combat medic getting out of the army.

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combatmedic089

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hi, right now im a combat medic in the army and am nationally registered as an emt-b. im going to be getting out in about a month and i had some questions. first, im going to go to south carolina when i get out, do i need to get a sc certification or is the national registry enough? a friend told me i only needed the nr but this is the guy we dont let touch patients...

and, will i be a driver? i have plenty of clinical and trauma experience and i feel it would be wasted as a driver, and besides i hear the actual "medics" get paid more the the driver.

any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
You need to have state registration in whichever state you are going to work. The national registry certification does not allow you to practice at all. If you are working an emt-b/medic crew you will likely be driving unless the medic lets you drive on a BLS call.

Yes medics get paid more then EMT-B. If you are going to do this as a job I would suggest going to paramedic school. Remember you wont be able to do many of the things you can currently do in the army.
 
and, will i be a driver? i have plenty of clinical and trauma experience and i feel it would be wasted as a driver, and besides i hear the actual "medics" get paid more the the driver.
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For most services, as an EMT-B, you're going to be driving. If you're partnered with a medic, chances are that's about all you will be doing. For EMT-B driver vs. EMT-B non-driver (if you can find such a job), they pay is about the same for both: barely enough to live on. Welcome to a job where you are one of several dozen if not hundred applicants for the same position because the training is so pathetically simple.
 
that really sucks considering my experience. we do so many things civilian emt-b's dont get to do. uughh.
 
combatmedic089 said:
that really sucks considering my experience. we do so many things civilian emt-b's dont get to do. uughh.
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Your work environment is also different than that of a civilian EMT-B. That's why you can do more. How much experience do you have on the medical side of things? Trauma and medical calls are two entirely different things.

Goto school and get your paramedic license.
 
combatmedic089 said:
hi, right now im a combat medic in the army and am nationally registered as an EMT-b. I'm going to be getting out in about a month and i had some questions. first, I'm going to go to south Carolina when i get out, do i need to get a SC certification or is the national registry enough? a friend told me i only needed the NR but this is the guy we don't let touch patients...

and, will i be a driver? i have plenty of clinical and trauma experience and i feel it would be wasted as a driver, and besides i hear the actual "medics" get paid more the the driver.

any help would be greatly appreciated.
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You can gain State Cert here if your NREMT is current and your CPR card is current. You will need to file the recip paperwork through DHEC, get a background check done and send in necessary paperwork and copies. EMT-B's in South Carolina have a greater scope than most areas. Advanced Airway Management with Combi tube, King and LMA are the norm. As an EMT-I you only get the extra IV-therapy and ETT. You will be driving a great deal. Most medics here do not like to drive and they are senior on the truck. I am fortunate that my partner likes to drive so the only time I don't is when treatment requires him in the back. He also knows I am in paramedic school and that I have over 20 years experience so he is pretty easy on me. Where are you planning on living, working? Maybe I can help.
 
HotelCo said:
Your work environment is also different than that of a civilian EMT-B. That's why you can do more. How much experience do you have on the medical side of things? Trauma and medical calls are two entirely different things.

Goto school and get your paramedic license.
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I second this. I'm assuming you'll be eligible for the GI bill or whatever it is, so Uncle Sam will pay for schooling. One of my coworkers is doing this, he's just finishing medic school after being in the military.
 
crazycajun said:
EMT-B's in South Carolina have a greater scope than most areas. Advanced Airway Management with Combi tube, King and LMA are the norm.
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Can basics use nitro, epipens, cpap? And I don't mean assist with the patients? Also are you allowed to check bgl?
 
Tommerag said:
Can basics use nitro, epipens, cpap? And I don't mean assist with the patients? Also are you allowed to check bgl?
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Nitro, Epipen and CPAP yes. BGL w/ finger stick No
 
Welcome back. Unfortunately the civilian world doesnt recognize military training much at all. Did Aviation Electroincs in the military and couldnt even get a plane refueling job out here. Did get one PE credit when I went to college though. WOOHOO.:sad: Use Sams money to be a paramedic or better yet, get an RN degree and make some real money! Best Wishes!
 
crazycajun said:
Nitro, Epipen and CPAP yes. BGL w/ finger stick No
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Lol, you can give nitro (not the patients), use an epipen, but you cant even do a finger stick for BGL. I still can't get over how that works.
 
Tommerag said:
Lol, you can give nitro (not the patients), use an epipen, but you cant even do a finger stick for BGL. I still can't get over how that works.
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Agreed. It used to be ok here but changed and fell under IV therapy scope which is EMT-I or better. Things changing soon though. South Carolina trying to do away with EMT-B and going straight to Advanced EMT and Medic only.
 
crazycajun said:
Agreed. It used to be ok here but changed and fell under IV therapy scope which is EMT-I or better. Things changing soon though. South Carolina trying to do away with EMT-B and going straight to Advanced EMT and Medic only.
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Well that wouldnt be so bad then. Just never understood how you can do other things which to me requires more knowledge then sticking someone to get a bgl.
 
crazycajun said:
Nitro, Epipen and CPAP yes. BGL w/ finger stick No
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That's crazy. I can do spray nitro, epi pen, CPAP, C-spine clearance, Albuterol, Narcan, CPAP, start IVs draw blood and give fluids. I'm a basic.
 
I heard this all the time from returning military people.

It is what it is.

You have the benefit of patient contact and the prior knowledge. Just go through the training again, consider it review and a chance to network.
 
clibb said:
That's crazy. I can do spray nitro, epi pen, CPAP, C-spine clearance, Albuterol, Narcan, CPAP, start IVs draw blood and give fluids. I'm a basic.
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What state are you in?
 
clibb said:
Colorado.
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SC feels that EMT-B doesn't learn enough in school to offer IV therapy. Can you do advanced airway? Combi, King, LMA?
 
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crazycajun said:
SC feels that EMT-B doesn't learn enough in school to offer IV therapy. Can you do advanced airway? Combi, King, LMA?
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That's because they don't. I believe most states that do it(TN) require additional educational hours beyond just skills training to perform it.
 
jgmedic said:
That's because they don't. I believe most states that do it(TN) require additional educational hours beyond just skills training to perform it.
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I don't think the 20 hour IV class is enough either. Seems most state that allow B's to do IV's only require this class.
 
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