Starting EMT-B in the fall, have questions

rhan101277

rhan101277

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I would like to find work part-time as a EMT-B. If I can I would like to find a place near Meridian, MS. that offers night classes so I can get my EMT-P. I would like to work part-time so I can keep my current full-time job which pays more than a medic makes. I have always wanted a job helping people, or feel like I am doing something worthwhile, I have been working on cell sites for 10 years and am ready for a change. If anyone has any advice or comment, please leave it.

Thanks :)
 
Yes, although honorable .. usually and most find out that does not last long. Education requirements and tough rigorous continuing education requirements makes this a profession, most find out it is even hard to keep up doing it full time.

Now, some can volunteer and do so admirably. Again, your intentions are honorable but I would really discuss with a veteran medic on the realities of the job... good & bad, before considering entering this profession. It is far much more complicated than just helping people. There are other several organizations you can do that at..

I hope after a lengthy investigation EMS is the profession you choose.. just be informed!

Good luck!

R/r 911
 
I have been investigating, and will continue to do so. I like studying medicine and want to provide the medical care needed for people in their time of need.
 
Paramedic is a good field to get into, have you checked to see if you can go straight to medic and bypass the basic level in your area? it sounds like a good plan and all but basics make only about $8-9 an hour to start so good luck doing it part time and paying your bills unless you have someone really supportive in your life. plus like rid said in health care you have ongoing required training to keep your cert/license. if is what you want to do then best of luck to you and feel free to ask and specifics that you may have.
 
mikeylikesit said:
Paramedic is a good field to get into, have you checked to see if you can go straight to medic and bypass the basic level in your area? it sounds like a good plan and all but basics make only about $8-9 an hour to start so good luck doing it part time and paying your bills unless you have someone really supportive in your life. plus like rid said in health care you have ongoing required training to keep your cert/license. if is what you want to do then best of luck to you and feel free to ask and specifics that you may have.
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I want to do it part time, I make good enough of my full time job. Does anyone here do this job part time and keep a full time job. I am hopefully talking about being able to work 20 hours a week, don't know if this is far fetching or not. Not against working weekend shifts only. I can't find a medic program that has night classes. I have to work 8-5 during the day.
 
Some medic classes will do a Friday and Saturday class plus Sundays sometimes. as a part timer you will usually only have the options of 12 or 24 hour shifts sometime you can get 8 hour shifts. but minimum hours are usually around 12-24 hours a week.
 
mikeylikesit said:
Some medic classes will do a Friday and Saturday class plus Sundays sometimes. as a part timer you will usually only have the options of 12 or 24 hour shifts sometime you can get 8 hour shifts. but minimum hours are usually around 12-24 hours a week.
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Great hope i get the part time. I live in a rural area, so I wonder if there is much need for ALS. When I get done with EMT-B I will be able to just provide basic life support right. Living in a rural area is it possible for there just to be 2 B's in one truck and there not be a need for P's.
 
rhan101277 said:
Great hope i get the part time. I live in a rural area, so I wonder if there is much need for ALS. When I get done with EMT-B I will be able to just provide basic life support right. Living in a rural area is it possible for there just to be 2 B's in one truck and there not be a need for P's.
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In most rural area that 2 Basics, is all they can afford. but if you get that medic card and your in a rural area...good luck getting part time since they will be doing anything and everything to get you to work full time.
 
mikeylikesit said:
In most rural area that 2 Basics, is all they can afford. but if you get that medic card and your in a rural area...good luck getting part time since they will be doing anything and everything to get you to work full time.
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I live just 20 minutes from Meridian, MS. guess I can find some part time up there.
 
I had a physical performed last year that was required by my job. It was for a Commercial Drivers License, not the kind needed for 18 wheelers, but just the kind needed since I drive a company truck and haul generators. Is this sufficient for the physical requirement?

Also i take medication for anxiety, will the prohibit me from being a EMT. If so should I just keep this to myself? As long as I am on this medication i don't have issues.
 
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Rhan, the answers to your latest questions really depend on your school. I know mine wanted a recent physical, not my CDL physical. As to the anxiety medication, well, again, depends on your school. Best bet, tell the truth.
 
Thanks I have a Dr's appointment Wednesday for some immunizations I will see if I can get a physical at that time.
 
Here is where I am going to school

http://www.mcc.cc.ms.us/catalog/emergencyservice.htm

They don't require a physical or CPR-Healthcare provider, which is strange considering other surrounding junior colleges do. Maybe I have to get it later in the program or something.

If anyone on the boards has went through the program at the school, please let me know.
 
I found a college who gives paramedic courses at night: 5p-10p on Mondays,
Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Should I go straight into this after basic, or work some?
 
