New in Central WA

[Aloysius]

Hello,

My name is Felix, 25, from Leavenworth WA. I recently completed an EMT-B course through Cascade Medical and passed the NREMT exam on my second try. I'm as green as they come....

I've never had so much interest and fun in any trade or schooling as I have with EMS; this has been an excellent opportunity for me to grow as a person. I look forward to working with exceptional people while pursuing a career. I find this work to be very fulfilling.

I'm currently positioning myself for employment with Cascade medical or one of the two in Wenatchee. My intention is to gain practical experience, put in work, and see where it takes me.

I've read much about the dismal state of hiring in WA but will not be deterred from making this my career. Relocation is acceptable.

If you have any insight or advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
_Felix

 

[leoemt]

Welcome and congrats from one Washingtonian to another.

You will find 2 major headaches in your new found career - though in the grand scheme of things they are probably minor.

First is the job out look, especially on the Eastern side. Cascade Valley is a good outfit to work for from what I hear. Unfortunately your other choices are going to be AMR and fire depts. I like AMR, took my EMT class through them, but they don't hire often. Keep an eye open though on their web page - you can even sign up for e-mail alerts to let you know when they have jobs. AMR serves Grant, Yakima, Spokane counties as well as the tri-cities area.

Other places to look are Sheriffs Ambulance in Stevens County (Colville) and Deer Park has their own service too. Both of them are volunteer based though I think, though I know Sheriffs Ambulance will pay you for patient contact time.

Second is the sponsorship requirement. The state wont give you your cert until you have an employer and then they seem to take forever to approve you once you get an employer.

I was hired by Cascade Ambulance (Bellingham) about 3 weeks ago. I have yet to start work because I am still in Pending status with the state . Hopefully, I will get approved soon and be able to start working.

Good luck to you, I think you will enjoy your new career. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything.

-Mike

 

[Aloysius]

Congratulations on getting on with an outfit. I bet Bellingham will be busy!

Thanks for the tip on the AMR alerts. The DRT option sounds cool too, but I am still lacking many of the training courses required. Cascade Medical's program was extremely basic and geared towards training people in the area for the area. Additional training courses such as the Hazmat, NIMS, and defensive driving courses were left out until hiring.

I'm waiting for response from the director of CM EMS and I'm going down the valley today to turn in a resume with Ballard. Hopefully I can get a hold of the folks at Lifeline too.

Fortunately my living situation is relatively stable for the time being and I can bear waiting through the process.

Volunteer work may be my path for the immediate future.

Thanks Mike!

 

[zackwilliams]

Hey guys!

 

[Aloysius]

Hey?


Had a meeting with one of the service owners in Wenatchee and I'm waiting for an interview. Received my NREMT cert packet too, probably the most pride I've had in receiving a diploma.

In the mean time I'm getting on with the Red cross for volunteer work.

Cheers

 

[MexDefender]

Hey?


Had a meeting with one of the service owners in Wenatchee and I'm waiting for an interview. Received my NREMT cert packet too, probably the most pride I've had in receiving a diploma.

In the mean time I'm getting on with the Red cross for volunteer work.

Cheers

You should look at Brewster, I saw a job listing pop up for a full time ems spot that is attached to fire department on work source.

 

[leoemt]

Congratulations on getting on with an outfit. I bet Bellingham will be busy!

Thanks for the tip on the AMR alerts. The DRT option sounds cool too, but I am still lacking many of the training courses required. Cascade Medical's program was extremely basic and geared towards training people in the area for the area. Additional training courses such as the Hazmat, NIMS, and defensive driving courses were left out until hiring.

I'm waiting for response from the director of CM EMS and I'm going down the valley today to turn in a resume with Ballard. Hopefully I can get a hold of the folks at Lifeline too.

Fortunately my living situation is relatively stable for the time being and I can bear waiting through the process.

Volunteer work may be my path for the immediate future.

Thanks Mike!

Glad you seem to be having some success over there. I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you can get on full time somewhere.