Family Matters

[Lucy212]

I'm a single parent and am very much aware of possible shifts including overnights and weekends when I start work as an EMT. My question/concern is if it's possible to let my station know that overnight shifts are nearly impossible? Will it be frowned upon because I have childcare issues that I need to address?

I am amenable to most days, eves and weekends. Any advice, please?

~ L
:unsure:

 

[TransportJockey]

Depends what service you work for. If all they offer is 24s or 48s, then no you cannot tell them that. If they offer 12's you can request a day shift. But really it's all dependant on the service you apply to work for

 

[EMS49393]

What he said. In addition, and not to discourage you, but EMT jobs are pretty tough to come by in many areas. If it's between another candidate with no scheduling issues and one with a scheduling issue, you'll likely be passed over.

 

[rescue99]

I'm a single parent and am very much aware of possible shifts including overnights and weekends when I start work as an EMT. My question/concern is if it's possible to let my station know that overnight shifts are nearly impossible? Will it be frowned upon because I have childcare issues that I need to address?

I am amenable to most days, eves and weekends. Any advice, please?

~ L
:unsure:

Simply apply as a specific type of shift. It's up to the employer. Sometimes being up front on applications does pay off. Good luck!

 

[abckidsmom]

And just to let you know, all the parents I know who work 12 hour shifts fairly often juggle the late call daycare overtime problem. I couldn't believe that some daycares charge $5/minute for late pickups!

Sounds crazy, but true. There are systems that you can work in, but from the way it sounds here, you might have trouble finding work around NYC.

 

[LonghornMedic]

I'm a single parent and am very much aware of possible shifts including overnights and weekends when I start work as an EMT. My question/concern is if it's possible to let my station know that overnight shifts are nearly impossible? Will it be frowned upon because I have childcare issues that I need to address?

I am amenable to most days, eves and weekends. Any advice, please?

~ L
:unsure:

As a new EMT just starting out, chances are very high that they will want you to work nights and weekends. When I first started out, I worked 1030-2230 Thur-Sun. That was as close to nights as I ever want to get. Now I work a 24 shift. I would attempt to find someone reliable to watch your kids, like family or someone you trust. Do it now, before you have an interview, so if you have to work those shifts it isn't a problem. I would be reluctant to tell an employer whose business is 24/7/365 that you can't work all shifts.

 

[Lucy212]

And just to let you know, all the parents I know who work 12 hour shifts fairly often juggle the late call daycare overtime problem. I couldn't believe that some daycares charge $5/minute for late pickups!

Sounds crazy, but true. There are systems that you can work in, but from the way it sounds here, you might have trouble finding work around NYC.

My son's afterschool program charges $6.00 for every 10 minutes we're late. It's expensive, but understandable I guess...

I believe I will be having some trouble finding a job in NYC, but hey - I'm still gonna try my best. There's plenty of agencies here in the five boroughs.

Thanks!

~ Lucy

 

[Lucy212]

As a new EMT just starting out, chances are very high that they will want you to work nights and weekends. When I first started out, I worked 1030-2230 Thur-Sun. That was as close to nights as I ever want to get. Now I work a 24 shift. I would attempt to find someone reliable to watch your kids, like family or someone you trust. Do it now, before you have an interview, so if you have to work those shifts it isn't a problem. I would be reluctant to tell an employer whose business is 24/7/365 that you can't work all shifts.

Thanks for the advice. Part of the reason I can't work ALL shifts is because I don't have someone readily available to hold my son, which is my main concern in the first place. Although I have a sitter whose incredibly willing to help, overnights are just a tad difficult for me. Not impossible, but improbable.

Nonetheless, I appreciate your reply.

~ Lucy

P.S. - I try not to be reluctant in anything, confidence works for me. I see no harm in being candid with a potential employer. Whether it's to my benefit or not is up to them, I guess?

 

[Lucy212]

Simply apply as a specific type of shift. It's up to the employer. Sometimes being up front on applications does pay off. Good luck!

I was not aware that I can apply for a specific type of shift. That's like music to my ears. Thanks (!). I was truly under the impression that I had to be flexible at ALL times, willing to bend over backwards if necessary. I will definite be up front about my minor dilemma, thanks for the good luck wish.

