Is EMT a good idea for me?

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Ghostnineone

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I know EMT is a good career and great HCE for future jobs (like ER tech and PA, which I would like to do in the future) but I'm wondering if there are some things that would hold me back, namely my disabilities (I don't claim disability or anything)

I have scoliosis (can't remember the curve) I know a lot of EMT's have back issues so is already having a back issue just asking to screw it up even worse sooner?

My corrected eyesight is 20/30 in my left eye and 20/200 in my right, nearsighted with an astigmatism in both eyes, my eye Dr. Advises against night driving since everything looks like TV static in the dark (obviously this would make me a liability as a driver at night, I would think)

I have minor cerebral palsy that makes my arms and leg muscles tighter than normal.

I'm also like 5'7" 110lbs and never been much of an active or fit person, which i think would make me pretty useless at lifting and of course being an EMT would change that, probably.

I also don't have my permit or license mostly because driving scares me. I have an ID though. I'm gonna assume that will be the first thing I need to fix.

So...is it a good idea?
 
Even those with strong backs can throw them out, so whether it's the scoliosis or just not being strong to begin with, you might have issues.

If you can't drive at night you're going to have problems, period. If you don't have a license or can't get a license, you're going to have a hard time finding a job.

You already have several limiting factors so EMS may not be the right career for you.
 
^^ is good info..

But if you really want to be in EMS then do it. Don't let anything hold you down. I have a friend who has scoliosis that just finished medic school and now is doing fire. She wont let that hold her back because she has always wanted to be a medic.

Your vision being the biggest problem would stop you from being a pilot but not with ems. There are surgery's or just let your employer know you can't work night shifts because of school or something. Become a medic and let your emt drive for you :P...

Don't forget EMT and medic don't always have to work on the truck. You can work in a ER, clinics, Learjet's, etc

Good luck!
 
If you wanna be a PA, be a PA.

EMT will only hold you back. If your current situation permits you to attend school financially/time wise then do it.

Most people who get into EMS and want to be an RN/PA/MD one day never follow through. Once you have a career you tend to get comfortable. Don't let that happen to you.

Driving is going to be a major issue, as are back problems.
 
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The fact that you're legally blind in one eye, even with correction, is likely going to be a limiting factor, even more than anything else. Are you legally ABLE to get a driver's license?

I'm close to 20/100 in my right eye uncorrected, but corrected I'm 20/20-20/25. That's never been a problem.

My concern wouldn't just be driving, it would be everything at night.
Here's a link to a "Functional Description of an EMT" from my home state of PA:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...hKmjAw&usg=AFQjCNGdNiScGyN5QGEiDYhH98L5Jm0PJg

I don't want to discourage you, but you've got a good chunk of cards stacked against you.
 
Thanks you guys, it seems like the things I thought would be an issue are.

I suppose some background would help, I'm in school right now for IT with a gen studies major and depending on how some of my science classes go like A&P, microbio, pathophysiology etc I might switch to health science and continue with that to PA school hopefully.

I've never worked in healthcare before so I was thinking about volunteering in the ER just to see what it's like working in a hospital, and then maybe applying for an ER Tech job as it only needs a HS diploma here (but it says prior EMS or acute care preferred), I was thinking EMS but as everyone has seen in this thread, there are problems with that. I was also thinking Surg Tech as well but that requires a certificate at the least which my school offers. I'm not sure about that one though as idk how well I'll be able to handle being on my feet for something like an 8 hour surgery especially with having to do something like hold a retractor or a leg the entire time.

I'd like to do these things since I don't wanna go to PA school without ever having worked in the medical field and then finding out its too overwhelming or something, plus some PA schools require prior HCE from anywhere from 200-1000hrs and I think I saw one that wanted 10,000 hrs. Even if it's not required its preferred.

In regards to EMS working in ER's or clinics, are those ER techs and care attendants?

Edit: yes according to my eye doctor I can get a license. I live in upstate NY if it helps any.
 
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If PA is your end goal, I'd look around your school for a Health Careers Club (and perhaps an EMS group, too - some schools have those). Try to make some connections, and get some time shadowing a PA.
 
Will do, hopefully there are some PA's I can shadow around here...preferably an EMed PA...
 
Ghost, I won't sugarcoat it- your vision disqualifies you from many, many things, and one of those things is most EMS services. I wouldn't want a partner who had trouble seeing at night driving or performing patient care- it's not in anyone's best interest.

Clinical stuff might be better (and it pays a lot more).
 
I'll have to look into clinical things then...I hope my disabilities wouldn't disqualify me from that too...I don't really wanna lie about it...
 
Perhaps you could join a volunteer service and work day shifts, but not be responsible for driving? I've seen plenty of volley services where you're not required to drive.
 
I'm not sure if there are any...I think all the crews are two person crews, one para and then any of the other levels I think. I might get lucky if I get nothing but BLS calls because that would mean they'd be my PT.
 
You can always volunteer as an EMT. Most volly agencies will let you ride as a third, meaning you don't have to drive you just help out in the back. If your main concern is getting some hands on experienc in the field before PA school this might be an excellent way for you to do it. It will also give you a good solid idea of what the job entails and if you decide you can handle it you can move to a paid position. Whatever you decide to do please check back in and let us know how things go for you.
 
The biggest volly agency around here says this:

"Once you complete the requirements of the academy new members who are volunteering as a EMT or Driver will ride as a third crew member until they feel comfortable working as a second crew member."

But it also says this :/

"All potential members wishing to volunteer as an EMT or Driver must pass both reference and license checks."

So...I'm not sure...

I'm also worried about my back/if I'm even strong enough to lift, a different agency says must be able to lift 125lbs (the stretcher) and be able to put it in the ambulance. I have no idea if this means solo or not. But I've seen some agencies that say you have to carry 125lbs by yourself a certain height/distance.

Last time I had to hold anything that heavy someone handed a friend to me that weighed like 130+ and I had to hand them back because I almost dropped them...so...that seems like it would be an issue...
 
Like other have said, cards deem stacked against you for EMS, but if your end goal is PA, in my opinion doing EMS would be a waste for you. While doing EMS would be a great experience to have, getting through all the challenges you face may just not be worth it for you.

My recommendations is that if you still feel like you would really like the experience is to either go talk to the local volly agency and speak to them. See what y'all can work around as far as lifting/driving etc. Just be upfront and honest with them about what you want to do and what your goals are and see if they can work with you.

Another idea is to finish school and start work as a PA and then once you have established yourself and are comfortable working as a PA, then go to a local EMS agency and ask them if you could ride as a third person to get experience in EMS to help expand your knowledge.
 
Most PA schools require prior HCE...I was thinking ER tech but they prefer EMS experience, or surg tech but I'm not sure how I'd be able to hold up to some of the longer surgeries, plus I'd have to do a certificate program for that, even though right now I have a dual major, but might eventually switch to health sciences if I do well in my science classes and like working in the healthcare field.
 
Dumb

I have never felt such a need to do EMT in my area, I have passed the practicals, yet I have a block where passing the writen goes, so frustrating for me, you set a piece of paper in front of me and i go black, doe's anybody else have this, and how how you overcome it.
 
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