Not Staying in EMS?

F

futurecop

Forum Ride Along
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
1
I'll give a little personal background before I get into it. I'm 19, live in Indiana, and attend school full time studying criminal justice. I plan on applying for police departments once I've graduated in about 3.5-4 years. I actually have no interest in EMS as a long-term career.

The local EMS provider has job openings for a part-time EMT. Ideally, I would like to get my EMT-B certification and get hired on with them. Being that it's part-time, I would be able to attend school and work a job that's good (as compared to minimum wage food service/entertainment venue type jobs) and somewhat relevant to policing (first responder, deal with the similar types of people, etc.). I would plan on working for them until I could get hired on with a police department, which would be at least 4 years away. I enjoy helping people, think EMS is somewhat interesting, and think it would be a good job for my needs. I just don't plan on staying in the EMS or medical field long-term.

Now my questions. Is it common for someone to take a part-time (or even full-time) EMT job without plans to stay in a medical field? Does that even matter? How likely is it for a 19 year old EMT-B to be hired in the first place? Does what I've said so far sound realistic?

I appreciate all opinions, comments, questions, and concerns. Thanks!
 
futurecop said:
I'll give a little personal background before I get into it. I'm 19, live in Indiana, and attend school full time studying criminal justice. I plan on applying for police departments once I've graduated in about 3.5-4 years. I actually have no interest in EMS as a long-term career.

The local EMS provider has job openings for a part-time EMT. Ideally, I would like to get my EMT-B certification and get hired on with them. Being that it's part-time, I would be able to attend school and work a job that's good (as compared to minimum wage food service/entertainment venue type jobs) and somewhat relevant to policing (first responder, deal with the similar types of people, etc.). I would plan on working for them until I could get hired on with a police department, which would be at least 4 years away. I enjoy helping people, think EMS is somewhat interesting, and think it would be a good job for my needs. I just don't plan on staying in the EMS or medical field long-term.

Now my questions. Is it common for someone to take a part-time (or even full-time) EMT job without plans to stay in a medical field? Does that even matter? How likely is it for a 19 year old EMT-B to be hired in the first place? Does what I've said so far sound realistic?

I appreciate all opinions, comments, questions, and concerns. Thanks!
Click to expand...

That paragraph has a good flow! In my opinion your plan is a great idea, you would get some great experience, develop some personal relations, learn a thing or two and be able to apply it to your job as a peace officer.

Good luck!
Regards, Andrew
 
If you get your EMT cert, you can walk into pretty much any private service company in Indiana and get hired on the spot. Your age isn't even really a factor because if you aren't old enough to drive on their insurance, they will just pair you up with a driver and you will have to tech every thing.

As a basic, you aren't going to make much more than minimum wage. In all honesty, go get a job with a security company or flip burgers. You'll most likely make more money.

Also, you aren't going to be dealing with many situations that would be similar to law enforcement. You are going to be shuffling people back and forth from dialysis and doctor appointments. You will be a glorified taxi. End of shift times are a suggestion. There will be a lot of times you will be held over, and it isn't unheard of to be toned out for something as an emergency by dispatch to force you into taking the run. (Most of the companies around here have a rule that if you are toned out you must take the run, regardless of when you are toned out - 1 minute before end of shift, or 1 hour after end of shift.)

If it was me, I wouldn't waste my time or money for a part-time job in a field you aren't even all that interested in. There are plenty of other part-time jobs out there that will pay just as much, if not more.
 
One of my partners over the summer was in the process of applying to the city police department at the same. He had similar thoughts as you, start working in the same environment as the cops with similar people and learn how the emergency services "work" to some degree.

Most EMTs are not planning to be EMTs for long. Everyone has another plan, paramedic, fire, nursing, med school, musician, the whole nine yards. Most employers are somewhat aware of this I think.



Epi-do said:
As a basic, you aren't going to make much more than minimum wage. In all honesty, go get a job with a security company or flip burgers. You'll most likely make more money.
Click to expand...

