i have one dwi. am i wasting my time?

I don’t think you are necessarily “wasting” your time, however, I think you have added needless hurdles. The first thing that comes to mind is will an ambulance company’s insurance insure you? As far as joining an ambulance service, this will be the deal breaker for you. However, there are other jobs requiring an EMT certification, so in that sense, it would not be a waste of time.

Any obstacle can be overcome if you work to overcome it. But, you will never overcome them if you listen to sanctimonious individuals advising you based on their prejudices instead of facts. The facts lay in the circumstances and a potential employer’s willingness to offer forgiveness, giving you a shot.

Good luck!

Thank you for the advice I appreciate it.
 
Your best bet is to contact the licensing EMS agency in your area and asking them questions. Be straight up and tell them the facts. They will be able to provide you with what you need to know. The other important thing; was your DUI a misdemeanor of Felony?
 
Your best bet is to contact the licensing EMS agency in your area and asking them questions. Be straight up and tell them the facts. They will be able to provide you with what you need to know. The other important thing; was your DUI a misdemeanor of Felony?

It doesn't really matter if the state licensing agency will approve him, I don't think any company or agency will hire him. With a fresh DUI you have to carry SR-22 insurance. I don't think they are gonna foot that bill. Plus he is on a "supervised probation". They don't put first timer DUIs on probation unless it was a good one. Whenever I applied somewhere they wanted a 10yr driving record.
 
It doesn't really matter if the state licensing agency will approve him, I don't think any company or agency will hire him. With a fresh DUI you have to carry SR-22 insurance. I don't think they are gonna foot that bill. Plus he is on a "supervised probation". They don't put first timer DUIs on probation unless it was a good one. Whenever I applied somewhere they wanted a 10yr driving record.

I'm thinking you're right. Thanks for the honesty everybody.
 
Do I need to make an appearance in this thread?

Welcome to the jungle I mean thread. We really need to make an area for driving/legal issues as at least every week we get questions about problems people have in their past.
 
I've noticed also that a lot of applications read "if the job requires driving" Wouldn't any position involve driving? Seems to me that it would.
 
Welcome to the jungle I mean thread. We really need to make an area for driving/legal issues as at least every week we get questions about problems people have in their past.

I understand your point. Beating a dead horse. I just wanted to hear from people who work directly in the field. Again thank you everyone for your input
 
I've noticed also that a lot of applications read "if the job requires driving" Wouldn't any position involve driving? Seems to me that it would.

A few services will allow people to only do patient care. Usually they will only do this for people that have been working for them prior to having issues come up. Also you have the tech positions at hospitals but they often screen out anyone with any criminal history including DUI.
 
Ok, Wait.... are you already certified ? Is your DUI a FELONY or MISDEMEANOR ? If your already certified, give up on ems for now. You can work in the hospitals and find ceu's to keep up your cert. If your not certified, and your DUI is a felony... not gonna work. If it is a misdemeanor, you should be fine. Everything I read in NREMT is based upon a felony conviction. With that said, what are we dealing with ??? Is it a felony, or a misdemeanor ...
 
I wonder if one's personal debt and/or credit score has any bearing on EMS employment. Don't want to derail the thread.
 
Credit and debt does affect hiring, but if you can explain it (my divorce really plowed me) its not a huge deal.
 
Everything I read in NREMT is based upon a felony conviction. With that said, what are we dealing with ??? Is it a felony, or a misdemeanor ...
Except the NREMT is only a testing agency, not a licensing agency. Their restrictions only apply to being able to take their exam.


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Credit and debt does affect hiring, but if you can explain it (my divorce really plowed me) its not a huge deal.

My Achilles heel is student loan debt. Bought into the higher education false promises. Wasn't willing to go 100K+ for a certification in Physical Therapy which looks to have its survival tied to Medicare funding.

No DWI. Good driving record. Good health. Good shape. 30 years old (don't know if that's an asset or liability). Ton of Student Debt from undergrad (pre-Med courses).
 
