Criminal History/Very Very Odd Question Re: Qualification

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jfoiler

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I am signed up to begin an EMT class beginning in a couple months. I know there are strict guidelines regarding the hiring process of EMT's and Paramedics. Here's the background:
-I was arrested in 2004 for DUI, minor consumption, and operating a vehicle @ a .08 blood alcohol level. I was pulled over for a tail light that was out, registered a .09, & was taken into custody.
-Ended up pleading guilty to 1 count of Reckless Driving (it was my first offense, passed 3/4 field sobriety tests, no accident involved.).
-Then, however, I violated my probation by failing a urine screen for marijuana. I was in college and was a "habitual" smoker of marijuana. While I do not smoke anymore, I did and still do to this day advocate responsible personal use.
-Therefore, I believe on my record I have plead guilty to 1 count of reckless driving and 1 count of violating probation.
-My license was suspended for 3 mths but has been reinstated for over 3 1/2 years now and have not had a mark on it since.

I no longer smoke marijuana, nor have I for the past year. Again, not because I disagree with it, but I have career aspirations that I hold to a higher regard than recreational substance use.

-Is it possible for someone with my background, even if I pass every test offered to me, to get a job in the EMS industry?

Any thoughts or opinions would be quite helpful.
 
Unfortunately your question is not that odd.

The only people that can accurately answer your questions work for your State's licensing office.

You might also check if your State DMV requires a different Driver's License classification for driving an ambulance. If so, you will need to check the requirements for obtaining the new classification.

While you will get a lot of good advice here, much of it will be based on personal opinion or knowledge of each individual's State licensing requirements.

So, check the facts through your State EMS licensing office before you get discouraged.
 
Ditto to Vent's response. Now, just because the State will allow you does not mean an employer will hire you though. I would check with local EMS ( if you plan to work in that area) and see what their local insurance requirements are.

They maybe or may not be able to do such. Albeit, you have kept your nose clean for a year, you may have to demonstrate more with time or additional classes.

Investigate further and deeper.


Good luck!

R/r 911
 
You will face two hurdles:

1. Getting your license (already mentioned above).
2. Gaining Employment

I would think it would be near impossible to gain employment as an EMT-B with your background. I used to be part of a healthcare organization that was a networking group for many of the large/small EMS services in the area. They all did background checks, and a DUI sure doesn't look good when you'll be spending a majority of your time in a vehicle.

I wish you the best of luck!
 
Understandable, however I do not have a DUI on my record. My current company does a county, state, and federal background check and for some reason the reckless driving conviction didnt even show up (and I'm still residing in the same county I was in for the arrest). I went through college and did some dumb college-things. Certainly I would not be immediately blacklisted for something that happened 3-4 years ago, would I?
 
I just obtained my official history and the probation violation is not on there. It says as follows:
Arrest Detail: 1 Count OWI (Misdemeanor, Class A)
1 Count Operating Vehicle/.08 BAC or Higher (Mis., Class C)
1 Count Illegal Consumption (Misdemeanor, Class C)

Filed Charge: Illegal Consumption
Disposition: Dismissed

Filed Charge: Operating a Vehicle @ .08 BAC or Higher
Disposition: Dismissed

Filed Charge: OWI
Amended Charge: Reckless Driving (Mis., Class B )
Disposition: Guilty

Sentence: 180 Days (178 Suspended)

So I basically have 1 reckless driving conviction from 2004 on my record and clean since (not even a speeding ticket). Does not having the probation violation/marijuana charge help me out at all?
 
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for the last misdemeanor on the last post it is supposed to be "Class B" and not "Class Smiley-Face w/ Sunglasses" : )
 
jfoiler said:
So I basically have 1 reckless driving conviction from 2004 on my record and clean since (not even a speeding ticket). Does not having the probation violation/marijuana charge help me out at all?
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I am sure you are a nice guy and all. I also agree with others, to get a legal judgement, you need to contact your state EMS division, and as well local employers.

Now, if you were in my area, I would personally not even read past your record. You would be considered a high risk, and my insurance company would not consider of placing you on the roster until it cleared. Which in my area is about 3 years.. so you would be approaching it.

Again, this is my area alone. Be honest and upfront with employers, some have more leniency than others.

Good luck,
R/r 911
 
Well I contacted my state's EMS office and thankfully, the lady told me that it would not be a problem as long as there has been nothing prior. She said I would just need to check the appropriate box and send documentation which would have to be approved by a certain person, but that it would not be a problem!

It feels good to know that a stupid mistake I made in college (and havn't made since) will not haunt me forever. Thanks for all of your advice and imput.
 
Congrat's and good luck !

