Hello, I'm new to this site and the EMS field. I don't really know where to start!

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Halligan07

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I apologize if there's a better place to post, I'm new to this site.

Anyways, I just earned my NREMT-B this past week and I'm trying to figure out the next step. I'm currently a security guard and a POC firefighter (we don't run EMS calls). I currently live close to Cleveland, OH and am looking to move out West. I'm looking at Colorado, Washington, Wyoming, or Oregon. I would like to earn my red card for wildland fire, but I also want to work EMS. I've heard my instructor briefly mention something about wilderness EMTs, and I'm pretty interested in that. Basically, I just want to see the possibilities that are out there. I do want to stay away from private ambulance companies though, I've heard a few horror stories from friends that work in private.

Well, thank you for any advice or tips!
 
What's a poc firefighter?
 
Paid on-call. It's basically half way between volunteer and part-time firefighter. I also drive about an hour to my fire department, but the experience is worth it!
 
I wouldn't stay away from private companies. They aren't all bad just like not all government ran businesses are good.
 
From my understanding of the kind of work they do, private ambulance transport really doesn't appeal to me. I've never worked for one, so I guess I really can't say. Experience is experience, right?
 
Halligan07 said:
From my understanding of the kind of work they do, private ambulance transport really doesn't appeal to me. I've never worked for one, so I guess I really can't say. Experience is experience, right?
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If by that you mean you want to run 911 calls (nothing wrong with that), you can certainly do that with a private service. I work for a private company in an ambulance based out of a fire station that only runs 911. Such private contractor type arrangements are very common.
 
Our fire dept. is like that actually, we have separate stations for FIRE/EMS and our EMS is private. But I'm trying to move out of state and find a full-time career job in either fire, ems, or both. I'm really passionate about working fire, but after two years and a newly earned NREMT cert, I would like to find something other than part-time/on-call work. I really just want to see what else is out there.

But yes, I am interested in running 911 calls. I also wouldn't mind working in a hospital as an EMT-Tech. But from my understanding, most hospitals only hire paramedics. I do plan on going back for my paramedic, but I would like to see what's out there first. I really just want to find the career that's right for me.
 
There are plenty of hospitals here in Colorado that hire EMTs as techs. However you'll need several years experience to be considered, or have in, or both.

Finding fulltime EMS positions isn't absurdly difficult. Fulltime fire is going to be tough wherever you go. EMS experience will help but isn't necessarily a must have.
 
Yeah, I know it's going to be somewhat difficult to find a job without any EMS experience. But awesome, I guess I'll see what I can find. Thank you!
 
Here is a link to a wilderness EMT course: http://www.nols.edu/portal/wmi/courses/wemt/

My suggestion to make yourself more marketable would be to take a couple of NIMS courses online, particularly IS-100.HCb and IS-700.a. With a huge focus being shifted to disaster traing and preparedness, many places are requiring these courses for their employees. If you already have it, it's a huge plus.

Also, I would take the NIHS stroke scale class on the American Stroke Assosiation website. A lot of hospitals are really starting to focus on strokes and acute/longterm treatment strategies. I worked in an ER for three years. I was the only tech that had it. The thicker your portfolio the better.
 
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