Passed NREMT, but no work in over 1 year

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FIREMedic619

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I took my EMT course last March and finished in May. I passed my NREMT a week later. We had a baby shortly after, and I decided to stay home full-time so that we didn't have to worry about childcare.

Fast forward nearly 13 months later, and I'm ready to find work. My certification is still good, I have my ADL, Medical Examiner's Card, a clean DMV printout, and CPR for HCP. But, it's been so long since my EMT course and NREMT that I don't feel confident in my skills or knowledge anymore.

I actually finished at the top of my class when we "graduated". And I passed my NREMT the first time around. I'm thinking I could take a refresher course, but think that may not be a good enough review for me since I feel like I'm weak in everything. I'm seriously considering just taking another EMT-B class at my local community college in the Fall just to get myself up to par.

What do you guys think?
 
Is there a place you can do a few ride alongs?

It'll either all come back to you once you get on a truck, or you'll know you need that refresher.
 
Try volunteering somewhere? If not read the book again. You just haven't used your skills in a while, once you start using them again it will be a little rough, but I'm sure most of it will come back to you without a problem. Just like anything else, if you don't practice you'll forget.
 
Don't mess around with a refresher- just go out and job hunt. Job hunting is a big enough endeavor to have on your plate right now. Put all your energies into that!

Volunteer if you have time, either doing ride alongs, or in an ER near you... that should be the exposure you need and you can talk about in interviews.

If you really want to, I'd say read your book or do some scenario-based question flashcards from one of the study guides... but honestly I would advise you just to throw yourself into job hunting.

Congrats on the new baby :)
Cheers,
bean
 
I wouldn't bother taking the course over again. Look over your book, and I'm sure things will start coming back to you. Plus if you work for a transport service you will be able to practice the skills you learned in class.
 
Just take a 24 hour refresher course. You'll have to take one, or 24 hours of CE within the next 12 months anyway to re-cert.
 
Thanks for all the opinions guys.

I think I'll just read the book as much as I can. I still have my skills sheets (thank goodness), and I'll use that to quiz myself. I even made myself a protocols binder of the county I want to work in. I registered for a refresher at my local CC--I figured I might as well do it now since I'll be approaching the 2 year mark soon enough.

Plus, I'd like to go to paramedic school in the Fall of 2012, and my local CCs require at least 6-12 months of rig experience prior to applying--so I have to start hitting the pavement and applying so I can get a job or else I'll miss that window.
 
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