Is ANYONE actually HIRING AEMTs?

[Altered Mental Status]

So I passed National Reg for the new AEMT level this February. I originally had plans to move to New Orleans but getting reciprocity from AEMT to EMT-B while I wait for them to adopt the new Registry standards is seemingly impossible and getting licensed to work in the parish at ALL unless I'm already a resident is just a mess. Can't be a resident until I find work and can't get work in Orleans Parish unless I'm a resident.

Alabama is only hiring basics. In spite of the State adoption of the EMT, AEMT and EMP levels of licensure, Ambulance companies are still only posting jobs for EMT-B, EMT-I and Paramedic.

It seems the companies can NOT hire me as an EMT-B and force me to ignore my Protocols as an AEMT. I still have a duty to act as an AEMT in this state since I am certified and licensed as such.

Companies don't want to pay any more than $12/hour here. They DON'T want to hire an AEMT when there are still so many EMT-Is who can read 12-leads and whatever else so I'm stuck. It seems the rest of my graduating AEMT class who FAILED National Registry are more employable than I.

Are there any states who are actually EMPLOYING AEMTs? Or did I just paint myself into a corner from which I can't escape without the $20K it's going to cost to finish my degree as a Paramedic?

 

[shfd739]

So I passed National Reg for the new AEMT level this February. I originally had plans to move to New Orleans but getting reciprocity from AEMT to EMT-B while I wait for them to adopt the new Registry standards is seemingly impossible and getting licensed to work in the parish at ALL unless I'm already a resident is just a mess. Can't be a resident until I find work and can't get work in Orleans Parish unless I'm a resident.

Alabama is only hiring basics. In spite of the State adoption of the EMT, AEMT and EMP levels of licensure, Ambulance companies are still only posting jobs for EMT-B, EMT-I and Paramedic.

It seems the companies can NOT hire me as an EMT-B and force me to ignore my Protocols as an AEMT. I still have a duty to act as an AEMT in this state since I am certified and licensed as such.

Companies don't want to pay any more than $12/hour here. They DON'T want to hire an AEMT when there are still so many EMT-Is who can read 12-leads and whatever else so I'm stuck. It seems the rest of my graduating AEMT class who FAILED National Registry are more employable than I.

Are there any states who are actually EMPLOYING AEMTs? Or did I just paint myself into a corner from which I can't escape without the $20K it's going to cost to finish my degree as a Paramedic?

You can work at the EMTB level in Alabama as AEMT. If you are only provided up to BLS level equipment thats what you do. I did the same as a paramedic there on a BLS only fire dept. $12/hr is about the going rate and isnt that bad for what you are. It wasnt that long ago that $12/hr for a paramedics around there was considered good.

What do you expect to gain with a degree in paramedicine? Im guessing you are at USA correct?

 

[emt11]

Try looking into applying as an EMT-I, depending on the difference between the scopes. Here in GA, theirs literally 5 more things an AEMT can do over an EMT-I.

 

[Altered Mental Status]

You can work at the EMTB level in Alabama as AEMT. If you are only provided up to BLS level equipment thats what you do. I did the same as a paramedic there on a BLS only fire dept. $12/hr is about the going rate and isnt that bad for what you are. It wasnt that long ago that $12/hr for a paramedics around there was considered good.

What do you expect to gain with a degree in paramedicine? Im guessing you are at USA correct?

Thank you, shfd for your reply to my very edgy post!

I want the associate's because I think I'd like to eventually take bridge programs all the way to P.A. Moreover, I WANT the extra A&P and whatever else that makes me a better caregiver.

That's positively terrible pay for a Medic considering minimum wage has been $10/hour for at least three years now. I didn't go into this for the money but I don't know how someone's supposed to raise a child on that when the rents are like $850/month here. Even working as a receptionist for a hospital pays that amount.

It's rough for everyone, I guess. I don't mean to have an attitude that stinks, my apologies if I came off that way, I'm just frustrated. It's been a long, hard year and I had to sacrifice a lot due to personal hardships to even get this far in my education and it's disheartening to come out on the other side only to be told by every ambulance company that no one's hiring or worse: not even get a call back and have a hard time getting ahold of anyone.

I was attending Bishop but won't be returning there for my bump up to Medic. The Program Director and Paramedic instructor was wonderful but he's left the school for other pursuits and the EMS department has been mashed into the Nursing department. I will have to attend Faulkner for the remaining three semesters when I am able. Right now, I need to work badly and it's looking more and more like I'm going to have to find something in retail while I wait for an opening at Newman's or AMR. That's very disheartening, as I'm sure you can empathize.

I'm not sure what else to do. I'm looking at local companies to see if anyone needs a staff EMT and I'm looking into short courses I can take like HAZWOPER to make myself more valuable. I'm trying to keep my head out of my *** and have a good attitude, I guess I just broke down a bit.

 

[Altered Mental Status]

Try looking into applying as an EMT-I, depending on the difference between the scopes. Here in GA, theirs literally 5 more things an AEMT can do over an EMT-I.

