Question concerning eligibility

[Sasha]

It is just you. And that will change once you are a medic.

Nooo. I'm gonna be an ER Tech Medic so I don't hurt anyone!

 

[marineman]

AJ, both of our statements are true depending on location across the country. There are cut backs in private EMS but there is always the same number (roughly) of EMS calls. Personal opinion about fire medics aside I know a few departments that will take you on with 1 fire class and some experience as a medic because they can't get any real fire fighters that want to work on the ambulance.

In the area I live, the private EMS company (yes there's only 1) is expanding and picking up more territory. We actually just picked up a new area from a fire department that realized they weren't making as much as they expected by running an ambulance. It all depends on the area you're in and how things are handled there. Another benefit is there's 1 school that teaches EMT within 50 miles of my house which keeps the numbers down a bit compared to other areas.

True nobody (but sasha) comes to EMS looking to run IFT for a career but to a currently unemployed person a paycheck is a paycheck and they can ride it out until they find that better job that everyone wants and maybe even get medic school paid for.

 

[Luke Smith]

Alright, let me try to address a few questions at once...

1.First off, I live in Vancouver Washington, but we’re considered part of the greater Portland (OR) metro area, as we’re just across the river. It’s not NYC but it’s a large urban area and I would have to assume there’s as much work here as anywhere. That said, I’d be willing to relocate, but probably no further than Seattle, as my daughter lives here in town.

2. While I suffer from no allusions about the glamorous nature of the work, and it my not be my dream career, I do feel that it’s important, respectable work, that I could feel good about doing, “piss and puke” included. Every job has its own version of piss and puke! I ‘m sure it’s work that can bring about a lot of stress, which can probably be equaled by its drudgeries, but I’ve always been the kind of person who remains very level headed when faced with emergency situations, and as I alluded to, every job has its drudgeries. I’d be much more relaxed in a burning building than in a restaurant full of *****ing customers. (FYI, I know that I wouldn’t be entering burning buildings as a job duty.) Most of my friends are millwrights or carpenters but, while it’s a noble profession and they make great money doing it, I just can’t see myself as a nine to five construction worker.

3.Academics have never been a problem for me, so I feel confidant about being able to increase my certification level incrementally, but at this point, I have a family on hold and don’t wish to go to school for eight years.

4. No matter how disillusioned one might be with it, no matter how thankless it might be, and even if it’s just some idiot who’s huffed too much paint thinner, let’s face it, there aint nothin about flying down the road to save someone’s *** that you can’t be proud of.

5. At this point in my life it would be easier/quicker to get into than a lot of professions.

6.Worst case scenario, I get certified, don’t get hired, but still have some great experience to put on my resume.

7.I’ve always been willing and able to work my *** off , and I just know that I would be good at it.

…I’ll say again that really appreciate all the real world advice.

 

[el Murpharino]

5. At this point in my life it would be easier/quicker to get into than a lot of professions.

I would think bartending would be easier and quicker...and with better pay to boot.

 

[AJ Hidell]

5. At this point in my life it would be easier/quicker to get into than a lot of professions.

While I certainly appreciate your candor here with us, I definitely would not ever state anything like that to a potential school or employer, lol. I don't think I have to explain why not.

...let’s face it, there aint nothin about flying down the road to save someone’s *** that you can’t be proud of.

Or that either.

 

[HasTy]

Quick question. Work history aside, if I have only a GED and basic EMT certification, can realistically expect to find employment in the field. I’m enthusiastic about it but I’m 30, just got laid off, and don’t want to begin the process if no one is going to actually hire me. Any advise would be greatly appreciated, FYI, I live in the Pacific North West. Thanks guys!

Ok dude not alot of people knew about me but I have a GED and a EMT-B I had a job in CA however I quit that job and went to paramedic school then I failed out of paramedic school and in CA job market for medicine is extremely tough how ever keep your ears open make friends with people at the various companies and hopefully they will let you know when a job comes available.

