Mass. Reciprocity - Paramedic

[Medic One]

I am going to be moving to Martha's Vineyard for a six month gig (wife is a traveling ER Doc) and she is in process of taking a job there.
Anyone up on how easy it is to get Mass Reciprocity.

I am going to try and line up a part-time job there. From what I found on the Mass OEMS web page I can get an out of state paramedic work waiver based on Mass OEMS regulation "A/R 5-202" using form " OEMS 500-202". Anyone familiar with how that works?
I know I have to test during the waiver period but can I start working as soon as the waiver is approved?

I have contacted services on the island for employment information.

Are there any medics that have applied for Mass reciprocity?
How long is the process?
Is the testing based on National Registry?

I do have the state protocols to study from.

I am a National Reg Paramedic, CT Lic Paramedic, and CT Lic EMS-Instructor.

Michael "Medic One"
NREMT-P / EMS-Instructor

 

[bstone]

You will probably want to join this facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MA-OEMS-please-accept-the-NREMT/244821498862415

The MA OEMS does not accept the NREMT. Their fees are sky high, their forms are confusing, and their administration is difficult.

Good luck.

 

[Maine iac]

Everything that Bstone said. It took me probably close to 5 weeks for the entire process to unfold, although that was during the holiday period.

 

[Tigger]

I'll preface this by saying I'm not a medic, but I believe the form is the same regardless of level.

Since you're state certified somewhere, you will only have to take the written test following the approval of your application from OEMS. At the time you pass the test, you're license is made on site and you are ready to go once you leave the testing site. It took me a solid three weeks for my initial application to be processed and approved, but during that time I was not able to work, nor was I allowed to work until I had that card in hand.

As you're know doubt aware, there is not a lot of ALS on the island, but there is some. I'm not really sure if anyone besides Oak Bluffs has ALS. All things considered it sounds like a cool gig especially if you're looking at them, they go all over the island doing intercepts.

 

[Medic One]

I did contact the 4 services on the island and they all have paramedics so I hope one pulls through.

They all liked the fact that I would be there for the entire summer as a resident because they are always looking but they need someone to live there vs traveling to/from island just to work. They said many people call but it is mostly for ride a longs when people are on vacation. Looks like I can get work once my certification comes.

Info want to get the "inter facility transport care" certification Where can I get that?
I really cant find a class on the web.

 

[Tigger]

I did contact the 4 services on the island and they all have paramedics so I hope one pulls through.

They all liked the fact that I would be there for the entire summer as a resident because they are always looking but they need someone to live there vs traveling to/from island just to work. They said many people call but it is mostly for ride a longs when people are on vacation. Looks like I can get work once my certification comes.

Info want to get the "inter facility transport care" certification Where can I get that?
I really cant find a class on the web.

Hmm I guess they all have the ability to have ALS, but I imagine much of it is paid on call and that the only reasons the service are ALS is that there happen to be summering medics?

When I was there two years ago I onsited a scooter accident that resulted in a massive upper leg laceration in Edgartown. The Oak Bluffs medic showed up in SUV, but everyone else was BLS.

I don't think the IFT class exists outside of companies providing ALS IFT. ALS IFT companies have a "special" set of guidelines that they must work under in addition to the state protocols and most all of the training is done in house.

 

[medicdan]

The service you work for needs to provide the IFT class-- that is simply a class that (after completion, and service protocols/medical direction) allows you to tech patients using skills not usually performed on a 911 truck (and med not carried otherwise, vents, etc), for IFT purposes only. I presume you're looking at/with Oak Bluffs Amb, who does a lot of transports from the island into Boston.

It's likely your wife you'd be going to for med con approval for many of these transports, and you'd be working under her license (if you weren't already by marriage, I kid, I kid).

If it's been more than 2 years after graduating from medic school (which I presume it has been), it's possible OEMS will require you to complete a practical exam in addition to the written, but that is inconsistency required...

If you're planning on operating under the temporary license, the service that is "sponsoring" you must attest that they are significantly understaffed without you, and prove why you will help that staffing (likely a legitimate argument on MV, I presume). I don't know of many applications that have been approved, so you should focus on getting your reciprocity paperwork submitted ASAP.

Unfortunately, you can only take the state written IN state, at PSI testing, but if/when you pass that, they print your card on site, so you can start working immediately (after the IFT class).

Hope this helps. If you have other questions, feel free to contact me via PM.

Good Luck!