Philadelphia EMS Job Discussion

[mikepud]

Hi again from the philly metro area

I am starting to become concerned about finding a job after I finish EMT-B training. Is it impossible to get a job right out of EMT school? I have already been in contact with several ambulance Co's to start the volunteer application process. I just assumed once I was finished school I would find a job opening somewhere. As always any input is helpful

 

[Amberlamps916]

What is your location?

 

[mikepud]

Re Job worries

What is your location?

Just outside of Philly

 

[Amberlamps916]

Don't fret about it too much. Just keep your head up and continue to apply to companies. Big cities are usually oversaturated so it just takes some time and persistence.

 

[Blamo]

EMT-B Job hunt in Philly. How did you start your career? Any Advice for the newbs?

Employers in Philly, like any large city, have a great deal of applicants. How can someone starting out their career stand out in the application process when they posses little-to-no hands on experience except for what was learned in their training course? Any advice from EMS workers about their first jobs and how they stood out/drew attention to their application?

 

[DrParasite]

if you want to work for philly 911, get your medic. other places in NJ (you know that little state across the delaware) or in the suburbs will hire EMTs.

 

[Medic87]

Try private companies they hire basics with little or no experience at all,although all you gonna do is transporting old people to and from dialysis!
Good Luck !!!

 

[Jon]

I merged the 2 recent Philly job discussions into this thread.

Sadly, fresh EMT's are a dime a dozen, as are ambulance companies in Philly. Some of the companies are reputable, some are shady. Sadly, you won't really be able to understand what is and isn't shady until you've been doing this for a bit. It's complicated... Even more so when you start talking about "Russian" ambulances.

Best advice? Just apply everywhere. If you've got a clean driving record and look presentable, you're actually doing better than a good chunk of the candidates.

A quick rundown:

AMR - National company. Philly base runs IFT - very few BLS only crews, and almost no dialysis. Provides drivers/ambulances to several hospital CCT operations.

Keystone and EMStar - Large local companies - Lots of BLS, you likely won't get partnered with a medic for a while, if that's something you want. Both provide ambulances/drivers to hospital CCT operations.

Transcare and Butler - Regional/National companies. Pretty similar to everyone else.

Every company has it's own issues, and to some degree, employment is cyclic, and you can play 6-degrees of Philly area EMS with EVERYONE.

Another option - Various security agencies hire EMT's to function as Security Officer - EMT's in the area. It's different, but it's not a bad job, and perhaps it's a step up from dialysis IFT.

If you are seeking 911 employment. Don't bother. If you want to do that eventually - find someplace to volunteer. Then work up to it. Second Alarmers in Montgomery County might be a good place to start.