New to EMT

[OrbitDawg24]

Hello ladies and gents! I am strongly considering EMT school, soon. I have a few questions from those with experience. Sorry if some of these questions are redundant, here. I am new to the site and didn’t see a beginner breakout discussion.

1. There are multiple class options. I can do traditional community college, which is slower but prepares me for being a paramedic. I can do an in class EMT program. Here in Houston, they are roughly 12 weeks. Then, there are hybrid and completely online options. Is there significant difference in the various trainings? I realize the community college paramedic will be more in depth, but I’m asking specifically for the EMT level? I can get into a hybrid 2 day a week course at the end of January. I am curious for input.

2. Seasonal depression is a new thing I’ve experienced the last couple years. I understand there are traumatic events in this industry. How do you manage depression if you have struggled with it in this profession? Can it be managed, or do you advise against this career path? I am a mature 40-year-old with a family, so I at least know how to get help. I just do not want to make depression spiral out of control.

3. Are there significant differences between private companies vs government funded branches?

Thank you for any feedback.

 

[Jn1232th]

I say take the EMT program that works best with you. Honestly I don’t see a big difference in hybrid or traditional other than the persons personal thoughts on it.
I did my EMT in person, did my medic hybrid and I liked hybrid muchhh more. Worked better with my work life balance and my studying habits.

As for traumatic calls, I’ve definitely have had enough to learn what works for me. I like to exercise. I debrief calls with my crew afterwards and I did therapy when needed. It all helped. Don’t be afraid to do therapy or such. It works wonders. Also a traumatic call for one person is different for the next. I can see gore all day. I’ll tear up and think about the kid getting pulled away from his family on the drive home though when doing a wellness check or such.

Private vs public really depends on your area. I’m in California and most 911 ambulances here are private. I work for a helicopter service now which is private. If you want to work fire, you have to also go through fire academy and such.
Texas of course is different. I heard great things about Austin Travis county and about Montgomery hospital district which are both public.

 

[MMiz]

I don't think it matters what training program you pursue, as long as the program is reputable and you learn the information and skills.

I tried doing mine at a community college initially and dropped out after a few days due to the long night classes. Instead I completed it over the summer in an academy setting. If I were to take my EMT-Basic class today I'd absolutely go the hybrid route.

You would manage depression in EMS similar to many other professions. First, hopefully you're being treated by a mental health professional. Using their services shows professional responsibility, not weakness. They will be able to help you work through challenges when they arise. On the job, prioritize good sleep, good nutrition, physical exercise, and activities you can do between calls to help ground you.

Processing trauma can be really hard. I would seek out support in your colleagues, use the employer's Employee Assistance Program, and really focus on leaving work at work.

The service you work for and their scope of practice really depends on the area. You'll find public jobs generally pay more, have better equipment, and provide a better work life balance.

In the area I worked, almost all EMS was done by private EMS that was contracted by the municipality. In that case, the goal for most of my colleagues was to get on with a fire department as a firefighter/Paramedic.

I'd absolutely dip your toes into the water as an EMT and go from there.

 

[johnrsemt]

Classes do what is best for you; All of mine were 100% in person, but I did them 26 years ago (Basic) and 20 years ago (Medic), and we didn't have a choice.

Stress/Depression; eat well, exercise, and have things to do outside of work. I actually have less stress when I have real patient care, but I am working on the other things, cause I am a few years from retirement.

I work for Federal Government, and get paid very well. Fire Departments pay well, even for EMS only. Private and hospital based pay well, but not as many 911 runs.
More and more services are realizing that they need to pay better to attract and keep people.

 

[DrParasite]

I know I'm old school, but I would take an in person class. 3-4 hours a night, 2 nights a week, plus some weekends. Can you do it online? sure, but it's tough to do hands on stuff online. Also, you are a 40 years old with a family, and kids don't always understand that you can't help them with something because you are in class. For the time you are in class, be unavailable except for emergencies.

Remember, you will also have 3-4 hours of reading to do before class, and prepare for lectures, so there will be time management skills that you will need to focus on.

Stress and depression: develop an exercise routine, and stick to it. Are you looking for a new career? very often, you have instructors who work for local agencies, and they can help you get a job.

Private sectors tend to pay worse, have worse conditions, and have much more turnover; but it's easier to get hired. Public sector agencies pay better, have better conditions, have much less turnover, however it's harder to get hired. in addition, many of the better paying jobs are looking for people with experience.