While that may be true, I think the small degree of fulfillment combined with the significant independence afforded to ambulance crews makes the job worth taking what can't be much more than a dollar per hour pay cut. Obviously others mileage will vary, but for me even working predominately IFT keeps me much happier than punching buttons a register.
 
I agree. I went from making over 50k a year in fl working with computers to now around 17 bucks an hr as a medic. I work two days a week and the 8 hrs of ot helps keep me close to 45k a yr.. All it takes is a OT shift here and there and I`m actually make more money then I did in FL. Not only that I dont have bosses or owners breathing down my neck. Granted the job isnt what I expected while in school I do like it.
 
futurecop said:
I'll give a little personal background before I get into it. I'm 19, live in Indiana, and attend school full time studying criminal justice. I plan on applying for police departments once I've graduated in about 3.5-4 years. I actually have no interest in EMS as a long-term career.

The local EMS provider has job openings for a part-time EMT. Ideally, I would like to get my EMT-B certification and get hired on with them. Being that it's part-time, I would be able to attend school and work a job that's good (as compared to minimum wage food service/entertainment venue type jobs) and somewhat relevant to policing (first responder, deal with the similar types of people, etc.). I would plan on working for them until I could get hired on with a police department, which would be at least 4 years away. I enjoy helping people, think EMS is somewhat interesting, and think it would be a good job for my needs. I just don't plan on staying in the EMS or medical field long-term.

Now my questions. Is it common for someone to take a part-time (or even full-time) EMT job without plans to stay in a medical field? Does that even matter? How likely is it for a 19 year old EMT-B to be hired in the first place? Does what I've said so far sound realistic?

I appreciate all opinions, comments, questions, and concerns. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Want my career advice? One word. NINJA :ph34r:
 
I think its a good idea as well.

Youll learn how emergency services work, develop skills interacting with people, possibly network some.

You gotta have a part time job to get by so might as well do this instead of retail or something else.
 
shfd739 said:
I think its a good idea as well.

Youll learn how emergency services work, develop skills interacting with people, possibly network some.

You gotta have a part time job to get by so might as well do this instead of retail or something else.
Click to expand...


Granted, he hasn't mentioned the name of the company, but there is only one in Marion County that runs 911. Anything else is going to be private service. That being said, odds are, it wouldn't be the 911 service that is hiring right now. So, how does running the renal roundup teach how emergency services work?

I am sorry, but I really disagree with everyone who thinks working private service, running transfers all day, has anything to do with police work. If it was the 911 service, maybe, but not private service in Indianapolis.
 
Epi-do said:
Granted, he hasn't mentioned the name of the company, but there is only one in Marion County that runs 911. Anything else is going to be private service. That being said, odds are, it wouldn't be the 911 service that is hiring right now. So, how does running the renal roundup teach how emergency services work?

I am sorry, but I really disagree with everyone who thinks working private service, running transfers all day, has anything to do with police work. If it was the 911 service, maybe, but not private service in Indianapolis.
Click to expand...

Tons of paperwork, mindless drudgery, crappy food, sitting in a vehicle all day. Sounds a lot like law enforcement to me :)
 
Epi-do said:
Granted, he hasn't mentioned the name of the company, but there is only one in Marion County that runs 911. Anything else is going to be private service. That being said, odds are, it wouldn't be the 911 service that is hiring right now. So, how does running the renal roundup teach how emergency services work?

I am sorry, but I really disagree with everyone who thinks working private service, running transfers all day, has anything to do with police work. If it was the 911 service, maybe, but not private service in Indianapolis.
Click to expand...

