Job Employment In Central Florida

americanredLFC

americanredLFC

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Hi Guys and Gals,

I am new here to EMT Life, and thought i'd post my question. Currently, I am enrolled to start the Summer Term at Seminole State College for the EMT program. I plan on doing EMT, Paramedic, then Fire. What is the job placement like if you get all 3? I want to know if i'm going to be screwed after i graduate and can't get a job. Has anyone gone through Seminole State's program and has feedback they can share?

Thanks!
 
I'm assuming you want to be a fire medic?
Going the route you plan to is probably the riskiest and costliest way to do it.
Most local fire departments will hire mainly EMT/FF, then pay to put them through medic school after a few years.
Therefore, most people will do EMT and fire, then work for one of the private companies (American Ambulance or Rural/Metro) for experience (and to pay the bills) until they get picked up by a fire department.

The route you proposed would have you working part-time for 2 years and cost you about $12k only to maybe eventually discover that it was all a waste for one reason or another. And you're much more likely to succeed in medic school if you have a few years of EMT experience. That last statement is based on the attrition rates of those in my medic class at Valencia.
 
americanredLFC said:
Hi Guys and Gals,

I am new here to EMT Life, and thought i'd post my question. Currently, I am enrolled to start the Summer Term at Seminole State College for the EMT program. I plan on doing EMT, Paramedic, then Fire. What is the job placement like if you get all 3? I want to know if i'm going to be screwed after i graduate and can't get a job. Has anyone gone through Seminole State's program and has feedback they can share?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think the best route is for you to go to EMT and Fire Standards first and gain the experience as an EMT for a while and apply at fire depts at the same time. When I hear of people jumping from EMT school to medic school before even getting their feet wet I really have an issue with that. Being a good medic requires you to be a great EMT first. You have to crawl before you walk. It works the same way with the transition to medic. Anyhow as far as getting hired, you really will have your work cut out for you with competition. For every open position you are looking at a few hundred applicants. But if you keep a positive attitude and think like you will be number 1 then chances are it will pay off. It just might take some time. I was one of 15 hired at my dept out of 450 applicants. Just get that experience and keep going through hiring processes until it works out.
 
Wow...Thank you both for sharing your insight. I had no idea! After reading over both your comments, it makes much more sense now, and i will plan to take EMT and then Fire Standards. As far as job placement as well, i do appreciate the honesty and appreciate you being upfront. Very excited for what lies ahead! :)
 
I on the other hand will disagree. If you want to be a paramedic, go be a paramedic. Complete the 2 year program at Seminole State of which I am very familiar with. If you really want to be on the cutting edge, work your way into the new Community Health Paramedic program which they are just rolling out. We will see our first graduates of that program 3 years from now, but it IS the future.

As for becoming a Firemedic, I say become an EMT and roll right into the paramedic program. Please bear in mind this is a HUGE positional shift on my part from how I used to think 10-15 years ago. My reasons are sound and evidence based. You will have plenty of time to get EMT practice while going through the program and then the subsequent ride along hours and clinicals as a paramedic student. Because you are in a College based program and one I am familiar with is one of the main reasons I say this...if you were in one of the local medic mills I would say do not waste your time.

Here is the other perspective regarding the order of obtaining certs/education and finances.

If you become an EMT and then go to Fire standards...your income is going to be low after you have your EMT and are attending Standards. Once you have both Standards and EMT...you are now 1 out of 1000 looking for a job. The odds are NOT in your favor.

If you become an EMT then roll right into Paramedic, you have now significantly increased your earning potential while getting standards. Also many of the fire academies have waiting lists...guess what bumps you on preference for admission (Paramedic card).

Also, there are some departments which will hire you since you are a paramedic with the provision you complete standards within certain time. This is NOT common and you will not see this in the larger departments, but it does happen.

Once you have standards and paramedic...you have now swung the odds in your favor significantly. You are way ahead of the competition and if you do not get hired right away, you are still earning better wages and gaining experience.

Keep in mind when going to school...EVERYONE is watching you. That is not paranoia, it is a fact. Guest instructors, preceptors, proctors...they will be across the table from you one day interviewing you. Stay sharp, stay smart, stay focused.
 
akflightmedic said:
Also, there are some departments which will hire you since you are a paramedic with the provision you complete standards within certain time. This is NOT common and you will not see this in the larger departments, but it does happen.
Click to expand...

Orange County Fire does it. But I've only known them to hire experienced medics when they need to staff some rescues in a hurry.
 
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