I just applied to CARE ambulance.

[Jim37F]

Just make sure to only take main streets during heavy traffic and avoid taking side streets as short cuts... or you'll get written up.

Really? Wow...thats just ridiculous. While we're highly encouraged to take the fastest, most direct route, as long as you get on scene in the 8 min ETA, they really dont carw what exact route you took.

The other day I actually got a little lost and went south to the wrong cross street (call was on one of those small residential streets that stop and starts, so you have to enter off the right cross street), but figured out the mistake, re mapped, drove a block east to the next main street to go north to the correct cross street to enter the right neighborhood lol and got on scene in the allotted time and no one said anything.

In our Torrance and Redondo Beach city's where we respond code 2 (like Care does with OCFA) were encouraged to take those small side streets if it gets us around traffic on the main street (especially Torrance where we still have an 8 min ETA requirement, vs Redondo Beach which has like a 15 min ETA lol).

Even not making the 8 min ETA isn't automatic grounds for getting a write up, especially for calls out of district where it's simply too far away (or your stuck at one of those annoying traffic lights in Torrance that takes 3 min to cycle and it takes 2 cycles to get through ha)...pretty much unless you get lost in your own district and don't make the scene in the 8 min time limit when you clearly should have, you won't get a write up....ive been full time since essentially last April and have received precisely zero write ups for failing to meet ETAs or getting lost or anything like that...

Also, while we have the same requirement as Care for your partner to get out and ground guide you every time you back up somewhere (as long as you dont have a patient in the back), Care has an actual physical button on the outside of their ambulances that the attendant HAS to press whenever the driver shifts into reverse, and if not, they'll get an automatic write up if they don't have a patient in the back..

 

[wtferick]

Really? Wow...thats just ridiculous. While we're highly encouraged to take the fastest, most direct route, as long as you get on scene in the 8 min ETA, they really dont carw what exact route you took.

The other day I actually got a little lost and went south to the wrong cross street (call was on one of those small residential streets that stop and starts, so you have to enter off the right cross street), but figured out the mistake, re mapped, drove a block east to the next main street to go north to the correct cross street to enter the right neighborhood lol and got on scene in the allotted time and no one said anything.

In our Torrance and Redondo Beach city's where we respond code 2 (like Care does with OCFA) were encouraged to take those small side streets if it gets us around traffic on the main street (especially Torrance where we still have an 8 min ETA requirement, vs Redondo Beach which has like a 15 min ETA lol).

Even not making the 8 min ETA isn't automatic grounds for getting a write up, especially for calls out of district where it's simply too far away (or your stuck at one of those annoying traffic lights in Torrance that takes 3 min to cycle and it takes 2 cycles to get through ha)...pretty much unless you get lost in your own district and don't make the scene in the 8 min time limit when you clearly should have, you won't get a write up....ive been full time since essentially last April and have received precisely zero write ups for failing to meet ETAs or getting lost or anything like that...

Also, while we have the same requirement as Care for your partner to get out and ground guide you every time you back up somewhere (as long as you dont have a patient in the back), Care has an actual physical button on the outside of their ambulances that the attendant HAS to press whenever the driver shifts into reverse, and if not, they'll get an automatic write up if they don't have a patient in the back..

Yeah. It's ridiculous over here. I would highly suggest McCormick and or even Emergency.

 

[RocketMedic]

Fire doesn't saline-lock their lines? Why? That's just silly!

 

[johnrsemt]

Also depends on which CARE Ambulance; I worked at one based in Indianapolis, but there is one on East Coast, and at least one in CA.

 

[GMCmedic]

Also depends on which CARE Ambulance; I worked at one based in Indianapolis, but there is one on East Coast, and at least one in CA.

There is one in Terre Haute also

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[Jim37F]

I've seen one in San Diego as well

 

[VentMonkey]

There was also a CARE Ambulance in the Lake Isabella (CA) area that was eventually taken over by Liberty Ambulance in Kern County, CA. They were the ones with the really nice looking 4x4 units as this was their primary coverage/ response area.

Fire doesn't saline-lock their lines? Why? That's just silly!

When I was there, admittedly some time ago, this was very much the practice. There are, and have been paramedics here who still won't put a lock at the end of their routine medical/ trauma patients. We actually have a protocol re: saline locks and when to/ not to place them. I put 'em on just about every call (most get nothing more than a lock) as this was drilled into my head by my not so subtle wife when I started paramedic school. Is it silly? Yes, it's a very simple gesture, but some folks never embraced change.

 

[Jim37F]

Hmm...I've almost never seen Fire start an IV that wasn't locked off with a saline lock or hooked up to a line, unless you're talking about something else completely different?

 

[VentMonkey]

Hmm...I've almost never seen Fire start an IV that wasn't locked off with a saline lock or hooked up to a line, unless you're talking about something else completely different?

