Diabetic EMT

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Jon925

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What's goin on ladies and gentlemen?

Alright so I have a couple questions, I am currently a unemployed NREMT-B. I've been working on all of the appropriate steps for being able to start my career, but the only thing thats currently holding me back is the DMV, as I am a type-1 insulin dependent Diabetic, there are quite a few loop-holes that I must jump through before being able to get my ambulance drivers cert.

I have completed my dl-51, medical examiners notification etc. my endocrinologist determined that I am fully capable of operating an ambulance, but thats not enough, my driving record is clean as a whistle, but thats not enough, Ive never had a diabetic related accident, nor have I been involved in any driving related accident, but thats not enough either. After speaking with the DMV today, all I can do is submit the application and wait. They informed me that they are " backed-up 90 days " and that I have a " 50/50 " chance of getting either approved or denied. Although I have no idea what that would be based off of.

Basically, I am itching to start my career in EMS, if anyone has any advice or opinions on the best route for me to take as of right now I would greatly appreciate it. I live in contra costa county, I was thinking about possibly trying to find an ambulance company that would just hire an EMT attendant, rather than a driver, but I'm really not sure how much luck I would have with that. My girlfriends dad, who was a EMT-P with AMR said that I may be able to explain the situation to the ambulance company and see if I could just get a job as an attendant, but regardless, im still not sure if I would have any luck with that. I'm looking for any, and all options to start working as an EMT-B without having to wait 90 days ( or more, knowing the DMV ):rolleyes: for the red or green light on my ambulance drivers cert...

SO! With that being said, I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback! And thanks for taking the time to help!
 
sounds like volunteering may be your only option, my friend. Don't worry it never hurts to show up at the door with 6 months of experience.
 
i do worry tho. that you may, at some later point, end up complicating the scene and compromising patient care, if at some point you inadvertently become a 2nd patient.

One who, I might add, would probably take priority over the patient you responded to.

I'm not saying that you are irresponsible, or incapable. Just that you are human.

just my humble opinion
 
There are plenty of ambulance companies who will hire non-driving EMTs. So you can always start applying or talking to HR departments as you wait.

Unfortunately, a strict reading of the physical requirments for the Ambulace Driver Certification doesn't look good.

A person is physically qualified to drive a [commercial] motor vehicle is that person:
...
(3)Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin for control.
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However, it does later talk about oral hypoglycemic agents the possible exemptions. Also these rules are made more for long haul truckers than EMTs, so the DMV might grant an exemption based on that.
 
Appreciate the feedback, the thing is that I know of a number of diabetic ems professionals including emt's and ff's that have been doing this for a long time, including many, many people that have reported type 1 insulin dependent diabetes online saying that they work in EMS with no problems at all. Unfortunately, none of which I have had the opportunity to speak with, yet. But I know they are out there.

Technology has come a long way and controlling diabetes and managing normal blood glucose levels is getting easier and easier, a simple glucose tablet that can be easily put in your pocket can quickly bring up sugar levels in a case of not being able to eat, or some minor form of hypoglycemia. Regardless, I understand what youre saying, being human, anything can happen.
 
JPINFV said:
Also these rules are made more for long haul truckers than EMTs, so the DMV might grant an exemption based on that.
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Right, as they told me at the DMV, these rules are generally established for a Class B CDL, the difference is that the ambulance cert. isnt technically considered a CDL, the weight or peoples in transport simply just isnt there.

Although I dont know if that makes a difference or will sway their opinion, like I said, they told me I have about a 50/50 chance. Despite that, I would love to start working in the field.
 
It's deffinitely possible, I worked a guy that was a type 2 diabetic. He actually went into a diabetic coma one time, and didn't wake up for a call, so we had to push d50. Our management was cool, so they just away his driving privilages for a while, than he got them back after about 6 months. It's deffinitely possible to get a job with diabetes even as a driver. My old partner even managed to get a job with LA county sheriffs with his diabetic issues, even though he had to prove that he had his diabetes under control for a year.

