Couple Questions...mostly revolving around pure ignorance (sorry)

[Chall09]

Dear Fellow EMT's,

After I finished college in March of 2009 I decided to get my EMT-Basic certificate. I wasn't sure if that was the direction I wanted to go in life but I went and got the certificate just in case. This was all when I lived in Ohio.

Last month I made a massive transition and moved out West to Northern California. Since I've been here I've been applying to any and all jobs with no avail. In truth I've been a little bit of a puss because I haven't pursued any type of EMT position what-so-ever. Even when I lived in Ohio I didn't apply anywhere. Why? Good question...my answer isn't bulletproof but it mainly revolved around some anxiety,vfear, and depression I was going through at the time. Thankfully I seemed to have gotten through this in a timely and healthy manner.

Anyways...on to the ignorant questions of mine:

Since my job search has been fruitless I'd like to take a stab at getting into the EMT-Basic business. Eventually I want to get back in school and pursue a Master's or doctorate but the experience and knowedge I'd learn as a EMT would be priceless.

So if I want to be an EMT here in California, do I have to take the test over again to get certified here in California?

Can you guys tell me what the pay is like? I know it's not very much but I'd still like to have an idea of what I'd be making.

Should I pursue private ambulance services or local? Any preferences?

Any and all information pertaining to what I have to do is important.

Thanks for any and all help!

Sincerely,

Chris Hall

 

[MrBrown]

Since my job search has been fruitless I'd like to take a stab at getting into the EMT-Basic business. Eventually I want to get back in school and pursue a Master's or doctorate but the experience and knowedge I'd learn as a EMT would be priceless.

What do you want to do your Masters in? How is 120 hours of training and driving Grandma to the day clinic going to be "priceless"?

I don't mean to rag on you mate but that sounds a bit perplexing.

Oh and if you read these forums it seems EMT-Basic in California are a dime a dozen and its notoriously difficult to find work.

Now, go to Burger Joint down by Fishermans Wharf and get me a cheeseburger with a chocolate shake; thanks ^_^

 

[8jimi8]

you need to do quite a bit of internet searching my friend.

to answer your certification questions i will point you here.... nremt.org

i would click on the reciprocity map and look between ohio and california to see if you have to do any retesting.

2nd of all i live in texas, know nothing of california, but I'm pretty sure it is county specific on the details of getting your state license (in terms of getting a license to drive an ambulance)

You can look at the upper right hand corner to find the search function, after which, you can find many many threads about the amount of money EMTs make.

Another good thing to search would be: emt-basic, california, average yearly wage.

Sorry i couldnt be of more help, but i'm sure there will be some more people along behind me to spoon feed you

 

[Veneficus]

could we have a sticky for getting a job in CA. along with what to do if you have driving or criminal infractions?

" can't get a job as a basic in CA" is really getting old, sorry.

 

[JPINFV]

Have you tried contacting the county of where you want to move to? To the best of my knowledge (and, to be honest, my knowledge of California reciprocity is limited), you have to have NREMT to become certified. I do know that there is no longer a California specific state exam as California uses NREMT for original licensure.

 

[TransportJockey]

could we have a sticky for getting a job in CA. along with what to do if you have driving or criminal infractions?

" can't get a job as a basic in CA" is really getting old, sorry.

I asked for a Cali specific forum a while back so these threads don't clog up the forums... but they said no

 

[dudemanguy]

If this forum is any indication, there seems to be more EMTs in California than the other 50 states combined. Good luck finding a job.

 

[John E]

It's simple...

California does EMS county by county.

Contact the county EMS authority where you hope to work, they'll have a website that should list what you'll need to do to get certified as an EMT.

You will have to either take or provide evidence that you've taken and passed the NREMT test no matter which county you're in.

In addition, sometime this summer, the state is taking over the issuing of credentials for all EMS providers, the county office you contact will be able to fill you in on the details but in a nutshell, you'll still work thru the county EMS authority but you'll be issued an additional state wide credential, that will of course involve paying another fee. In addition to the fees, you'll be required to have a background check done thru the FBI. It wasn't clear if that is in additional to the one already required that's conducted by the California Dept. of Justice using the LIVESCAN fingerprinting system.

As for wages, all over the board.

Good luck.

John E

P.S. as for "these threads" clogging up the forums, what pray tell is the purpose of these forums if not to provide some information? If you don't know the answer, please don't clog up the thread with mindless comments. Better to ask where to go for help than to rely on the often incorrect information that usually gets passed along.