Highest paying paramedic jobs in LA/OC?

Thindian

Thindian

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Hey guys,

I'm a paramedic with a couple years of experience in 911/rescue EMS from out-of-state. I have a bachelor's degree from a distinguished university, and have been working as a Paramedic/FTO for the busiest district in the second busiest county in my state.

I'm moving back to LA pretty soon and I'm looking for a job out there. 911 would be a plus, but honestly, I need money right now and I'd be willing to work for whoever paid me the most. Not the best attitude coming from a 911 guy, I know, but it is what it is.

Anyone have any suggestions? I hear that the 911 jobs like McCormick/Gerber don't pay very much.
 
The only ALS 911 spots outside of fire departments are gonna be through AMR. I think they run ALS up in Lancaster. That being said there are dozens of ambulance companies looking for IFT medics. I believe the pay ranges from $15-20 starting out. As for McCormick they hire medics but its not too many. They maybe get to run 3-5 ALS calls per year when the beach towns FD medics are tied up. The rest of the time they work at the BLS level. This is what I have gathered from speaking to McCormick employees while holding the wall at...you guessed it the one and only St. Francis
 
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I know you want LA/OC advice. BuT as I'm sure you will hear a lot, I highly recommended you just make the 15-60 min commute to Riverside or Rancho AMR. You will work under some of the "better" protocols in Cali as a 911 medic.

Starting pay is 15/HR there with tons of OT available. Also lots of others little perks when compared to smaller companies in LA/OC. I believe medic pay at McCormick is like 9.xx/HR from what I herd.
 
I second the above advice. You can also look into AMR in Ventura county. They start around $45000-50000.
 
The only paramedic jobs in OC at this time is with the fire departments or Mercy Air.
 
energystar said:
The only ALS 911 spots outside of fire departments are gonna be through AMR. I think they run ALS up in Lancaster. That being said there are dozens of ambulance companies looking for IFT medics. I believe the pay ranges from $15-20 starting out. As for McCormick they hire medics but its not too many. They maybe get to run 3-5 ALS calls per year when the beach towns FD medics are tied up. The rest of the time they work at the BLS level. This is what I have gathered from speaking to McCormick employees while holding the wall at...you guessed it the one and only St. Francis
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I'm not too keen on McCormick. I don't mind doing IFTs if the pay is good, at least for right now. Which IFT companies would you recommend?
 
TRSpeed said:
I know you want LA/OC advice. BuT as I'm sure you will hear a lot, I highly recommended you just make the 15-60 min commute to Riverside or Rancho AMR. You will work under some of the "better" protocols in Cali as a 911 medic.

Starting pay is 15/HR there with tons of OT available. Also lots of others little perks when compared to smaller companies in LA/OC. I believe medic pay at McCormick is like 9.xx/HR from what I herd.
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I'm considering AMR with the commute actually. What little perks are you referring to exactly?
 
AVOID AMR LA COUNTY IN LANCASTER/PALMDALE, SANTA CLARITA, AND IRWINDALE. You are basically a bls medic. Fire still runs the show. You will do all the ift's amd pay is around 13-14 if i remember right on a 24. Best bet is riverside amr. There first in. Also consider Hall ambulance in Kern Co. Pm for any info about either company
 
Once you apply, it's still a 8-12 month wait for a call back.
 
LA County AMR has a very limited amount of medics. They tend to hire/promote in-house for medic positions first before they start looking for outside applicants. Considering there are only a handful of medic spots and there are already a handful of medics that are working as EMTs for the company...getting hired as an outside applicant may be hard.

Long story short:
1. Be prepared for a scope of practice downgrade
2. Avoid LA County if you want a halfway decent experience
 
Yes AMR has a waiting list about that long. BUT DO NOT go to LA county AMR. Come over here to Riverside or Rancho! ALL ALS first-in 911 medic with over a thousand employees combined and Union.

We are actually always hiring and are low on like 10 medic spots for this shift bid coming up.
 
What are the shifts for Riverside, and San Bern. AMR?

What are the protocols allowed there that are not in LA or OC?

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you still FD's B**** in the Riverside and San Bern divisions as well?

Just going off of what I have read on line, supervisors complaining to city council members with stuff such as "Our Medics are good enough to clean your toilets at the fire stations, but not good enough to sit at the same table for thanksgiving dinner..."
 
Thindian said:
Wow, that's sort of concerning. Are you only referring to AMR?
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Ya. We finished medic school 14 months ago. Many from my class applied shortly after that and are starting their new hire orientation soon.
 
while not knowing the area, it seems like it's hard to get a job in LA/OC, even if you are a medic. I hear with everyone being a medic, there are paramedics working at McDonalds waiting for the call for the ambulance job.

since you are moving back, why not apply to everywhere, see who offers you the best money, and then asking for advice on companies based on the response you get from a bunch of anonomys people on the internet?

at least then you will have the job offer, instead of limiting your applicant pool and hoping one of the "good" companies want you for an interview.
 
That was attributed to Murrieta FD. Not all of them are like that. Here in Hemet, the FD is still BLS, and even the Cal Fire medics in the unincorporated areas have, for the most part a solid working relationship. Hemet or Desert Cities is where I would go.

Fish said:
What are the shifts for Riverside, and San Bern. AMR?

What are the protocols allowed there that are not in LA or OC?

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you still FD's B**** in the Riverside and San Bern divisions as well?

Just going off of what I have read on line, supervisors complaining to city council members with stuff such as "Our Medics are good enough to clean your toilets at the fire stations, but not good enough to sit at the same table for thanksgiving dinner..."
Click to expand...
 
jgmedic said:
That was attributed to Murrieta FD. Not all of them are like that. Here in Hemet, the FD is still BLS, and even the Cal Fire medics in the unincorporated areas have, for the most part a solid working relationship. Hemet or Desert Cities is where I would go.
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Murrieta FD and AMR have been having a lot of issues. Murrieta FD wants AMR out but they are the only ones who want them out (at least they are the only ones being vocal about it).

Hemet or Desert Cities is where I would also recommend. Great working relationship with city fire and Cal Fire.
 
firefite said:
Murrieta FD and AMR have been having a lot of issues. Murrieta FD wants AMR out but they are the only ones who want them out (at least they are the only ones being vocal about it).

Hemet or Desert Cities is where I would also recommend. Great working relationship with city fire and Cal Fire.
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WHy do they want them out? Is it something against the Company or the Medics?

THis being the same FD that claims Medics on Engines save lives man!
 
Fish said:
WHy do they want them out? Is it something against the Company or the Medics?

THis being the same FD that claims Medics on Engines save lives man!
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Haven't been keeping up since its not in my area (however it does effect me being I am in the same county and AMR has the county contract).
 
Unfortunately, my move back to Los Angeles is mostly family related, so I didn't have the opportunity to fish for a job beforehand. I figured with my bachelor's degree in emergency medicine, and my experience in busy 911 districts, it wouldn't be too hard to find a job. I guess I was wrong!
 
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