Hey all, I just moved to the Phoenix area and I'm looking to get my EMT-B and work towards Paramedic. I've got a few questions about the profession and wanted to see if anyone had any insight as to what the EMS job market is like around here. Right now I'm looking to take my EMT-B at the Arizona Academy of Emergency Services - anyone know anything about this place? They seem like a good program. So, after I get my EMT-B what is the chance of getting a paid position? I'm assuming it's different for different regions but what's the general consensus? I wouldn't mind volunteering but obviously I gotta pay the bills. Do most paramedic programs require experience? The AAES paramedic program doesn't list EMT experience as a prerequisite but I read somewhere (might have been on here) that they aren't "accredited". My goal is to move from EMT-B to Paramedic as quickly as possible. Any comments or info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
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New the Phoenix area, looking to get my EMT-B and eventually Paramedic
- Thread starter Tdd
- Start date
I don't know much about that program as I did not go through it, but I do know they are more expensive. I went through Mesa Community College and they have one of the highest pass rates for not only the class but also the NREMT first time passing rate. The course should be about $1000 a little less if you buy used or already have some things with tuition, books, supplies, etc. If you go to MCC get John(Jay) Gates or Don Edwards as your instructor. They are two of the best they have there. As far as I know you have to have your basic cert for a year before you can attend medic school in Az. You don't have to work at all you just have to be certified. Basic 911 ambulance jobs are fairly hard to come by unless you know people since everything in the valley is owned by Rural/Metro except Phoenix which is fire based. Fire jobs are even scarcer then ambulance jobs. Your best bet would be an ER tech or Patient Care tech. They pay more( a couple of bucks an hour if your lucky) and you get to be in an air conditioned building. But overall in all of the phoenix metro area there are more certs than jobs. You pretty much can't throw a rock and not hit a paramedic right now. But that's not to say there are not jobs. People move on, retire, hospitals expanding, new hospitals, etc.
Thanks for the reply. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but this is definitely the path I want to take. I guess it'll just be a matter of effort and time in finding a good position. I'll have to look into the requirements for paramedic, but a year seems reasonable - plus it would give me time to save up for the course and establish my residency for in-county tuition (which is the main reason I'm going with AAES and not MCC at the moment. I just moved from out of state and it takes a year+ to establish in-county residency). I'm having a hard time finding a job in general with just a HS diploma so having my EMT-B can't hurt. Thanks again for the info
I'm trying to decide between MCC and AAES. Any input on which has the better EMT program would be appreciated. Also, are there 'networking' advantages to either, as far as getting to know people that might help with finding a job?
I can only offer the little experience I have so far - I've been in the EMT program at AAES for a few weeks now and I'm liking it so far. Every instructor is a Paramedic and I've had good interactions with all so far. From what I've gathered, AAES is held in higher regard than MCC but I don't know as to what extent as I've only really heard stuff from AAES staff. I'm looking to go Paramedic after I get my EMT, and if money were no object I would take the paramedic program as AAES. MCC is much cheaper though, so that might have to be my choice. If you have any other questions about AAES let me know and I'll offer my insights about the program so far.