Good advice. here goes...
- What attracted you to a career in EMS? I would appreciate all perspectives, but very interested in people who did not take the traditional path. I have a heavy finance background and trying to understand the feasibility of a career switch.
I've wanted to go into healthcare since high school. First I wanted to be a pharmacist, then a doctor, and then a nurse (after volunteering at a nurse's station for the summer). I was gung-ho for becoming an RN, but as I applied to get into college, the more unfeasible it looked. And, the more I looked at emergency medicine, the more attractive it became. The show "Paramedics" and my experience of having my wife be a patient of EMS is what tipped the balance. I took a significant pay cut compared to nursing, and my parents were not pleased, but I love my job. I have a direct impact on people's lives every day.
- Will a finance background prevent people from taking me seriously? I am considering EMS because I am at a point where I want to make a tangible impact through my work on a daily basis. Currently, my work products are buried within hundreds of pages of financial statements and boring technical jargon. As such, it is difficult to feel like I am positively contributing to society.
You wouldn't believe the backgrounds people come from. In my EMT-B class there was a 40ish male who made 60k a year being an accountant, and he gave it all up.
When you get involved with this field, it will be tempting to think that your career in finance was wasted. This isn't a fun feeling, and it's not true. You made a positive impact on society by your work, but if you feel that now is the time to make a more direct impact, then it's time. Don't wake up miserable when the alarm goes off in the morning.
- What "hard questions" should I be asking myself in deciding if this career is the right fit for me (e.g., can I handle working 24hr shifts and half eaten meals? Can I commit to a career that requires constant study and improvement?). My gut tells me that I can do well, but any and all insights are much appreciated.
Can you handle the irregular hours? Will these hours affect any relationships with people close to you? Can you keep a clear head under intense pressure? Can you put everything you have into getting it right the first time?
- What is the job market like these days? Can I realistically get hired in the Bay Area with no experience (after passing NREMT and getting ambulance driver license)? Based on what I've read in this forum and my visits to some of the ambulance company websites, seems like the job market is pretty thin.
Not sure about the Bay Area, but generally the job market is indeed thin. But careers in healthcare are skyrocketing in terms of demand, and a lot of the guys that get hired for EMS tend to be... not so good, especially the basics.
Work per diem, show a visible passion for your job, strive to impress (while being modest, of course!), and keep an eye out for any openings. You will be fine.
- What is the typical interview process like? Is it a formal oral board or a one-on-one w/ individuals from the Company?
Depends. I was in a one-on-one situation. Let me give you some advice:
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Wear a suit. These interviewers see guys wearing all sorts of casual crap to these interviews, and the guys in the suits have the highest chance of being hired.
- Have your thoughts organized. What inspired you? What do you love about this job? I think your story of switching from a completely different background, and probably making more money, can make for an inspiring narrative for an interview.
- Does it matter where you receive training? Are some schools better than others?
Some schools are better than others, but I'm not sure how picky companies are.
- What do you wish you had known when starting out on this career path? What would you do differently if you were to do it all over?
I wish I had known how awesome it is. The feeling of waking up every morning and going to my dream job is making my wife a little jealous.
Despite the irregular hours, high-stress, and unfinished coffees, it's all worth it.
