Columbia, SC EMS companies anyone knows about?

[Mya]

I've just recently moved to Columbia, SC and was wondering which companies anyone recommends OR knows anything about? I had an interview with Richland county EMS but heard their scheduling sucked and that Lexington county ems pays more (I have no idea how much so if anyone knows please tell me!) and has better scheduling. What about IFT companies? I'm just really out of the EMS loop here. Thanks!

 

[RocketMedic]

So Richland County is, by many reports, terrible. Really expensive health insurance, terrible operational policies or lack thereof, and a director who has either failed to change anything of substance or hasn't tried. They're also the county where the assistant county administrator (guy over public safety) literally told people with grievances to commit suicide. (http://www.walb.com/story/36129010/...themselves-if-they-didnt-like-job-will-resign). He left, but the deeper problems affecting that organization remain unchanged and even his resignation was voluntary- the perception they give is that they give no cares about their people or their community. If you can find the original local news article, there's an impressive letter detailing some very troubling practices and deficiencies.

I don't know anything about Lexington County, but I would reckon it's better than a place like Richland.

 

[agregularguy]

So Richland County is, by many reports, terrible. Really expensive health insurance, terrible operational policies or lack thereof, and a director who has either failed to change anything of substance or hasn't tried. They're also the county where the assistant county administrator (guy over public safety) literally told people with grievances to commit suicide. (http://www.walb.com/story/36129010/...themselves-if-they-didnt-like-job-will-resign). He left, but the deeper problems affecting that organization remain unchanged and even his resignation was voluntary- the perception they give is that they give no cares about their people or their community. If you can find the original local news article, there's an impressive letter detailing some very troubling practices and deficiencies.

I don't know anything about Lexington County, but I would reckon it's better than a place like Richland.

+1 to this.

If you're willing to commute an hour and a half from Columbia, Greenville County is a fantastic place to work, good health insurance, better pay, progressive protocols. Decent scheduling as well.

 

[DrParasite]

Based on what I read on the News, as Rocketmedic said, I would avoid Richland like the plague.

and I think NC is better than SC (in terms of pay, at least from what I read).

 

[Mya]

Based on what I read on the News, as Rocketmedic said, I would avoid Richland like the plague.

and I think NC is better than SC (in terms of pay, at least from what I read).

The only thing that sucks is that I need about 200 more patient care hours before I can submit a few of my graduate school applications (PA) and I need them ASAP so after working Richland for a bit, I think I'll definitely move around. I don't think its worth it for NC though, seeing as I JUST got my reciprocity thing taken care of for SC. And I only expect to be EMTing for about another year. Thank you!

 

[Mya]

+1 to this.

If you're willing to commute an hour and a half from Columbia, Greenville County is a fantastic place to work, good health insurance, better pay, progressive protocols. Decent scheduling as well.

Doesn't sound too bad hahha too bad I don't have a car yet...and since I only have 5 months experience in 911, I guess Richland can be "good" experience until I move on. But damn I'm definitely a little skeptical about working there.

 

[Mya]

So Richland County is, by many reports, terrible. Really expensive health insurance, terrible operational policies or lack thereof, and a director who has either failed to change anything of substance or hasn't tried. They're also the county where the assistant county administrator (guy over public safety) literally told people with grievances to commit suicide. (http://www.walb.com/story/36129010/...themselves-if-they-didnt-like-job-will-resign). He left, but the deeper problems affecting that organization remain unchanged and even his resignation was voluntary- the perception they give is that they give no cares about their people or their community. If you can find the original local news article, there's an impressive letter detailing some very troubling practices and deficiencies.

I don't know anything about Lexington County, but I would reckon it's better than a place like Richland.

WOWOWOW I really had no idea. I know that they're short staffed ALWAYS but still, wow. I will definitely look it up! The only issue is that I'm trying to submit some graduate school apps within the next two months that need 150 more patient care hours from me...so I'll work Richland for a bit and then move on the better places. But thank you for the eye opener!!

 

[DrParasite]

WOWOWOW I really had no idea. I know that they're short staffed ALWAYS but still, wow. I will definitely look it up! The only issue is that I'm trying to submit some graduate school apps within the next two months that need 150 more patient care hours from me...so I'll work Richland for a bit and then move on the better places. But thank you for the eye opener!!

So based on my experience with the PA school application process, there is a high probability of not making it in the first round. Nothing personally, but there are waaaay more applicants than spots available, so competition is high, and your competing against premed students who didn't get into med school and now want to take their 4.0 full time student college GPAs and try the PA school route. So don't be shocked if you don't get in the first time.

That being said, if you just need 150 more patient care hours, getting hired by a county system only to get 150 hours sounds like a lot of time and effort, when there are better things you could be doing. I mean, if you will be doing 12 hour shifts (which is standard in EMS), you'd have that done in 13 shifts, which can be completed in less than a month. If you I looking to do EMS as a career, or as a career until you get into PA school, I would definitely look at other systems. And if you do get accepted, you won't be able to work while you are in school, so make sure you have a way to support yourself for the next two to three years of your life

 

[RocketMedic]

Why not literally volunteer or go somewhere sort-of rural?