~ Lucy

 

[Lucy212]

What he said. In addition, and not to discourage you, but EMT jobs are pretty tough to come by in many areas. If it's between another candidate with no scheduling issues and one with a scheduling issue, you'll likely be passed over.

I understand what you're saying, and truth be told I'm sure I'll be "passed over" a few times before I hopefully find an agency that is somewhat understanding. If they see that I truly want to work for them, or that I am trying my best to be flexible - even when they mandate me, I'm hoping all will work out.

Nothing is impossible, it's just an obstacle.

~ Lucy

 

[Lucy212]

Depends what service you work for. If all they offer is 24s or 48s, then no you cannot tell them that. If they offer 12's you can request a day shift. But really it's all dependant on the service you apply to work for

If I found an agency that only offered 24s or 48s, I would probably not apply to them in the first place, but instead try and find another with more flexibility. If I found one that offered 12s - that'd be the one I'd submit to, and hope for the best.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.

~ Lucy

 

[medic417]

I was not aware that I can apply for a specific type of shift. That's like music to my ears. Thanks (!). I was truly under the impression that I had to be flexible at ALL times, willing to bend over backwards if necessary. I will definite be up front about my minor dilemma, thanks for the good luck wish.

~ Lucy

Keep in mind that is only if they offer various shifts. In my area you work at minimum a 24 hour shift. Most places in my area require a 48 hour shift. So it means you will need to research the companies in your area, then be honest when you apply.

 

[46Young]

In NYC, the privates and hospitals alike can run 8's, 12's, and 16's. In NY it's illegal to work in excess of 16 hours. My old hospital, North Shore LIJ, had all sorts of start times for their interfacility division, such as 0500-1300, 1200-2000, 0600-0600, 0900-0100, 1900-0700, 0000-0800 to name a few. The city tours are either 12 hour T1's or T2's, or 8 hour T1/2/3's. You can double up for a 16. FDNY EMS does 8 hour shifts only. T1 is the overnight, subject to night diff, and starts around 0000 hrs, give or take an hour or two. T2 is the daytime tour, typically starting around 0600-1000. T3 is the evening shift, starting from 1100-1600 or so. This is also subject to night diff.

An employer may accomidate you initially, if you're lucky. However, if you rub someone the wrong way, or if they want you out for some reason, all they have to do is change your schedule to conflict with your personal life. Keep that in the back of your head.

At least at NS-LIJ, you could work three or four day weeks - maybe two 12's and a 16, a 16 and three 8's, or two 12's and two 8's. You may only need to pay for child care three or four days a week, instead of five. regardless, if you're a single parent, you'll need family help to do it on an EMT salary. Child care expenses will quickly wipe you out. A good rule of thumb is to not have anything planned, or anywhere to be for at least three hours past the end of your shift. Late jobs are more the rule than the exception in some places, and can easily run in excess of an hour past your off time.

I used to work the Sat T1 (Fri night-Sat A.M.) 0000-0800 IFT, 46Y Sun T1 (Sat night) 2000-0800, same thing for Mon night, and the Fri T1 IFT (Thu night), 2200-0600. My wife and I used child care on Mon, Tues, and Fri, since I couldn't make it home in time to watch our child, and I also needed rest after working the busy overnight.

 

[Outbac1]

You are probably going to have to find a sitter for some odd hours and overnights. Every employer will have a variety of shifts. You might get lucky and get on with a company that has a day truck no one else wants to work. Some people like days only and others don't. Try finding a sitter to start at 05:30am when you have to be at work for 06:00am. And as someone said what about overtime. Getting off shift late is a fairly commom occurance. You want to make sure you have that covered to.

Good luck.

 

[Lucy212]

46 Young,

Thank you for the detailed reply. You shared information with me that I was not aware of. I appreciate it incredibly, it's very helpful.

~ Lucy

 

[Lucy212]

You are probably going to have to find a sitter for some odd hours and overnights. Every employer will have a variety of shifts. You might get lucky and get on with a company that has a day truck no one else wants to work. Some people like days only and others don't. Try finding a sitter to start at 05:30am when you have to be at work for 06:00am. And as someone said what about overtime. Getting off shift late is a fairly commom occurance. You want to make sure you have that covered to.

Good luck.

I do have a sitter that's willing to work overnights, just not 4 or 5 overnights a week. Hopefully it will all magically work out for me. I guess I'm ignorantly blissful, and minorly hopeful at this point.

~ Lucy