emts and tattoos

geez im getting two different perspectives here, yes and no, yes i want to get them if its okay if i can cover them up while at work, and no if it may hinder my employment even if i cover them up so i wont get it..... i guess i will talk with my teacher when i actually start school, that seems to be the answer to all my questions on all my post cuz seems like every where is different, but thanks for all the information
 
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So this is my thought.

I have tattoos, a large one on my back and a full sleeve on my leg, it has never been a problem for me on any job, granted I have never worked an actual EMS job, but I have had quite a few different jobs and this is the way I went about it with my tattoos:

If you have them and they are covered during your interviews, how are they going to know you have them? There's no way it would affect a company's decision to hire you.

After you get hired, ask about the company tattoo policy....problem solved.
 
I know that our school has decided to make any student with exposed tattoo's cover them during their field and clinical rotations. Even as instructors we have to now wear long sleeve shirts if we have exposed tats.

Most of the local companies will not allow exposed tats. I only know of 1 that has no policy against tats.

I'd suggest if you get them, get them where they aren't seen until you're established somewhere. As was stated, consider your long term goals as well, and whether they'll be accepted. I have many, all hidden from sight excpept for a small bit near my elbows. I want badly to get my forearms done, but right now, i'm gonna keep them hidden.
 
I can't think of any EMS company around here that allows exposed tattoos, in fact I think every public service requires their personnel to cover any ink. The local PD won't hire based on the design of individual tattoos, and I know the fire guys always wear long sleeves or arm shivers
 
personally i dont like tatoo's as it is.. but in a professional service such as ems, i think it gives off the wrong impression and doesnt look professional.

now if they can be covered up easily like if it were on the back or shoulder then its ok, but any visible tat's in my book are a no no
 
If they are covered up, how would your employer know?
 
I have yet to ever be asked in an interview if I have tattoos or not. If you dont present it they arent going to go digging for it.
 
well i already have one by my elbow on the forearm side of my arm so sleeve or no sleeve if they have a strict no tat showing policy i will have to cover my arm anyway so i guess i dont see what it would matter not looking to get anything offensive or gang related so i dont see what the prob would bee if im willing to cover it while on duty, also i have a few friends that are respected members of the community that have them on there lower arms, one in particular is a successfull realistate salesman with both arms with sleeves, but they cover them up when at work, so thanks for all the input and info guys but i think ill take my chances and hope for the best
 
My company is okay with exposed tattoos, subject to approval.

If they're not approved, you have to wear long-sleeve Under Armour with short sleeved shirts or company issused long sleeve shirts.
 
And another one chooses what they want rather than what the patients might want. Oh well it's not as if patients come first.:rolleyes:
 
medic417 said:
And another one chooses what they want rather than what the patients might want. Oh well it's not as if patients come first.:rolleyes:
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As the older generation is dying off, I'm finding that tattoos are becoming more accepted than they were even 5 years ago. I honestly find the generalization that tattoos mean the person is not a professional or is a bad person to be offensive. This is one of the few areas that I happen to disagree with you I think.
 
medic417 said:
And another one chooses what they want rather than what the patients might want. Oh well it's not as if patients come first.:rolleyes:
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I can't agree with this, because it is an issue that has no bearing on the provider's competence and the care they provide. What if the patient is made uncomfortable due to a provider's race or gender? Should we accomodate that? Where do we draw the line?

Tatoos have no bearing on your ability. Give me the guy with full sleeves and a neck tat who can articulate pharmacodynamics over the wholesome guy/girl who's fresh out of TEEX any day.
 
Well why we disagree I guess my biggest frustration is the fact that the OP obviously already had made up their mind that no matter what anyone else said they were getting the tat. So why the heck did they even ask? A quick search would have shown them the varied opinions.
 
medic417 said:
Well why we disagree I guess my biggest frustration is the fact that the OP obviously already had made up their mind that no matter what anyone else said they were getting the tat. So why the heck did they even ask? A quick search would have shown them the varied opinions.
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You do have a point there. Honestly, half the threads asking 'should I do this or not?' seem like the poster has their mind made up before they click 'submit'
 
I have a full sleeve and whenever I need to look business professional I put on a long sleeve shirt and not :censored::censored::censored::censored::censored:. If thats the company's policy then follow it, where someone said that it doesn't adversely affect your patient care it doesn't improve it either.
 
jtpaintball70 said:
You do have a point there. Honestly, half the threads asking 'should I do this or not?' seem like the poster has their mind made up before they click 'submit'
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Of course they do, most people are looking for a cheerleading section for a marginal choice. If they were truly interested in what to do they would research a choice somewhere besides a message board where a bunch of no life EMS geeks hang out:wacko:.
 
Joel.Sorah said:
I have a full sleeve and whenever I need to look business professional I put on a long sleeve shirt and not :censored::censored::censored::censored::censored:. If thats the company's policy then follow it, where someone said that it doesn't adversely affect your patient care it doesn't improve it either.
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it could affect pt care for the better if they got something funny tattooed on there that helps them remember dosage calcs and stuff to that affect lmao
 
medic417 said:
Some idiots get grim reapers and wonder why patients or patients families get upset.
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Well hold on there, I have a tat of a grim reaper wearing a Navy dixie cup hat and I am sure I am no idiot. I actually got my tattoos long before they were popular. Then again my tats are on my upper arms so I can easily conceal them.
 
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