Also, there was another guy that was a Type 1-insulin dependant diabetic and he was also a driver, and he never had any problems.
 
Thats what I like to hear...

So I guess my best bet would just be to either start applying as an attendant while I wait on the DMV or look for some volunteer work ?
 
I just read the qualifications to obtain a ambulance drivers lic. in California and Im guessing fifty percent of current EMS providers wouldnt qualify.

Come on you cant get a lic. if you have had a heart attack, arthritis or high blood pressure.....Ridiculous.

I got a few words for them Americans with disabilities act.
 
Good luck with that, it won't get anywhere. California treats an ambulance driver's license as a CDL does it not? For regular CDLs there are restrictions on who can get a CDL on the Federal and State level, so those regulations are obviously legal.

When I worked primary care we did CDL physicals. You couldn't be on certain medications (including insulin), have HTN or several other conditions. Whether we like it or not companies can restrict who they hire based on health conditions that pose a safety risk. The ADA can't force a company to hire a blind man as a delivery driver, or a bank teller. I also believe that if a company's insurance won't cover someone that is justifiable reason to not hire them. For example, a delivery driver who has had a seizure within the last 2 months, and the company's insurance requires 6 months.
 
Right, regardless of how well my diabetes is controlled, I already knew that I would run into complications with this choice of career, however, as I said before, it can be done, and if there is a will theres a way, if I have to find a private ambulance company that hires attendants and work there, until I get enough experience for medic school, then thats what I will do.

I know there are plenty of medics that dont drive. I have no intention of giving up.

I think that there are so many common misconceptions about diabetes in EMS. Where as someone with some severe neuropathy may not be able to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia, someone with well controlled diabetes can recognize the first sign of low blood sugar levels well before they cause an issue. I realize that this wont sway the DMV's decision, but...It is in my honest opinion BS.

If at any time my ability to operate an ambulance was impaired in any way it would be a simple fix to simply have my partner drive instead while I took a second to reach into my pocket and pop a glucose tablet in my mouth.
 
Did I miss something? One of my best friends is a diabetic medic, and one of my instructors was also a diabetic Paramedic. They both operated 911 ambulances...
 
I'd move.

A good friend of mine is a type I diabetic EMT. She works with me at the amusement park so she doesn't drive. Regardless, I think the important thing is that she is a nazi about controlling her diabetes. She has a pump, very carefully controls what she eats and when, checks her sugars often, and responds quickly to any sense that she's getting low. Those of us who have worked with her for a while also can tell when she's getting a little bit low (although she'll let us know too). She is an awesome EMT and takes really good care of her patients.

I'm not sure if you're aware of it or not but she loves this website. They say it best.... "If you are looking for a "Poor Me, I am diabetic" support group, you've come to the wrong place."

This shirt alone is enough to make me like them....
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LucidResq said:
I'd move.
I'm not sure if you're aware of it or not but she loves this website. They say it best.... "If you are looking for a "Poor Me, I am diabetic" support group, you've come to the wrong place."

This shirt alone is enough to make me like them....
280
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Thank you everyone for the feedback, any and all opinions are very much appreciated...
 
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MOVE! California sucks....at least for EMS.
 
Consider a clinical job while waiting for driver cert

Jon925 said:
What's goin on ladies and gentlemen?

Alright so I have a couple questions, I am currently a unemployed NREMT-B. I've been working on all of the appropriate steps for being able to start my career, but the only thing thats currently holding me back is the DMV, as I am a type-1 insulin dependent Diabetic, there are quite a few loop-holes that I must jump through before being able to get my ambulance drivers cert.
Click to expand...

Have you considered looking for and applying for a clinical position such as a ER Tech? It would give you an opportunity to use your skills, learn, and gain experience while you are waiting for the DMV to correct their cranial-rectal inversion.
 
It must just be your state and also the fact you need a CDL? In Oregon you just need a regular drivers licence.
 
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