College student considering volunteer EMT?

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plsguy

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I'm currently a full time engineering student. I've been thinking about taking a course for EMT-B and becoming a volunteer EMT. I have no intention of making it a full career but its still something I'm interested in doing. Am I crazy for thinking about it? I know I can put in the time to study in the course and other assorted training (I've overloaded on credits the majority of my semesters) but is it something feasible?

Again like I said, its not going to be a career move for me but just a way to volunteer and help out. I've always been interested in health care, just medical school isn't for me.

Thanks.
 
Only you can decide what is right for you.

Is it possible for you to do this? Absolutely! Is it the right thing for you? I don't know.

You may get bitten by the bug and decide that EMS IS what you want to do with your life, or you may accomplish just what you set out to do.

Personally, I'd say go for it provided you can do it without taking away from your college studies. A real degree will earn you a lot more than an EMT-B certificate.
 
I Love Being An EMT you should try it it's not for everyone tho you ether got it or you dont
 
Depending on where you are, it might be a great thing. You can learn a lot and also have fun, and help out your fellow students at the same time. We have a member on here who was involved as a college-based first responder. Several schools in my area have first responders or ambulances that are staffed by students.

If your school has a QRS or EMS program... talk to them and start volunteering... most don't need you to be an EMT at first... you can start riding along and then get your EMT.
 
plsguy said:
I've always been interested in health care, just medical school isn't for me.
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Just a reminder... there are other career opportunities in health care besides becoming a physician. Like... a gazillion.

Something to keep in mind also... some volunteer EMTs are on call, meaning you are tied to a pager and if it goes off, you go. This can be extremely tricky when you're busy with school and/or work. I know this firsthand.

This isn't to discourage you from going for it, because you may find it extremely rewarding. It isn't necessarily going to be easy though.
 
How many hours per week would the average volunteer EMT put in?
 
Hey, in my department where I used to work we've got a chemical engineer who is an EMT-I.

He moved to our side of the country and volunteered, then soon he gave it up and now his fulltime! It will always stay your decision what you want to do, but I would say give it a try.
 
I was just reading about a volly EMT program on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta. They send students thru the basic program and they have a little campus club. It looks like tons of fun!
 
paramedix said:
Hey, in my department where I used to work we've got a chemical engineer who is an EMT-I.

He moved to our side of the country and volunteered, then soon he gave it up and now his fulltime! It will always stay your decision what you want to do, but I would say give it a try.
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Haha thats actually my major too.

As for going through my school, we're attached to a major area hospital and the EMT program on campus is extremely competitive. I know people with better credentials than me who were not able to get in. They have something like a couple of hundred applicants each year but only accept about a dozen.

Plus the schedual of their classes isn't the most convinent. From what I'm told its sunday all day for the actual classes. I'd prefer the scheduals that I've found from local area FDs which are night classes 2-3 weekdays a week.

I wouldn't be able to do anything until at least the end of the present semester, so all good things to think about for now. Thanks.
 
if it is something you are interested in, there is no reason not to pursue it...
you won't really know how you feel until you have submersed yourself in it for a while...

i would say, if you are thinking of it as a "hobby", it is not... it is a second career...

the commitment you make as a volunteer is very large. to be skilled, you need to go on many calls... that takes a fair amount of time.

then, there is the continued education... many, many hours of CME classes, extra studies, training, drilling, reading, and practicing...

i am probably underestimating the commitment. that is what's necessary to be a skilled emt, who happens to be volunteer.

being a volunteer means taking what many have as a career, and adding it to an existing one. it means doing for free what others get paid for.

it does NOT mean doing less of a job, or treating it as a hobby, or something you can just put a little of your time towards... the public expects and should expect much more than that.

so, do i think you should give it a go? sure... but just be fully aware of what the job demands, and make your own decision.
 
We have two engineers on our SAR unit, one chemical and the other retired Army Corps of Engineers. I work as an office manager/engineering tech for a Civil Engineering firm.

I would think that when you are in school, if you are still planning on a career in Engineering, you might prefer to use your summers/off time to do an internship with a firm doing the type of engineering you are considering.

If you are interested in looking at medical/health type careers, you might look into Perfusionist. I have a friend who does that at a Cardiac Unit. Says its part EMS, Part Engineer. He started doing that as a PA, went on to become an ER doc.
 
I was a full time Materials Science & Engineering (basically Chemical) engineer. The summer before my first semester, I got EMT-B certified at a community college that had a one-month training program.

I started volunteering with the FD, about 20 hours a month, and since then I've switched my major to Nursing. Like someone said, you get bit with the bug. I'm also starting an on-campus, student-run EMS group like the one Erin mentioned at Emory.

So you could keep it as just a side-thing, like when I was volunteering 20 hours a month. Or you could go all the way with it. I think there's plenty of room to go to either extreme, or anywhere in between. Good luck to you.
 
Hours per month? That depends. In PA, you need 24 hours of con-ed credit every 3 years... in reality - figure 1 weekend a year or so of training after you get your EMT (EVOC, ITLS, CPR recert, etc).

As for volunteering: It really depends on how busy the squad is... At the place I vollie, we run 5000+ calls a year, and have 2+ crews on station 24x7. The average volunteer runs 1 (or maybe 2) 6 hour shift a week. The minimum you are techincally allowed to run is 2 6-hour shifts a month. WE usually get 1-2 calls per crew per shift... but we VERY occasionally go 24 hours without a call.

If you are somewhere slower, you might run more shifts, but run from home, and/or study at the station. As I said... it depends on the enviroment you will be volunteering in and how they work... a smaller service will usually have fewer volunteers, so you'll run more shifts, but take fewer calls per shift than a busy service.



If the local FD's EMT classes are more convienent... then take thier classes. You might have to pay for it yourself, though. However, most EMT classed cost between $300-$600, so it isn't a huge cost, and the first aid knowledge is good.


Anyway.. talk to the local EMS org and see if you can do a ride-along and see what it is like. What state are you from?
 
You know some colleges run their own campus squad and give discounts to those who help out. If it is something you wnat to do and you can do it without burning out, go for it!
 
plsguy said:
I'm currently a full time engineering student. I've been thinking about taking a course for EMT-B and becoming a volunteer EMT. I have no intention of making it a full career but its still something I'm interested in doing. Am I crazy for thinking about it? I know I can put in the time to study in the course and other assorted training (I've overloaded on credits the majority of my semesters) but is it something feasible?

Again like I said, its not going to be a career move for me but just a way to volunteer and help out. I've always been interested in health care, just medical school isn't for me.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Other fields in medicine include engineering. EMS is a good backround because you work with alot of devices like strechers and stairchairs. Engineers designed those. Its a good reason to get into EMS.
 
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