Getting hired at 19

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BillyMan

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Hey guys I need some more career help here.

Basically this summer I am going to be taking my EMT-B class right about the time I turn 19. A while back Rid said that most companies won't hire indiviuals under something like 21 or 22 years of age due to maturity and insurance reasons and some of you disagreed. Right now, I am doing everything I can to make my Resume look killer by the time I start looking for my first job.

For my Senior project I need 24 hours of documented community service. Most people didn't take their's seriously and did odd things here or there or did stuff like concession stands for our school. I just contacted my local Free Medical Clinic and so some time next month I should be doing some sort of volunteer work for them. I figure this is a great opportunity to gain some sort of healthcare experience. It is only open 1 day a week however so I have more than enough time to volunteer somewhere else. Would a ton of time in volunteer positions really make that much of a difference? Is there anything else I could/should be doing to make me more competitive? I am sure that I could get a job as-is once I get my Cert. But I also don't want to go very far to find a position being as I will still have 1/2 year on my AA.

Thanks guys;)
 
The other option you may want to explore is city or government owned/funded EMS services (city, municipal). Many are self insured and can allow lower age(s), where private may not be able to. Again, it is all dependent upon the service requirements.

I think you are smart getting your "ducks" in a row. Now, another word of advice... have fun!

Remember EMS will be there for you, no matter how long it takes.. enjoy life!

R/r 911
 
I disagree with the "not hiring due to age". It's in the works that I will be getting a job at a local EMS provider as an EMT-B in January, and I am only 19.

Also, I know of people whom are 18, and on another local EMS. On the fire department, our insurance (much like EMS) does have strict stipulations to "ages covered". Some policies cover 21+, some are 18+.
 
Some company's will take it into consideration.
i had 2 applications denied due to "lack of experience" and when i called back they said they were sorry that they want members who have more experience. i am 19 and i just completed my emt-b class about 3 months ago.... but i was in a youth squad for 2 years with riding privileges.

i think you just have to find the right people to take you under their wing! i found a great co and they have been so helpfull to me by teaching me things i didn't learn in class and most importantly giving me the opportunity to learn by letting me use my skills and not just pushing me in the back to do all the probie work!
 
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I have worked for private services in the past that will hire you if you are under 21, you just can't drive the trucks. If you were under 21, they made sure to pair you up with someone that was able to drive.
 
all of the paying emergency squads near here wait till your 21, and you have to be ALS by 3 years after being hired. But the biggest privet company near by you can be hired as long as your out of high school (and thats flexible)
but our counties squad Volunteer will take ya at 16. If you have a Volunteer squad nearby, you might try working with them for awhile, it will give you more experience, and you will get to meet people that are with the paid squads while at the hospital, at special training, and the like, it will help build a reputation if nothing else.
 
in ma, you can be certified on your 18th birthday if you could schedule it that way. and in ma to work for most, if not all of the privates, all you need is a pulse and a ticket, while this may not hold true for the rest of the country, thats pretty much the jist(or is it gist?) of it here.
 
Sometimes it's a matter of choices. If a company has a choice between someone who is under 21, is going to cost them more to insure for driving and has less experience (ie. will need more time to come up to speed than someone more experienced in hands on pt. care) who do they choose?

Many times its simple economics and budgetary constraints rather than a judgement on the abilities of someone of a certain age. I think it depends on the number of applicants in your area and what their experience level is compared to yours.
 
Well thanks for all of the comments on the whole age thing guys. I really appreciate it. And just so you know, I live in Washington. BossyCow, do you know of a link for Washington regulations on any of this stuff? I do believe that I once heard someone on this site say Washington has some of the highest standards for EMS in the country, but then again that could have just been some other Washingtonian running his mouth.:rolleyes:

Either way, what do you guys think that I can/should do in order to look better on the resume? Is the volunteer work really going to make much of a difference?
 
It again depends upon the service. Some services do not honor or respect volunteer time, and I have known some that it is an automatic career killer in the business, so be careful and find out the general opinion in your area.

The age is NOT so much upon financial restraints just on the system, rather insurance companies have studied the risks of those less than 21 years of age. Again, not all are the same, but in mass numbers they have to presume. This is not a random action, but one that has been scientifically studied as well.

I might suggest possibly of working within a hospital area. You will gain much more medical experience and exposure. Also, you will meet field medics and become familiar with the system, until you are able to meet the local requirements.

I wish you the best of luck..

R/r 911
 
BillyMan said:
Well thanks for all of the comments on the whole age thing guys. I really appreciate it. And just so you know, I live in Washington. BossyCow, do you know of a link for Washington regulations on any of this stuff? I do believe that I once heard someone on this site say Washington has some of the highest standards for EMS in the country, but then again that could have just been some other Washingtonian running his mouth.:rolleyes:

Either way, what do you guys think that I can/should do in order to look better on the resume? Is the volunteer work really going to make much of a difference?
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Check with your local EMS Regional Trauma Council. I know the legal age of 18 is all that is required for certification in WA. Getting hired is an individual standard set by the company/agency of hire. A large agency with many insured drivers may not see a rate change worth worrying about a driver under 21. Different fire departments have different protocols depending partially on who their insurance carrier is.

I know one local private company has been so desperate for EMT's that they'll basically hire anyone with a pulse and valid cert. Okay, the valid cert just has to be completed prior to beginning work, but the pulse I think is mandatory.

As for the volunteer hours, it shows some time with hands on patient experience. Definitely a plus, but again, it depends on the job market for EMT's in your area.
 
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BossyCow said:
I know one local private company has been so desperate for EMT's that they'll basically hire anyone with a pulse and valid cert. Okay, the valid cert just has to be completed prior to beginning work, but the pulse I think is mandatory.
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Haha, what part of Washington are you in? I might have to look them up when I hit the market.
 
What I'm doing is looking into working as an ER-Tech or getting on as an 'Inventory Control Tech' with a local ambulance service to get my foot in the door until I turn 21...
 
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