SoCal/ La county Ambulance Jobs
- Thread starter shademt
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Chris07
Competent in Incompetence
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Generally hiring new EMTs often is not always a good indicator of being a good company, but considering the nature of Southern CA, even the "better" companies seem to go through a lot of EMTs.
Anyway, I would first start by applying to companies that are approved to operate in LA County. Check Here. LA county is really cracking down on unlicensed companies. Joining an unlicensed company could land you out of a job soon after you start it. These companies have applications that are pending. Unless otherwise stated, they are allowed to operate in the county while their application for licensure is processed (a process which takes several years).
All companies, with the exception of a select few are IFT only (Hospital to Hospital, SNF to ER, ...Dialysis <_< ).
Your big 911 companies are AMR, Care, McCormick, and Schaefer. Gerber and Americare have single city contracts for 911 transportation. Although these companies run along with fire departments for 911, they also do a good amount of IFTs. Pure 911 is non-existent in SoCal unless you join the Fire Department, which is ultra competitive.
With that out of the way my best advice to you is:
0. Apply as far as you are willing to travel each day.
1. Apply to several companies.
2. Apply to 911 companies near you. Most like experience, but its not unheard of for them to pickup an EMT fresh out of school. It's always worth a try.
3. Be patient (but don't let them forget about you)
4. Most, if not all, have a written test (just like an EMT class final, but slightly easier)
5. Some have skills testing (911 companies do for sure)
The biggest thing about landing a job (especially with the larger companies) is luck. I got on with a 911 company in LA because I applied just as they were doing a lot of hiring. With a little luck and a lot of persistence you should be able to land something
Anyway, I would first start by applying to companies that are approved to operate in LA County. Check Here. LA county is really cracking down on unlicensed companies. Joining an unlicensed company could land you out of a job soon after you start it. These companies have applications that are pending. Unless otherwise stated, they are allowed to operate in the county while their application for licensure is processed (a process which takes several years).
All companies, with the exception of a select few are IFT only (Hospital to Hospital, SNF to ER, ...Dialysis <_< ).
Your big 911 companies are AMR, Care, McCormick, and Schaefer. Gerber and Americare have single city contracts for 911 transportation. Although these companies run along with fire departments for 911, they also do a good amount of IFTs. Pure 911 is non-existent in SoCal unless you join the Fire Department, which is ultra competitive.
With that out of the way my best advice to you is:
0. Apply as far as you are willing to travel each day.
1. Apply to several companies.
2. Apply to 911 companies near you. Most like experience, but its not unheard of for them to pickup an EMT fresh out of school. It's always worth a try.
3. Be patient (but don't let them forget about you)
4. Most, if not all, have a written test (just like an EMT class final, but slightly easier)
5. Some have skills testing (911 companies do for sure)
The biggest thing about landing a job (especially with the larger companies) is luck. I got on with a 911 company in LA because I applied just as they were doing a lot of hiring. With a little luck and a lot of persistence you should be able to land something
Amberlamps916
Droog
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Try Medlife Ambu.....oh wait, nevermind. Go with the licensed companies or else you'll become well versed in nothing but weighing the gurney.
Jim37F
Forum Deputy Chief
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I know this may sound stupid, but I'm in school, and I know there's no such thing as a 9-5 in EMS so what would a typical full time work week be like for an LA County company be? I.e. 12 hours MTW? Basically I want to know if its at all possible to work a full time and still get 12 credit hours of school in a week.
Chris07
Competent in Incompetence
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Yes you can, but it all depends on how well your company works with you. Most are cool, but others can be really picky.
For 12 hours shifts, you're looking at 4 days a week for a full time schedule, but there are some companies which count 3 12s as full-time.
3 days a week for school + 4 days a week for work = 0 days a week for you.
The real question is...do you REALLY want to work full time while being (technically) a full time student? Can you balance 3 classes with 4 days a week working? If you can kudos to you...because I sure can't. I take about 12-16 units per quarter (3 days a week) and then work part-time (twice a week). Works great. I get 1 day to do homework/study/procrastinate and 1 day totally off.
Then again, different people have different needs. I don't have many bills to pay so I can get away with it.
Jim37F
Forum Deputy Chief
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Yeah I was thinking maintaining full time school for my GI Bill benefits. So perhaps working part time or vice versa (work full time take only 1 or 2 classes at a time) would be best. Now the trick is to find a hiring company lol
I sent out a few applications so far all within the last month and was starting to get a little worried that I haven't heard back from anyone but the more I browse the forums, the more it seems like a month or two between applying and getting an interview is normal
I sent out a few applications so far all within the last month and was starting to get a little worried that I haven't heard back from anyone but the more I browse the forums, the more it seems like a month or two between applying and getting an interview is normal
Chris07
Competent in Incompetence
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If you haven't heard back at all regarding an application, not even a "hey, we got your application", I would give them a call. Applications tend to get lost. It requires a bit of persistence on your part. Stay on their butts, but don't be annoying.