Theres always ER tech

Arrest and conviction history both felony and misdemeanor will be reviewed by every hospital and at roughly a 200/1 applicant to open position ratio I would guess OP's chances are slim to none. What would make you think there is a better chance at a tech spot,just because there is no driving involved. Just like any other position in this field why should anyone take a chance on someone who has proven to show poor judgement when there are tons of applicants without so much as a parking ticket on their record.
 
Ok, Wait.... are you already certified ? Is your DUI a FELONY or MISDEMEANOR ? If your already certified, give up on ems for now. You can work in the hospitals and find ceu's to keep up your cert. If your not certified, and your DUI is a felony... not gonna work. If it is a misdemeanor, you should be fine. Everything I read in NREMT is based upon a felony conviction. With that said, what are we dealing with ??? Is it a felony, or a misdemeanor ...

Felony or misdemeanor ? I think what seems to be missed everytime this subject comes up is the fact that the job market is super tight and only getting tighter. Schools are churning out new people every day and to be competitive applicants have to show they have the ability to exercise good judgement. Why should someone who has shown complete disregard for the lives of others even be considered for a position that involves patient care. Im sure the OP and all the others with shakey backrounds are swell folks but what about the people who play by the rules and show themselves to be outstanding in all areas of their lives.

Working in hospitals or in the field its the same game when it comes to arrests and convictions. Most employers will look at the circumstances surrounding the arrest and decide if an applicant is eligible for hire. Time is the factor and when it comes to a serious offense like DUI we are talking years and thats for any EMT related position. Are there exceptions of course but these days they are few and far between.
 
Ok, Wait.... are you already certified ? Is your DUI a FELONY or MISDEMEANOR ? If your already certified, give up on ems for now. You can work in the hospitals and find ceu's to keep up your cert. If your not certified, and your DUI is a felony... not gonna work. If it is a misdemeanor, you should be fine. Everything I read in NREMT is based upon a felony conviction. With that said, what are we dealing with ??? Is it a felony, or a misdemeanor ...

Already certified. Misdemeanor. Missouri.
 
Getting into the military with a DWI isn't happening until we go into Iran or Syria.

Student loan debt shouldn't matter much.
 
I wonder if one's personal debt and/or credit score has any bearing on EMS employment. Don't want to derail the thread.

Poor credit and debt related issues show a lack of good judgement and like it or not can paint a negative picture for a perspective employer. Not everyone with poor credit and or debt issues is unemployable but once again it comes down to the high number of applicants in relation to available positions. Why should an employer take a chance on someone with a trashed financial history when there are tons of applicants that have acted responsibly when it comes to their finances. People get into trouble,things like divorce are explainable and are taken into account. Also just having a poor credit score is different than having a history of late pays and or judgements.
 
Poor credit and debt related issues show a lack of good judgement and like it or not can paint a negative picture for a perspective employer. Not everyone with poor credit and or debt issues is unemployable but once again it comes down to the high number of applicants in relation to available positions. Why should an employer take a chance on someone with a trashed financial history when there are tons of applicants that have acted responsibly when it comes to their finances. People get into trouble,things like divorce are explainable and are taken into account. Also just having a poor credit score is different than having a history of late pays and or judgements.

Good point, but at the time of receiving the loans very few would disagree that it was not a responsible move due to economy. It was pre-Morgage , pre-Healthbill, pre Financial crisis and in a career which has been consistently rated in the top tier due to Baby-boom demographics. A whole Lot has changed since than, and it's actually a move of Responsibility to decide to not go further as forecasting is clearer now that it is not a good financial decision to get further into debt for certification in that field. It's not like there was a lack of planning, but not all factors are in one's control and certainly things are looking to change. It would be irresponsible to follow that course now. The responsible thing to do would be to focus on applying the knowledge I did learn into something that I could apply. Thus thinking EMS.

I know the pay is rough and there are budget cuts. The Skill; however, is priceless - especially with a Nation that is 6 trill $$ in debt to Communist China looking at a possible War with Iran.
 
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