Hey everyone I am new to this forum and just have a quick question. I have recently completed my 5 month emt course and am currently in the process of getting my emt certification through the state of New Jersey. Helping people is all I want to do and when I performed my ride along it was one of the best experiences of my life. However I have one problem. When I was 20 years old(about a year and a half ago) I was convicted of an underage dui which means I was driving my car under the limit of .08. I blew a .03 which is way below the legal limit but since I was under the age of 21 I was charged with a "baby" dui. I know this will affect my employment but my question is whether or not I can still get hired somewhere.
Question about employment
- Thread starter Surf890
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DUI is pretty much a career killer.
You can pretty much try to get a job the ER as an ER technician maybe (in some areas, highly sought after due to high pay, often requires previous or similar experience)? Or look for ambulance attendant (without driving) jobs, which may be few and rare depending on area (eg my area, that doesn't really exist).
Not to be cold or mean, just to be realistic... I would look into another career. There are paramedics with DUIs out there, but they are rare and lucky. A DUI doesn't just take away your ability to be insured to drive an ambulance, it always takes away your trust since you had very poor judgement in the past.
Whatever you do, good luck.
You can pretty much try to get a job the ER as an ER technician maybe (in some areas, highly sought after due to high pay, often requires previous or similar experience)? Or look for ambulance attendant (without driving) jobs, which may be few and rare depending on area (eg my area, that doesn't really exist).
Not to be cold or mean, just to be realistic... I would look into another career. There are paramedics with DUIs out there, but they are rare and lucky. A DUI doesn't just take away your ability to be insured to drive an ambulance, it always takes away your trust since you had very poor judgement in the past.
Whatever you do, good luck.
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unleashedfury
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Pretty much what Aprz said.
I mean you can try to apply to places, but its a slim to none chance. Unless you go to a pulse & patch service. that is pretty desperate for warm bodies.
I am not 100% up to snuff on Jersey's rules, but I know in Pa if you have a DUI you are not allowed to operate a emergency vehicle for 5 years after the charges where filed. A guy I used to work with got one, and it left his career in the toilet he's been free and clear 7 years now but can't get off the dispatch desk. Another co-worker I used to have got one and he's stuck working at the less desirable services.
I mean you can try to apply to places, but its a slim to none chance. Unless you go to a pulse & patch service. that is pretty desperate for warm bodies.
I am not 100% up to snuff on Jersey's rules, but I know in Pa if you have a DUI you are not allowed to operate a emergency vehicle for 5 years after the charges where filed. A guy I used to work with got one, and it left his career in the toilet he's been free and clear 7 years now but can't get off the dispatch desk. Another co-worker I used to have got one and he's stuck working at the less desirable services.
I get that i made a huge mistake but the fact that I was under the limit won't help my chances at getting hired? I know I should never of drove with any alcohol in my system and I have not done so since. But i figured the fact that I was not over the legal limit could help me get hired. By the way what is a pulse & patch service?
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TransportJockey
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You were under 21 so being under the limit won't help you.
Golden Eye
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Don't be discourage. There's some companies that would hire you just being attendant, not as a driver so still do it if you wish. If you're lucky, you can become an ER Tech. Goodluck.
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The limit when you are under 21 is .01 in NJ. That makes you over the limit.
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A DUI is pretty much a career killer. There are few that hire non drivers, but its rough. What part of the state, I know some places. PM me.
unleashedfury
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Pulse & Patch Service means you have a certification and your a warm body, congratulations you have a job.
The kicker is you were underage when the DUI occurred, even though its a "baby DUI" its still a beotch, as any alcohol in your system when your under 21 is automatically a DUI.
The kicker is you were underage when the DUI occurred, even though its a "baby DUI" its still a beotch, as any alcohol in your system when your under 21 is automatically a DUI.
equality15
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It's not necessarily a career killer, It only happened a year and a half ago so that's pretty soon. You'll have better luck in a few more years. I know someone now who worked as an EMT in Houston at a volunteer service for 4 years with a DUI on her record. She drove also, and I know that a big service in northeast Texas says it just has to be 5 or 6 years ago and no violations since then. (I believe it's 5 or 6 years). But I for sure know someone that works there as a Medic that has a DWI.
Good Luck
Btw... you took a 5 month EMT Class?! Mine was just under 3 months..
Good Luck
Btw... you took a 5 month EMT Class?! Mine was just under 3 months..
Golden Eye
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wowmulewow
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It may be somewhat of a career killer as everyone has stated. It's great that you have acknowledged that you messed up. It takes many people yeas to admit that they were in the wrong. One option you may have is to get the record expunged. I'm not sure of the process in your state, as I would get advice from legal counsel. Some courts may allow this based on your total number and severity of offenses, elapsed time since your offense(s), and the impact in may have on your career. (Also, any alcohol abuse/ safe driving courses you take following the incident may be taken into consideration) It may be a long shot, but if this is the line of work you want to be in, you might want to exhaust all your options. If this is an option available to you, I would seek legal advice. Good Luck.
Fair Winds, and Following Seas.