Hello,
I took an EMT B course at my local community college last fall and was extremely excited and motivated throughout the course. I thought that getting my Basic cert, working for a little with a private company, then attending a Paramedic program would open a whole lot of doors and finally give me an exciting career and money to support myself with. It took a few months to find my first job with a private ambulance company, but woah, after only a few weeks of working I am having major second thoughts.
For one, 80% of my job consists of filling out paperwork. It is pretty obvious that the company cares more that the billing info and a narrative that supports the need for ambulance transfer is more important than V/S. Ok, if we were not responsible for PT's safety and well being, such a job may be worth about minimum wage. However, many of our PT's can crap out on us at any time and we Basics do see our fair share of emergencies and have to transport lights and sirens. I have to ask, is the responsibility worth the poor pay?
Hourly pay for paramedics is only a few dollars above basics and they do a lot more. It seems that the younger medics or those currently in a paramedic program hope to get in to a fire department, whereas the older ones that never got in to a department are planning to go to nursing school or are pursuing some other profession in healthcare instead. And they are starting from scratch! (there are no bridge programs in Illinois) Their experience equals to about nothing when it comes to getting in to a nursing program. I unfortunately did not do my research before becoming an EMT, and now feel like I wish I did.
The hiring rates for fire departments suck and unfortunately the only way that I know of to really make ok money as a paramedic, without starting your own ambulance company, is to get into a department. I do not think going to paramedic school would be a wise investment of my time and money anymore. It seems to be too big of a gamble when it comes to employment opportunities and a paycheck one can live off of. I used to think that a Paramedic license would be a pass to a job in any emergency room or fire department, but it just is not the case.
It is a bummer of a situation. I think I should look elsewhere for a paying career and perhaps volunteer as an EMT with some service for the hell of it.
I took an EMT B course at my local community college last fall and was extremely excited and motivated throughout the course. I thought that getting my Basic cert, working for a little with a private company, then attending a Paramedic program would open a whole lot of doors and finally give me an exciting career and money to support myself with. It took a few months to find my first job with a private ambulance company, but woah, after only a few weeks of working I am having major second thoughts.
For one, 80% of my job consists of filling out paperwork. It is pretty obvious that the company cares more that the billing info and a narrative that supports the need for ambulance transfer is more important than V/S. Ok, if we were not responsible for PT's safety and well being, such a job may be worth about minimum wage. However, many of our PT's can crap out on us at any time and we Basics do see our fair share of emergencies and have to transport lights and sirens. I have to ask, is the responsibility worth the poor pay?
Hourly pay for paramedics is only a few dollars above basics and they do a lot more. It seems that the younger medics or those currently in a paramedic program hope to get in to a fire department, whereas the older ones that never got in to a department are planning to go to nursing school or are pursuing some other profession in healthcare instead. And they are starting from scratch! (there are no bridge programs in Illinois) Their experience equals to about nothing when it comes to getting in to a nursing program. I unfortunately did not do my research before becoming an EMT, and now feel like I wish I did.
The hiring rates for fire departments suck and unfortunately the only way that I know of to really make ok money as a paramedic, without starting your own ambulance company, is to get into a department. I do not think going to paramedic school would be a wise investment of my time and money anymore. It seems to be too big of a gamble when it comes to employment opportunities and a paycheck one can live off of. I used to think that a Paramedic license would be a pass to a job in any emergency room or fire department, but it just is not the case.
It is a bummer of a situation. I think I should look elsewhere for a paying career and perhaps volunteer as an EMT with some service for the hell of it.
.
! It's not a casual thing because the rewards are not really in this life if you know what I mean. Therefore, as a career today I'd have to say it's not a rational choice; too much downside.