An IV line with no lock. Started before the patient is to be moved. With the NS bag propped on their lap.

This was common when I worked their areas. It was also not uncommon for said IV line to be yanked as the patient was carried from their position found to the gurney, and for "mongo" to not understand why they should have either waited until the patient was on the gurney in the unit, or have locked off the IV to start with, but whadda I know?...

 

[gonefishing]

An IV line with no lock. Started before the patient is to be moved. With the NS bag propped on their lap.

This was common when I worked their areas. It was also not uncommon for said IV line to be yanked as the patient was carried from their position found to the gurney, and for "mongol" to not understand why they should have either waited until the patient was on the gurney in the unit, or have locked off the IV to start with, but whadda I know?...

Mongo only pawn in game of life

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[Cowboy]

Can anyone tell me about their hiring process and training after being hired? I have tried to research but unfortunately can't find much. Any advice or information you have will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Yeah don't work for CARE!

 

[Cowboy]

Is this for real real or play play?

Yes, they want you to follow a designated route

 

[Cowboy]

Look, CARE is a place to go to get your initial experience in the filed. Most use it as a stepping stone into Fire service and others move on to Paramedic school. CARE has done a lot of shady business within Orange and LA county to get contracts. Get in and get out is the best practice. They don't work with you on school schedules, and so if you are trying to do both good luck. The test and training are easy. Just show up early and do what you're told. They do a lot of transfers. Once you've been there for over a year you can apply to one of the 911 cars where you will have the opportunity to be in house with Anaheim or LACO fire. Even running with fire you will still be just a gurney jockey and holding the walls! Bill who I am sure is still there has done many shady things to include if you are not liked and you leave he has black balled folks from getting other jobs. Good dudes and girls who are just trying to get away from CARE. There is no best advise other than just show up get your experience and move on. It is not a healthy place for long term.

 

[VentMonkey]

Look, CARE is a place to go to get your initial experience in the filed. Most use it as a stepping stone into Fire service and others move on to Paramedic school. CARE has done a lot of shady business within Orange and LA county to get contracts. Get in and get out is the best practice. They don't work with you on school schedules, and so if you are trying to do both good luck. The test and training are easy. Just show up early and do what you're told. They do a lot of transfers. Once you've been there for over a year you can apply to one of the 911 cars where you will have the opportunity to be in house with Anaheim or LACO fire. Even running with fire you will still be just a gurney jockey and holding the walls! Bill who I am sure is still there has done many shady things to include if you are not liked and you leave he has black balled folks from getting other jobs. Good dudes and girls who are just trying to get away from CARE. There is no best advise other than just show up get your experience and move on. It is not a healthy place for long term.

Bitter much? Look, I agree with the run of the mill complaints, but there are certainly way worse places in, and around LA and OC you can wind up than CARE; even there, you can turn water into wine with a good head on your shoulders, and ambition and self-motivation.

All in all OP, the same old adage remains true- if you can, move out of either county north one county over or east a couple of counties over. Or better yet, move out of California altogether if you're looking to make EMS a career-long goal. If you're not able to, or don't plan on doing EMS for very long, CARE will work fine.

There's a gal that worked there when I did who's now in her EM residency in my county. It all just really depends on what your goals are. You, or I could make any place work for us, but it's all about one's own perceptions, not others opinions. Don't be completely swayed by random internet folk.

 

[BryanR]

Bitter much? Look, I agree with the run of the mill complaints, but there are certainly way worse places in, and around LA and OC you can wind up than CARE; even there, you can turn water into wine with a good head on your shoulders, and ambition and self-motivation.

All in all OP, the same old adage remains true- if you can, move out of either county north one county over or east a couple of counties over. Or better yet, move out of California altogether if you're looking to make EMS a career-long goal. If you're not able to, or don't plan on doing EMS for very long, CARE will work fine.

There's a gal that worked there when I did who's now in her EM residency in my county. It all just really depends on what your goals are. You, or I could make any place work for us, but it's all about one's own perceptions, not others opinions. Don't be completely swayed by random internet folk.

Well put. I work at Care and (compared to my old company) it's awesome. As long as you have the right attitude, Care will be a great place to work. There are a wide variety of places and shifts that you can try.
Don't be dissuaded by some of these guys.
Also, I've been treated super well in the time I've been here, so I don't know what some of these other posters are doing wrong XD

 

[Cowboy]

Bitter much? Look, I agree with the run of the mill complaints, but there are certainly way worse places in, and around LA and OC you can wind up than CARE; even there, you can turn water into wine with a good head on your shoulders, and ambition and self-motivation.

