just IFT or back up
 
Acadian in beaumont and se texas.does 911. Medstar is primary 911 in Ft Worth. Linus works.there I think
 
Most places in Texas are not super selective. For the most part, I think Texas is feeling the paramedic shortage like the rest of the US. Since TX licenses are good for 4 years, you get pretty good bang for you buck. When I got reciprocity in TX a while ago, all I needed was my NR card and a paper signed from my current state EMS office and ~$125 (can't remember how much money it was exactly).

Acadian ambulance appears to be offering a $10,000 bonus for new employees right now...but I have no idea what the stipulations on it are. Does anyone have details?

Also looks like Medstar is hiring. If I could go anywhere in the world to work, it would be to Medstar. Highly progressive system, great protocols, good pay $16-$21/hr, and the standard of living in DFW is high, while the cost of living is not.

Acadian offers 10,000 bonus with a 2 year contract. You get 5k on your first paycheck and 5k on your 1 year. They do BOTH 911 and IFT in SE Texas (Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, Nederland, Port Neches, etc.). Be careful, If you want to do 911 don't go to Houston, Acadian only does IFT there. HFD does the 911.
Given the chance Id recommend Medstar. Nice area with good protocols. My friend works up there and enjoys it.
 
Im tempted by Acadian. I liked the Beaumont area when j drove through
 
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