 

[Mya]

Why not literally volunteer or go somewhere sort-of rural?

I also want to make money right now, just to be a little more stable. Are you talking about somewhere out of state or in state? I moved out her because my bf got a fire job lolol so basically I'm just chillin here for a year or so.

 

[Mya]

So based on my experience with the PA school application process, there is a high probability of not making it in the first round. Nothing personally, but there are waaaay more applicants than spots available, so competition is high, and your competing against premed students who didn't get into med school and now want to take their 4.0 full time student college GPAs and try the PA school route. So don't be shocked if you don't get in the first time.

That being said, if you just need 150 more patient care hours, getting hired by a county system only to get 150 hours sounds like a lot of time and effort, when there are better things you could be doing. I mean, if you will be doing 12 hour shifts (which is standard in EMS), you'd have that done in 13 shifts, which can be completed in less than a month. If you I looking to do EMS as a career, or as a career until you get into PA school, I would definitely look at other systems. And if you do get accepted, you won't be able to work while you are in school, so make sure you have a way to support yourself for the next two to three years of your life

Ughhh I know, even applying is stressing me out. I actually was so close in applying to med school haha but decided this way was better. Yea, with how long ago some of my courses were, this is pretty much my one shot. I FEEL like I have a pretty good chance and at least ONE school will accept me (whatever school that is, I'm going). I also feel like PA programs view your application more hollistically? Not saying they don't care about GPA, but they look at your hours and all the other stuff you've done!
Job wise, I really just want a job with great hours and off time because I plan on travelling during this year before school. EMS here pays me more than in Cali SO I just jumped on it. I don't know too much about other jobs, but I know teaching and lab tech work (things I'm qualified to do) pay me less.

 

[JollyRoger]

Please don't go to Richland EMS just for the "call volume"... Check out Lexington. Vastly different. Great protocols. EMT's have good protocols and the medics have really good protocols as well. Better work life at Lexington with better management. Lexington still runs plenty of calls. Everyone is right as well about getting into PA school. I wouldn't bank on the first attempt. I'd dig in for the long haul.

 

[Mya]

Please don't go to Richland EMS just for the "call volume"... Check out Lexington. Vastly different. Great protocols. EMT's have good protocols and the medics have really good protocols as well. Better work life at Lexington with better management. Lexington still runs plenty of calls. Everyone is right as well about getting into PA school. I wouldn't bank on the first attempt. I'd dig in for the long haul.

Yea I'm definitely about to apply to Lexington seeing as that Richland is taking forever in getting my background check(which they asked me to get on my own). How are the type of calls versus Richland? I just really want to work on my skills and thought that since Richland has more crime lol that the calls vary more than in Lexington but I honestly don't know or even care at this point.

 

[JollyRoger]

Yea I'm definitely about to apply to Lexington seeing as that Richland is taking forever in getting my background check(which they asked me to get on my own). How are the type of calls versus Richland? I just really want to work on my skills and thought that since Richland has more crime lol that the calls vary more than in Lexington but I honestly don't know or even care at this point.

Haha. The calls are going to be pretty much the same. You'll still run shootings, stabbings and horrible wrecks. The big difference is lexington can have a longer transport to the ER in some parts of the county. IMO EMTs can do more skill wise in Lexington than Richland. You'll become a better EMT there.

 

[Mya]

Haha. The calls are going to be pretty much the same. You'll still run shootings, stabbings and horrible wrecks. The big difference is lexington can have a longer transport to the ER in some parts of the county. IMO EMTs can do more skill wise in Lexington than Richland. You'll become a better EMT there.

I'm actually pretty excited to apply to Lexington now and will definitely give up Richland. Thanks for enlightening me lol but I do feel better going with them now. I'm pretty much over trying to run a call with my boyfriend who works for the FD in Richland(doesn't seem too fun after all). I'm also reeeeally glad these counties use power gurneys. I had emailed Mark Goudelock about the company as well and overall it seems the best fit. Thanks! Let me know if I should know anything else!

 

[JollyRoger]

As long as you are not grossly overweight or out of shape you'll be able to pass the agility test and the VO2 max test. Some people get hung up on those.

 

[Mya]

As long as you are not grossly overweight or out of shape you'll be able to pass the agility test and the VO2 max test. Some people get hung up on those.

Not a problem! I applied to them a week ago so I'm still waiting to hear back. I also just applied to Lexington Medical Center too. If I don't hear back in another week or so its IFT for meee lol (Lifegaurd, AMS, and Life Medical are the ones I've heard of).

 

[JollyRoger]

Look at First Priority for the privates. They are pretty good. Good buses and equipment. Lexington just did two big hiring processes so not sure when they next is.

 

[Mya]

Look at First Priority for the privates. They are pretty good. Good buses and equipment. Lexington just did two big hiring processes so not sure when they next is.

Oddly enough, Richland offered me a job a few days ago, a day after first priority. I'm going to go with Richland for now and see what's up. If I don't like it then I'll try out some other places. Maybe even try and get into that SWAT medic life if I can haha which is pretty good experience too and something different. Thanks for all the help!