Hey there, EMT11. There's no reciprocity from AEMT to EMT-I85. AEMTs do not learn to read a 12-lead and they are no longer granting new EMT-I certifications. You can get a State license at that level if you are granfathered in and maintining.

I believe in a few years, EMT-Is will be given an opportunity to convert to AEMT but not the other way 'round.

I was told that Lifeguard can not hire me in an EMT-B position due to liability reasons. I have not been able to confirm this but I do recognize that I in Alabama, as a licensed AEMT, I have a duty to act as an AEMT if a patient requires those advanced interventions while I'm on duty and the equipment is available. The ambulance company can not usurp state protcols out of fear of tort and I can not refuse to act in accordance. I suspect therein lies the sticking point.

 

[Level1pedstech]

Your frustration is obvious and I think you like many others have stumbled upon the ugly truth and that is EMS is a very poor choice as a career if you ever expect to make a decent living. At this point I always have to say there are exceptions and you can if you are very lucky land a 20.00+ per hour gig but its not near the norm. Of course someone will pop in and make a claim that they work for a private and are making big change but what they usualy forget to mention is that they work all the time and rely heavily on overtime to make bank. Working like a dog is something many of us have done but when we look back it was not generally because we loved working. Unless you have the burning desire to jump into the highly competitive fire pool you are going to be held at a wage that in most parts of the country will allow you to collect public assistance to help you struggle thru.

You seem to have the desire to work on your education so why not just jump in and go for your RN? You may have no interest in nursing in which case never mind but if you do and for those following along consider this. Do what you have to and get thru nursing school even if it takes you a few years. It is possible to work full time to provide for your family and knock out nursing school I know many that have done it and while not easy its worth the fight. When your finished you will have a much better wage and plenty of free time to "play around" in pre hospital EMS. Most RN's work 36 hour weeks and can have schedules that offer up to a week off a stretch. Instead of baby stepping your way to medic and a mind numbing wage of 13.00 an hour (this is what I have seen in recent posts) you could build on your nursing degree and be in a position to demand wages that can easily be triple what even the higher paid medics are making.

There is no guarantee of landing a great nursing job right out of school but in my six years working in the ER I saw many nurses hired into the department without the one year of experience which is pretty much industry standard. The one thing they all had in commom was previous pre hospital EMS experience or education. Many of these nurses returned to or continued working in the field knowing they were doing what they loved but not having to worry about paying their bills. I hate to see anyone continue to try and educate themselves only to be treated like poop by private EMS providers. These companies are well aware that there are thousands behind you in line that are willing to work for chump change,be treated poorly then sent packing when they have overstayed their welcome.

 

[shfd739]

Thank you, shfd for your reply to my very edgy post!

I want the associate's because I think I'd like to eventually take bridge programs all the way to P.A. Moreover, I WANT the extra A&P and whatever else that makes me a better caregiver.

That's positively terrible pay for a Medic considering minimum wage has been $10/hour for at least three years now. I didn't go into this for the money but I don't know how someone's supposed to raise a child on that when the rents are like $850/month here. Even working as a receptionist for a hospital pays that amount.

It's rough for everyone, I guess. I don't mean to have an attitude that stinks, my apologies if I came off that way, I'm just frustrated. It's been a long, hard year and I had to sacrifice a lot due to personal hardships to even get this far in my education and it's disheartening to come out on the other side only to be told by every ambulance company that no one's hiring or worse: not even get a call back and have a hard time getting ahold of anyone.

I was attending Bishop but won't be returning there for my bump up to Medic. The Program Director and Paramedic instructor was wonderful but he's left the school for other pursuits and the EMS department has been mashed into the Nursing department. I will have to attend Faulkner for the remaining three semesters when I am able. Right now, I need to work badly and it's looking more and more like I'm going to have to find something in retail while I wait for an opening at Newman's or AMR. That's very disheartening, as I'm sure you can empathize.

I'm not sure what else to do. I'm looking at local companies to see if anyone needs a staff EMT and I'm looking into short courses I can take like HAZWOPER to make myself more valuable. I'm trying to keep my head out of my *** and have a good attitude, I guess I just broke down a bit.

Newman's?? Thats a name I havnt heard in forever. I swear every medic in Mobile worked there at some point.

If it were me Id go for retail and a steady check till something else comes up or you can get thru medic school; I did something similar while in medic school.

Keep your head up.

 

[Altered Mental Status]

Thanks guys. The plan is to get as much education as possible but I'm out of money and resources and can't finish right now.

I'll get myself sorted sooner or later.

 

[Altered Mental Status]

UPDATE:
I got myself hired! I'm working with Mobile County EMS. The pay is less than what the private companies are paying but the focus on Pt care versus The Bottom Line is worth it to me...particularly in my first year working: I want to develop all my new habits from a Pt care/doing things the RIGHT way, not the CHEAP way standpoint.

WOOO WOOO!