 

[triemal04]

Far as getting a job, both AMR in Multnomah County (Portland and surrounding cities) and MetroWest in Washington County (just outside Portland) hire basics. With AMR you'll be working on more of a wheelchair car doing simple transfers. You might want to check AMR's Vancouver service as well. MetroWest has the same deal but also there's the chance of being paired up with a medic to take 911 calls. Just remember, MetroWest is called MurderDeath or MurderWest pretty regularly.

If you're willing to go farther than Portland, PacWest (a division of MetroWest, albeit only loosely connected nowdays) has coverage along the mid-coast area. With them you'll be paired up with a medic handling 911 calls mostly. And Metro also has a wheelchair division in Eugene to handle some calls, and will more than likely be hiring a lot in the near future to handle non-emergent 911 calls.

Rural-Metro covers Salem and hires basics; again, you'll be paired with a medic mostly covering 911 calls.

Mercy-Flights in Medford (southern end of the state) takes basics in transfer and 911 roles. One of the other members here now works for them I believe, so she might be able to answer more questions about them.

I think Western Lane and Bay Cities Ambulance both hire basics but I'm not 100% on that one. Both tend to retain their people for awhile, so they don't hire that often.

Those are the major private services that hire basics. A lot of EMS is based out of fire departments in Oregon, so there is that to consider. As well, remember that if you plan on becoming a Paramedic (go for it) an Associate's Degree is required.

 

[Luke Smith]

While I certainly appreciate your candor here with us, I definitely would not ever state anything like that to a potential school or employer, lol. I don't think I have to explain why not.


Or that either.

Of coarse not, just being candid.

Also, as far as being a bartender, I was managing one of the busiest pub's in town and I can't find a job squirting milkshakes at McDonalds these days.

 

[Luke Smith]

Far as getting a job, both AMR in Multnomah County (Portland and surrounding cities) and MetroWest in Washington County (just outside Portland) hire basics. With AMR you'll be working on more of a wheelchair car doing simple transfers. You might want to check AMR's Vancouver service as well. MetroWest has the same deal but also there's the chance of being paired up with a medic to take 911 calls. Just remember, MetroWest is called MurderDeath or MurderWest pretty regularly.

If you're willing to go farther than Portland, PacWest (a division of MetroWest, albeit only loosely connected nowdays) has coverage along the mid-coast area. With them you'll be paired up with a medic handling 911 calls mostly. And Metro also has a wheelchair division in Eugene to handle some calls, and will more than likely be hiring a lot in the near future to handle non-emergent 911 calls.

Rural-Metro covers Salem and hires basics; again, you'll be paired with a medic mostly covering 911 calls.

Mercy-Flights in Medford (southern end of the state) takes basics in transfer and 911 roles. One of the other members here now works for them I believe, so she might be able to answer more questions about them.

I think Western Lane and Bay Cities Ambulance both hire basics but I'm not 100% on that one. Both tend to retain their people for awhile, so they don't hire that often.

Those are the major private services that hire basics. A lot of EMS is based out of fire departments in Oregon, so there is that to consider. As well, remember that if you plan on becoming a Paramedic (go for it) an Associate's Degree is required.

Thanks, that's some really good info to copy down.

 

[PapaBear434]

Quick question. Work history aside, if I have only a GED and basic EMT certification, can realistically expect to find employment in the field. I’m enthusiastic about it but I’m 30, just got laid off, and don’t want to begin the process if no one is going to actually hire me. Any advise would be greatly appreciated, FYI, I live in the Pacific North West. Thanks guys!

Find a volunteer service like the one I run with. Almost everyone there works with something in the medical field. It's a good way to get networking and possibly get in with a medical transport company or into an ER tech position.

 

[AJ Hidell]

Find a volunteer service like the one I run with. Almost everyone there works with something in the medical field. It's a good way to get networking and possibly get in with a medical transport company or into an ER tech position.

