dispatcher to paramedic

[ert1721]

I'm looking into taking EMT classes, working as an EMT and then taking paramedic classes with the hopes of being a paramedic. Someone told me that often people looking to become paramedics work as medical dispatchers while they are taking classes. Can anyone support this, or have any thoughts on this? Thanks

 

[medic_texas]

That's similar to how I started out. While doing basic rotations in the ER, I was offered a job (that hospital owns/operates the EMS service for the city and county). Six months into my ER tech job, my friend who was in basic class and was a dispatcher told me about a job, so I interviewed and was hired. I dispatched and had all the truck time I could take while completing my medic. Once I got my medic, I made the transition into the field.

I think it was a great career move but it can also be a bad career move. Sometimes EMS can be pretty territorial and they don't accept newbies well. I was pretty lucky, the girl they hired a month or two before me was a complete idiot so I flew under the radar pretty well.

 

[firecoins]

I know people who worked as engineers, business executives, lawyers and other careers while becoming a paramedic. Other people went to school full time.

I am not familiar with your financial situation, medic program or study habits to say what job you should have if you indeed should have a job at all during the schooling period.

 

[harkj]

i work as a 911 dispatcher now and going to school to be an EMT it helps because the hours are not bad and the pay is very good where im from.

 

[firecoins]

well than its a good idea.

 

[LucidResq]

The pay is usually really good and you'll get some experience working with the system and have ample opportunities to make connections; unfortunately you won't get the hands-on experience you would doing patient care. My good friend was a dispatcher and full time student and appreciated that the down time on the job often allowed him time to study and do homework.

 

[TransportJockey]

The only thing that holds up some people that get into dispatching while going to school, at my old service, is that if they couldn't find someone to replace you in dispatch your transfer would not be approved.
You had to train your replacement before you could transfer into the field.

 

[medicdan]

Ideally all dispatchers are EMTs or medics, or at least EMD certified. Other then that, as long as they answer the radio/phone, It doesnt really matter...

The pay is usually really good and you'll get some experience working with the system and have ample opportunities to make connections; unfortunately you won't get the hands-on experience you would doing patient care. My good friend was a dispatcher and full time student and appreciated that the down time on the job often allowed him time to study and do homework.

Not always. One could make a huge fool of themself in dispatch, and convince road crews that they are an idiot...