EMT in the works

C

cauchiad

Forum Ride Along
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Hey guys. I'm currently in school right now, working towards becoming an EMT. After a little experience, I'd like to continue on to become a paramedic. As experienced (or new) EMTs and paramedics, do you guys have any advice or words of wisdom for me? My instructor is fantastic and I am learning a lot, but in-class instruction still lacks that on the job knowledge and wisdom that experience yields.

So please share! Your thoughts, ideas, words of advice and stories are greatly appreciated :)
 
Where are you located and taking classes? Being an EMT on the east coast/west coast is like black and white
 
Oh, sorry, I forgot to include that the first time around. I'm located/taking classes in California
 
cauchiad said:
Oh, sorry, I forgot to include that the first time around. I'm located in California
Click to expand...



I'm working in Southern California right now and I would say that you need to be able to motivate yourself to pass your class/registry and also accept that only about 3 in every 10 companies around here will offer you a chance to get on 911 (and thats often after putting in a few months of work doing IFT). You can PM me if you need to know more.
 
djarmpit said:
Where are you located and taking classes? Being an EMT on the east coast/west coast is like black and white
Click to expand...

How do you figure?

I work in Colorado and Massachusetts, besides some scope of practice differences specific to Colorado I do not experience many differences.
 
Pass your class and pass your NREMT. California and especially SoCal have tons of EMTs who are all out looking for jobs.

Depending where in Cali you are located can change how long it can take to get hired or to get on a 911 ambulance.

Some companies do skills testing which is pretty much your interview. So if you impress them with your assessments then you can get hired easier.

Most companies don't look at what program or college you went to to get your cert. But EMS/Fire is a pretty tight community so knowing someone will help a lot.

I've asked the management at my company what EMT students should have done to make them at the top of the list to get hired with the hopes of incorporating them into the EMT program I teach skills for. The only advice I was given is to make sure the students can do a strong assessment.

If you have any other questions (like the other poster said) feel free to send me a private message.
 
Be modest. It will help in the long run.
 
Study, study, study and pass the test. The truth is that school to a certain extend keeps you in a bubble, once you get out on the field it will be a humbling experience. Once that hits use it to your advantage and keep learning. Treat the pts with compassion and respect and it will be a rewarding experience, not all pts are gonna be cool but still provide great care and do your job.
 
thanks for the tips guys. I'm loving the class, and am studying like crazy. A passion for what you're doing is the best motivation huh? :)
 
cauchiad said:
thanks for the tips guys. I'm loving the class, and am studying like crazy. A passion for what you're doing is the best motivation huh? :)
Click to expand...

Indeed
 
Do ride-along time BEFORE you get your certificate. A lot of volunteer 911 services will let you ride along if you're a student as long as you have CPR. I waited until I had my cert in hand and I wish I had started before- it makes the transition from class to street much easier. Study hard!
 
CombatBoots said:
Do ride-along time BEFORE you get your certificate. A lot of volunteer 911 services will let you ride along if you're a student as long as you have CPR. I waited until I had my cert in hand and I wish I had started before- it makes the transition from class to street much easier. Study hard!
Click to expand...

There aren't too many volunteer services in Cali. And some agencies won't let you do ride outs unless you are doing it with the school. Most school (if not all) have a required number of hours and the students can only do that many ride alongs.
 
my friends think im nuts

Hi, Im going to join our volunteer ambulance corps up here. If i do not pass the EMT b test in two years Im history.
It sounds like Im older then u people and i was a crummy student. Unlike u Im not concerned about a career Im concerned about embarrassing myself. Can anyone tell me if the written part of the n.y.s. EMT test is multiple choice or do i need to memorize every darn thing i have been reading? Im 58 and just the thought of taking exams makes my knees knock together.
Also is the national EMT exam anything like the nys EMT b test.
 
cauchiad said:
thanks for the tips guys. I'm loving the class, and am studying like crazy. A passion for what you're doing is the best motivation huh? :)
Click to expand...

that's the right approach! ...man I tell you, when I went to school last year for one semester, a day on campus from 8.30 to at least 5.30, quizzes every time the class meets, the constant pressure of having 80% in order to continue, get permission to take the midterm and then the finals sure was tuff here and there but my urge to take the EMR, disaster relief technician to the next level (and yes, the support of my wife) sure helped to make it happen!

Good luck on this rollercoaster, yet funfilled journey!
- Markus
 
Listen to your preceptors. If you have a know-it-all attitude, drop it, or you'll get flushed like a turd. (Which from your post you don't seem to have, but it's good advice)

Some patients will make you want to throw them out of the back, get thick skin now.

Study groups are also a good idea, it helps you retain what you've learned a lot more as well as helping others in your class.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top