It all depends on you local requirements. Some areas require previous EMT experience some may not. In regards to going onward to Paramedic, that will depend upon your goals. Personally, I would not recommend it to someone that wants to do it as a hobby. It is far too hard, too long and the license/certification is difficult to maintain doing it occasionally. Remember most certifications require proficiency in areas, as well as continuing education, CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, evidence from a licensed physician that you have maintained those skills & knowledge as a Paramedic. NREMT (don't believe MA is a state requires such) requires you to be working at your current level.

As well in regards to the physical, they may not state it but nearly all schools require some form of medical history, drug screening, and personal background checks before allowing students into the clinical portion. CPR for healthcare will either be taught or required before clinicals also.

Now, the bad news. EMS is a very, very contagious bug. Once it has bit you, it is very hard to remove the symptoms of it. I have known several that have quit their 6 figure salaried job, became divorced, moved across the nation or world all over this thing called EMS. So do not be surprised if it does bite you. I have forewarned you....

Good luck!

R/r911
 
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Ridryder911 said:
It all depends on you local requirements. Some areas require previous EMT experience some may not. In regards to going onward to Paramedic, that will depend upon your goals. Personally, I would not recommend it to someone that wants to do it as a hobby. It is far too hard, too long and the license/certification is difficult to maintain doing it occasionally. Remember most certifications require proficiency in areas, as well as continuing education, CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, evidence from a licensed physician that you have maintained those skills & knowledge as a Paramedic. NREMT (don't believe MA is a state requires such) requires you to be working at your current level.

As well in regards to the physical, they may not state it but nearly all schools require some form of medical history, drug screening, and personal background checks before allowing students into the clinical portion. CPR for healthcare will either be taught or required before clinicals also.

Now, the bad news. EMS is a very, very contagious bug. Once it has bit you, it is very hard to remove the symptoms of it. I have known several that have quit their 6 figure salaried job, became divorced, moved across the nation or world all over this thing called EMS. So do not be surprised if it does bite you. I have forewarned you....

Good luck!

R/r911
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I will not be doing this as a hobby, this is something I want to do. Make a difference in people's lives. If I can make more money being a paramedic full time, then I will look into doing it full time. Especially if I really enjoy the job. If its a couple thousand less a year thats fine. If I can save someone then that would seem to me to be very rewarding. I know there will be people who do not want help. But I will be there to help anyone that does, get the proper medical attention. I am going to keep working full time while in basic and paramedic, once I become paramedic and get a job, then its time for me to decide if I want to quit this and do that full time.

Here is the paramedic school

http://www.holmes.cc.ms.us/Departments/students_tech_dept_emt_paramedic.aspx

I have talked to many people who were able to do paramedic classes and work full time. Maybe I don't have to take all those hours in one semester, maybe I can take two per semester and it just take longer.
 
As honorable as your intentions are, be sure your realistic as well. Investigate and talk to experienced medics, if possible perform a "ride out" to get some real exposure. By far, I am not trying to persuade you not to enter EMS rather I have seen hundreds or more with great intentions and ideas, only to be disappointed, this after spending time and money doing so.

EMS is NOTHING alike on television, and saving lives is only a perceptive one has. Most of the time it is filled with boredom and occasionally sure terror!

Truthfully, rarely is a life saved per EMS. Yes, we are definitely needed but a small part of a chain of medical providers that provide care to hopefully reduce loss of life.

Good luck !

R/r 911
 
Ridryder911 said:
As honorable as your intentions are, be sure your realistic as well. Investigate and talk to experienced medics, if possible perform a "ride out" to get some real exposure. By far, I am not trying to persuade you not to enter EMS rather I have seen hundreds or more with great intentions and ideas, only to be disappointed, this after spending time and money doing so.

EMS is NOTHING alike on television, and saving lives is only a perceptive one has. Most of the time it is filled with boredom and occasionally sure terror!

Truthfully, rarely is a life saved per EMS. Yes, we are definitely needed but a small part of a chain of medical providers that provide care to hopefully reduce loss of life.

Good luck !

R/r 911
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Thanks for your comments, If its not for me, I will know during clinicals for basic I am sure. Also in this state 5 life threatening ambulance rides are required for basic. I have already talked to several medics and they all enjoy their job. I guess you don't know for sure until you actually do it. Maybe basic is just for me and part time on weekends, only time will tell.
 
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to answer the question about anxiety medication. no it will not affect you in getting into school or getting on a job. they wont ask usually and if they do tell them the truth, they will usually follow up with "how bad is your anxiety" in which case be truthful and tell them that as long as you take your meds that anxiety is not an issue. Theere only concern may be that you may have an attack while helping a patient and then your partner is then on his or her own.
 
mikeylikesit said:
to answer the question about anxiety medication. no it will not affect you in getting into school or getting on a job. they wont ask usually and if they do tell them the truth, they will usually follow up with "how bad is your anxiety" in which case be truthful and tell them that as long as you take your meds that anxiety is not an issue. Theere only concern may be that you may have an attack while helping a patient and then your partner is then on his or her own.
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My current job is pretty stressful and I have no attacks, I have been on the meds for almost 2 years now and no attacks.
 
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