It's also the best possible way to hold back the growth of the profession. After all, if you put no value on your services, why should your community value it?

Regardless, our friend here said he is looking for a job (i.e. gainful employment), not a hobby.

 

[sir.shocksalot]

It's also the best possible way to hold back the growth of the profession. After all, if you put no value on your services, why should your community value it?

Regardless, our friend here said he is looking for a job (i.e. gainful employment), not a hobby.

I volunteer as an EMT. Unless you want to call the spare change I receive from my multistate ambulance company a "paycheck."

 

[AJ Hidell]

I volunteer as an EMT. Unless you want to call the spare change I receive from my multistate ambulance company a "paycheck."

LOL! Exactly! And so long as half the EMTs in the country give it away for free, you should not expect that to ever change.

 

[CAOX3]

It's also the best possible way to hold back the growth of the profession. After all, if you put no value on your services, why should your community value it?.

Hold back the growth this proffesion? Have you seen the posts here. I would assume that this ranks way down on the list of things that are holding back EMS.

 

[AJ Hidell]

Hold back the growth this proffesion? Have you seen the posts here. I would assume that this ranks way down on the list of things that are holding back EMS.

Actually, it rates number one of all problems holding back the profession. Plumbers have a lot more image problems than us, but they make many times the money that we do. Why do you think that might be? Could it be because you can't find any volunteer plumbers?

 

[medic417]

Actually, it rates number one of all problems holding back the profession. Plumbers have a lot more image problems than us, but they make many times the money that we do. Why do you think that might be? Could it be because you can't find any volunteer plumbers?

As do car salesmen. Known to be liars etc yet they make good money with no education. Why? Because they do not compete with those that do it for free.

 

[BossyCow]

Actually, it rates number one of all problems holding back the profession. Plumbers have a lot more image problems than us, but they make many times the money that we do. Why do you think that might be? Could it be because you can't find any volunteer plumbers?

No, it's because a toilet backed up makes a bigger mess than Aunt Agatha bleeding on the floor.

 

[PapaBear434]

It's also the best possible way to hold back the growth of the profession. After all, if you put no value on your services, why should your community value it?

Regardless, our friend here said he is looking for a job (i.e. gainful employment), not a hobby.

I'll TRY to ignore the pretentiousness of your opinion of me. I plan on making a living some day as a MEDIC. As an EMT-B, E, or I, however, I can live with my service paying for my schooling every semester in exchange for four shifts a month until I get my degree. It sounds like a fair enough exchange to me.

Never mind, I can't ignore the pretentiousness. By the by, I do many more shifts than my required four, just because the city is rather short handed in this new year. Sorry it offends your sensibilities, but I like to help folks despite what you think of me. Not willing to let the city go undermanned and people go without help just to prove a point.

 

[AJ Hidell]

I'll TRY to ignore the pretentiousness of your opinion of me.

Pretension? How pretentious is it for you to accuse me of having any kind of opinion of you personally when I have said nothing of the sort? Unless your name is Luke Smith, this thread isn't about you.

But since you bring it up, yes, thank you so much for throwing my entire profession under the bus just so that you can get a free paramedic patch. That's very altruistic of you. Way to give back. Professional commitment at it's finest.

Now, once you get that patch, and all you can find is a volly gig with it, I'm sure you'll sit around and genuinely wonder why it is that there are no good paying medic gigs in your area. Who'd a thunk it? But no big deal, since you didn't have to pay anything for that patch anyhow, right?

Do you not see the cyclic problem here? You think your services are worth NOTHING. You pay NOTHING for your education, so your education is worth NOTHING. There are no paying jobs for you after you receive your education because you have told your community that you are worth NOTHING. So the profession continues to be less than a profession for another forty years because the people in it treat it as if it were worth NOTHING.

 

[ffemt8978]

That's enough of this one for a while.