Remember, one can have fun while in EMS but has to be responsible. I do see many that make foolish attempts and gamble with their career.. like anything else, one is only allowed so many rolls of the dice..

R/r 911
 
Listen to this, my Braddah!

This is how I got to be a paramedic:

In 1972 I got popped for dealing marijuana on the school grounds of the Queens Hospital Center School of Nursing (NY) where I was one of its first male students.

I was charged with a felony (or three?) and sentenced to jail for a year. This was in the NY City prison system. When I got out ('cause, really, I was basically just a nice kid from Long Island!), I immediately got my old job back in an operating room. I was scared to death of going back to the slam so, to structure my time, I found the local volunteer ambulance corps was looking for volunteers (Flushing, Queens).

I applied and made a very important decision in my life: I did NOT lie on the application about my criminal record. They turned me down precisely because I was an ex-con.

Then, I made the most important decision of my life: I would not let them say no because I knew that if I bent over for them I'd be bending over for everyone for the rest of my life (It's a Macho reference, I know, but not meant to demean anybody, just paint a vivid picture).

The way I handled it was to make sure I met personally with every person in the Corps. I took -- on my own -- every course asked of me and kept moving as if I were already in. I would not let them see me for anyone other than who I was -- a person re-directing his life. Six months of lobbying this very straight and professional organization, and I got in.

Truth is, I got involved in EMS because I had to, not because I wanted to. I thought jumping in a converted Cadillac hearse and running calls was pretty cool and a good structure for my off hours. It would serve me. The fact that I actually had to get an 8 hour ANRC First Aid Card before I could attend the dying did not dissuade me!

It wasn't until a couple years later that love of the profession kicked in. At first, as I learned the ropes as one of the first EMTs in NY, it was enough for me that I maintained my self-respect.

Use this as you will, and blessings on your path!

(BY THE WAY>>> In the early 1970's, when paramedic services just started springing up from out of nowhere, on the Eastern Seaboard a significant number of the first classes were composed of the dregs of the earth, like myself. To do ambulance work you only needed to answer two questions: "You got a a driver's license? Do you puke at the sight of blood?" Most attendants LIVED in funeral homes and for three hots and a cot, hauled cadavers. When it was necessary, they ran "courtesy calls" for the cops (on roatation with other funeral homes in the area), the deal being that were the patient to die, that funeral home responding had first dibs on the body.)
 
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I hope you continue to pursue this. I am sure you will break in. It might be difficult but keep at it.
 
Be aware that the reckless driving may be more of an issue that the substance abuse. Whatever agency you work for will need to insure you. Some insurance companies will issue an exclusion of anyone with an 'unsatisfactory' driving record. Depending on the rules in your state, regarding driving abstracts and how many years they go back into your history, you may not be the most desirable candidate for a job since you may not be able to drive for them until the reckless driving drops off your record.
 
The original post refers to DUI/Substance abuse concerns. However, what if someone has a felony, theft-related, conviction that is over 10 years old? Would it be impossible to find employment as an EMT?

I'd really like to become an EMT, classes are forming here in January, but I am a bit worried that I'll go through all the training only to find that my history excludes me from becoming employed.

Thanks
 
EMSnoob said:
The original post refers to DUI/Substance abuse concerns. However, what if someone has a felony, theft-related, conviction that is over 10 years old? Would it be impossible to find employment as an EMT?
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Actually I should probably start petitioning the court to expunge my record before I start EMT training.. it was such a minor offense and occurred about 12 years ago it should be possible.
 
EMSnoob said:
Actually I should probably start petitioning the court to expunge my record before I start EMT training.. it was such a minor offense and occurred about 12 years ago it should be possible.
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If classes start in January, yeah, you better start the expungement process NOW. My wife's an attorney in both Maryland and Ohio and she's told me to get records expunged can take MONTHS.
 
EMSnoob said:
The original post refers to DUI/Substance abuse concerns. However, what if someone has a felony, theft-related, conviction that is over 10 years old? Would it be impossible to find employment as an EMT?

I'd really like to become an EMT, classes are forming here in January, but I am a bit worried that I'll go through all the training only to find that my history excludes me from becoming employed.

Thanks
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I dont see why you wouldn't be able to take the class and get your EMT card in the mean time. I don't know how employers will look at it but your crime was not patient related which would be their main focus. And since it had been more than a decade you could probably explained how you matured with age.
 
history

Glad for you that you got a positive sounding response from your state office.

As for finding employment, as it was pointed out in another post, you may experience some problems. But do NOT get discouraged if you come across a potential employer who won't hire you, try someone else.

In my area, different agencies have different criteria for lets say drivers based on the individual insrance company guidelines.

Good luck.
 
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