It's partially my fault because I'm being vague on purpose, but who said it was in Marion County? The provider I am talking about is the sole EMS provider for my county, and is a 911 service. Nonetheless, I can understand your point.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I've talked to a few people about it and have decided to go ahead and go for it.
 
futurecop said:
I'll give a little personal background before I get into it. I'm 19, live in Indiana, and attend school full time studying criminal justice. I plan on applying for police departments once I've graduated in about 3.5-4 years. I actually have no interest in EMS as a long-term career.

The local EMS provider has job openings for a part-time EMT. Ideally, I would like to get my EMT-B certification and get hired on with them. Being that it's part-time, I would be able to attend school and work a job that's good (as compared to minimum wage food service/entertainment venue type jobs) and somewhat relevant to policing (first responder, deal with the similar types of people, etc.). I would plan on working for them until I could get hired on with a police department, which would be at least 4 years away. I enjoy helping people, think EMS is somewhat interesting, and think it would be a good job for my needs. I just don't plan on staying in the EMS or medical field long-term.

Now my questions. Is it common for someone to take a part-time (or even full-time) EMT job without plans to stay in a medical field? Does that even matter? How likely is it for a 19 year old EMT-B to be hired in the first place? Does what I've said so far sound realistic?

I appreciate all opinions, comments, questions, and concerns. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes. You will get many experiential blades on your "Swiss Army knife of life" and 'working ambulance" might just be one. Used to be very common for premed students to work ambulance, especially if it meant a free place to live in exchange for taking midnight shift all the time.
 
futurecop said:
I'll give a little personal background before I get into it. I'm 19, live in Indiana, and attend school full time studying criminal justice. I plan on applying for police departments once I've graduated in about 3.5-4 years. I actually have no interest in EMS as a long-term career.

The local EMS provider has job openings for a part-time EMT. Ideally, I would like to get my EMT-B certification and get hired on with them. Being that it's part-time, I would be able to attend school and work a job that's good (as compared to minimum wage food service/entertainment venue type jobs) and somewhat relevant to policing (first responder, deal with the similar types of people, etc.). I would plan on working for them until I could get hired on with a police department, which would be at least 4 years away. I enjoy helping people, think EMS is somewhat interesting, and think it would be a good job for my needs. I just don't plan on staying in the EMS or medical field long-term.

Now my questions. Is it common for someone to take a part-time (or even full-time) EMT job without plans to stay in a medical field? Does that even matter? How likely is it for a 19 year old EMT-B to be hired in the first place? Does what I've said so far sound realistic?

I appreciate all opinions, comments, questions, and concerns. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Having been a cop (hence the LEO in my SN) I would think long and hard about your career choice. The law enforcement profession is a wonderful profession and I have lots of great memories and expieriences having been a cop. That said, you couldn't pay me enough to be a cop now. Society has gone to hell especially where police are involved. I have never seen such hate and discontent for a profession.

If you have no experience with police work you will be in for an eye opening experience. I was a police explorer through high school so I knew what I was getting into.

Personally, I find EMS to be a better fit for my career goals. Regardless of what you choose make sure you choose it for the right reasons.
 
I realize this is an old thread, but I'm somewhat curious how futurecop is coming along. I have an interest in this as I went the opposite route. I have fifteen years as a cop, and am a relatively new EMT. Since many people find that things are not as they expected, I'd like to know how it is going for you.

The only company I can think of off the top of my head that has an entire city contract is AMR in Evansville. I'm sure that there are others, but I'm just not that in-the-know. I know that some of my LEO friends down there like them and have not had any complaints.

Anyway.... How is it going?
 
Send the OP a PM, PDQ.
 
medic417 said:
Well as you know fire has taken over EMS in many places. Well now it appears police are taking over fire. So it maybe beneficial for you to already have your emt.
Click to expand...

BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFkV2cmZqMVZTM3hHQTdoQ3BpQUp2bXcAAAACaWQKAXgAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg


It's the Circle of Life!

Or is "Rock Scissors Paper Lizard Spock" more appropo?
rock_paper_scissors_lizard_spock__by_lizardspock-d557frx.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top