All in all OP, the same old adage remains true- if you can, move out of either county north one county over or east a couple of counties over. Or better yet, move out of California altogether if you're looking to make EMS a career-long goal. If you're not able to, or don't plan on doing EMS for very long, CARE will work fine.

There's a gal that worked there when I did who's now in her EM residency in my county. It all just really depends on what your goals are. You, or I could make any place work for us, but it's all about one's own perceptions, not others opinions. Don't be completely swayed by random internet folk.

Whoa hold on, I admit the post comes off as bitter but believe me I am not. I never even worked as a CARE employee, but I did work with them a lot on other projects while I was with another provider. I got to know many of the crews as well as management. I did go through the hiring process and passed and was set to start but I decided it wasn't worth it and turned down the offer. The point here is CARE has done a lot of things that have been shady and investigated. As i said its a great place to get your initial experience. I do not believe I said anything inappropriate or untrue. I got my start in Orange County as a Basic but since have moved on to bigger and way better things. All the companies in the OC have their problems, but in reality if you're looking to move on in your career you need to move out of OC, unless you are picked up by fire. If you had an amazing experience with them then that's great, good on ya, but that still doesn't mean that it was great for everyone.

 

[Cowboy]

Well put. I work at Care and (compared to my old company) it's awesome. As long as you have the right attitude, Care will be a great place to work. There are a wide variety of places and shifts that you can try.
Don't be dissuaded by some of these guys.
Also, I've been treated super well in the time I've been here, so I don't know what some of these other posters are doing wrong XD

Well that's good for you mate. I am glad you have a good experience there. I know a lot of folks who love working there and I know many who don't. They do a lot of things right for their employees, as well as the fleet as a whole, but I didn't say anything that was a lie. They do make it near impossible to work with school schedules, management there has black balled others, and they have done things to improve their chances of getting contracts. I like most of the management staff there and I know they have looked out for their employees. I just wont come on here and say its the best thing since sliced bread. I stand behind what I have said, get in get your experience and move on unless you are one of those people who want to be a Basic for 20 years then yes it is a great place to work.

 

[Cowboy]

Yeah. It's ridiculous over here. I would highly suggest McCormick and or even Emergency.

Absolutely agree. Emergency isn't a bad choice. They have down sized but it is still a good place to get into.

 

[VentMonkey]

If you had an amazing experience with them then that's great, good on ya, but that still doesn't mean that it was great for everyone.

Meh, it was hardly remarkable. They had clean equipment, a wash-thru for their units, and the pay that reflected their equipment, main station, and nifty wash-thru. All I know about them now is they're the "powerhouse" of their respective regions.

As far as management, and seedy deals- no clue. I've never been a "behind the scenes" management kind of person. I'm more into field work. The management and trainers that were there for my very brief stint were pretty much all of the people I knew and/ or remembered from my AMR days pre-CARE "powerhouse". I have no clue who is in charge now.

The part-time status was indeed set, and if IIRC, the biggest reason I quit once my clinicals started. In these areas you truly are seen as "the ambulance". I still remember the EOA switchover from all of these areas and fire being kind enough to call you by your name: "Hey you, AMR/ CARE/ Emergency/ Schaefer/ McCormick!". To which they most certainly got in return: "Hey what? FireMAN."

The companies are what they are, and will always do whatever they need to do in order to draw in these contracts. This most certainly includes catering to their customers (mainly the fire departments) needs.

 

[Cowboy]

Meh, it was hardly remarkable. They had clean equipment, a wash-thru for their units, and the pay that reflected their equipment, main station, and nifty wash-thru. All I know about them now is they're the "powerhouse" of their respective regions.

As far as management, and seedy deals- no clue. I've never been a "behind the scenes" management kind of person. I'm more into field work. The management and trainers that were there for my very brief stint were pretty much all of the people I knew and/ or remembered from my AMR days pre-CARE "powerhouse". I have no clue who is in charge now.

The part-time status was indeed set, and if IIRC, the biggest reason I quit once my clinicals started. In these areas you truly are seen as "the ambulance". I still remember the EOA switchover from all of these areas and fire being kind enough to call you by your name: "Hey you, AMR/ CARE/ Emergency/ Schaefer/ McCormick!". To which they most certainly got in return: "Hey what? FireMAN."

The companies are what they are, and will always do whatever they need to do in order to draw in these contracts. This most certainly includes catering to their customers (mainly the fire departments) needs.

I can absolutely agree! The problems were mostly on the management side in the dark. The employees are great except for the ones that thought they were amazing and the best basic ever! lol. All the companies in OC have problems for sure. Emergency used to be the CARE back in the day and we see what that turned into. Still a good company to get experience tho. The best part of these companies is running with fire! Those are some of the tightest friendships ive made. Now some of them are coming to me to help them get into flight. anyways sorry to have come off like I was just trying to talk ****.