Richmond Ambulance Authority

[Whiskey]

Hi guys,

It's my first post here, and I've played around with the search feature for a while and couldn't find anything concrete on RAA, at least what I was looking for. Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place, or if I missed a thread by accident.

Does anyone here have any experience with Richmond Ambulance Authority(Virginia, in case anyone was wondering. It seems 90% of the board is affiliated with CA EMS...)? I'll possibly be moving to that part of town shortly and I was just looking for some first hand input on the authority. I realize the pay is a little on the low scale, but who does this to get rich.

Specifically, how's the working conditions? Are the employees treated decently? Room for promotion and growth? Would it be more beneficial, financially and experience wise, to get a job there as a medic, or search for an ED tech spot in Richmond?

Please and thanks, for any information you guys have on the Authority!

Cheers,
Whiskey

 

[MedicVA11]

Hi guys,

It's my first post here, and I've played around with the search feature for a while and couldn't find anything concrete on RAA, at least what I was looking for. Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place, or if I missed a thread by accident.

Does anyone here have any experience with Richmond Ambulance Authority(Virginia, in case anyone was wondering. It seems 90% of the board is affiliated with CA EMS...)? I'll possibly be moving to that part of town shortly and I was just looking for some first hand input on the authority. I realize the pay is a little on the low scale, but who does this to get rich.

Specifically, how's the working conditions? Are the employees treated decently? Room for promotion and growth? Would it be more beneficial, financially and experience wise, to get a job there as a medic, or search for an ED tech spot in Richmond?

Please and thanks, for any information you guys have on the Authority!

Cheers,
Whiskey

I guess it depends if you prefer to work on an ambulance or in the ED....and depends what type of salary you would prefer. Richmond is a fairly expensive place to live (although that is purely judging from where I used to live so I am a little biased.) RAA has some excellent protocols from what I have heard, but some have reported there was turnover and leadership issues. RAA pays about the average paramedic salary....not sure what the EMT-B salary is like there. You do have to pass a physical agility test to get on at RAA.

There are plenty of EDs in the Richmond area and the surrounding areas (Hopewell, Midlothian, Petersburg, etc.) if you are looking for an ED tech position. Again, there is a ton of turnover at these hospitals, but in general the benefits are good. Salary differs depending on education level (EMTB, EMTI, P), previous experience, and the length of time in the position.

So....in general, there are pros and cons to either role. Some basics/medics choose one role and many choose both roles.

 

[DrParasite]

Disclaimer: I have no first hand knowledge of RAA.

What I have heard about it: between a mostly and complete SSM system. turnover is medium to high, however they do have several lifers there. There is room for promotion, at least on paper, but they have a high turnover. Starting pay for EMTs is $11.35/Hour. I don't believe they are actually a government entity, so you don't get government benefits.

If you want to make money in Va, you need to become a FF and work as a FF/EMT or Medic in northern VA. Somewhere in VA the salaries go from pretty damn good to pretty damn bad, and I think that line is above Richmond.

What are you looking for in an agency, and what brought you to RAA? If you are looking for the general area, look at NC (only about an hour and a half south). but if you want a career in EMS, you are going to need to go to paramedic school. If you want to be an ER tech, plenty of jobs at any hospital, but I think they pay less than an EMS job.

 

[MedicVA11]

Somewhere in VA the salaries go from pretty damn good to pretty damn bad, and I think that line is above Richmond.

Richmond has a decent salary for medics (again, not sure how it is for basics). Yet, Richmond is higher in living expenses then Roanoke, Lynchburg, etc. Northern VA - Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, etc. - has much higher salaries. Unfortunately, the cost of living can be astronomical in price in northern VA.