Hours of an Ems

[911sweetie]

I was just wondering do all EMT's work 24 hours or are there some companies that have like 12 hours or less for a shift. If they do have shifts for 12 hours or less are the few and far between because everyone wants them?

 

[DesertMedic66]

My company does 12 and 24 hour shifts. Some other company's do 8 hours and some do more then 24 hours

 

[911sweetie]

Well that is a relief. I would LOVE to get certified, but I didn't know about what the medics worked, the hours has really affected my decision. I'm having a hard time leaving my daughter for that long, so an 8 hour shift would be great. Thank you for letting my know.

 

[Anjel]

here they are all mostly 12 hours. no less than that. And everyone competes for the 24hrs.

So I guess it just depends where you are.

If you work anymore than 12 scheduled hours the company has to provide a station for you I believe with at least a shower.

companies here dont have too many stations.

 

[DesertMedic66]

With my company if you work 12 hour shifts you are normally street posted. If you are 24 you are at a station. All our stations are required to have is just a sleeping area and a place to prepare food.

 

[TransportJockey]

here they are all mostly 12 hours. no less than that. And everyone competes for the 24hrs.

So I guess it just depends where you are.

If you work anymore than 12 scheduled hours the company has to provide a station for you I believe with at least a shower.

companies here dont have too many stations.

In NM it was longer than sixteen. But from what I've seen as well, most services are twelve hour shifts or more.


EDIT: My new job will be either 3 13s a week.

 

[DrParasite]

Well that is a relief. I would LOVE to get certified, but I didn't know about what the medics worked, the hours has really affected my decision. I'm having a hard time leaving my daughter for that long, so an 8 hour shift would be great. Thank you for letting my know.

Think of it this way: if you work 24s, yes, you will have to be away from your daughter for a day, but if you are FT, you will get to spend 5 days a week with her. now compare that to 8s (where you work 5 days a week), or 12s (where you work 3-4 days a week), and you see that only working 2 days a week has it's perks.

most people would take working 12 hour shifts becuase it gives them 3-4 days away form work every week, vs 8s which means only 2 days off every week.

the downside to 24s is if you are busy, you get no rest time. my FT jobs has units that can do 18 calls in a 12 hour shift. too rough to do 24s. now if you only do 6 calls in 24 hours, and have sleeping quarters, than jump on them, they will pay off in the end.

 

[CAPilot55]

I was just hired, and from what the HR rep said, is we will work 12's. So it is like a 3/4 schedule. One week you work 3 12's, then the next 4.

 

[HotelCo]

My company offers 8,10,12,13,14 and 24 hour shifts.

 

[911sweetie]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I guess it just depends on what they offer here. I'm glad to know I have options.

 

[DesertMedic66]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I guess it just depends on what they offer here. I'm glad to know I have options.

Call around and see what places offer what shifts. Then find out which shift fits your lifestyle the best and go from there.

 

[911sweetie]

firefite would you know about volunteering at the local fire dept. I'm wondering if I volunteer would they pay for my school? Do you know how many hours you would have to volunteer? I really want to go for ems but the money situation is killing me.

 

[DesertMedic66]

firefite would you know about volunteering at the local fire dept. I'm wondering if I volunteer would they pay for my school? Do you know how many hours you would have to volunteer? I really want to go for ems but the money situation is killing me.

That changes widely depending on department. Volunteering in my town works like this: you only get paid if you go on any fire or any call over 3 hours. Have to have 40 training hours a month at a minimum. Shifts are only 24, 48, or 72 hours all served in a row. So your working for 1, 2, or 3 full days. They will sponsor you thru the firefighter academy and if they see you show a real interest in medical then they will pay for medic school. If things get really bad you can get paged into work. Again it changes widely from department to department.

 

[911sweetie]

Thanks for letting me know. I am going to call the fire dept this week to find out. Everyone here is such a big help, Thank you!

 

[DesertMedic66]

Yeah calling is the best. Alot of stations in this area don't have volunteer firefighters. So it might be a hit and miss in your area as well.