Strange Question

medichopeful

medichopeful

Flight RN/Paramedic
Messages
1,863
Reaction score
255
Points
83
Hi all,

It has been a while since I have posted here. I am going to try to become more involved.

I have a quick (strange) question. I am going to be looking for a part time job soon to make money for college and to help fill up my time (don't have a lot going on now). Here is the question: what sort of part-time job would help prepare me for a career in EMS?

Now, I know that the obvious answer would be "Take the EMT-B class, test, and find work with some company." Here is the problem with that: I will be taking the class in college, where I will be part of an EMT club (Westfield State College in MA, if anyone was wondering). I will be taking the class out there because of the facts that it will gain me college credit, and I will be taking the class with the same people that I will be working with (the EMT club helps run EMS on the campus).

I was thinking about doing something in retail (such as Staples), as it is very people oriented. I am a karate instructor right now (also very people oriented), but I need to find a second job.

I want a job that will:
1) Help me improve upon (or gain) the skills needed for a career in EMS
2) Look good on a resume

Any suggestions? I know it is a strange question, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, and stay safe,
Eric
 
Lifeguard
Hospital employee
CPR/First aid instructor





But, EMT class isn't that hard if you actually try.
 
Well, it's not paid but: volunteering anywhere.
I'm getting in medical volunteering for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer and the Ride to Conquer Cancer events after my EMR is done.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Agree with Linuss, try to get some indirect patient care. Shoot for a hospital, try to work transport, try to shadow an MD for a while.

You dont list where you are from originally, but I presume somewhere in MA, and venture towards central or western, MA. Try to get involved in your local Fire/EMS department, most likely volunteer.

Also, look out for a PM coming from me...
 
Thanks for the responses

Thanks for all of the responses, guys!

@Linuss: I like your suggestions. I will be volunteering at a hospital soon (still waiting to hear back from them. There are some administrative changes going on right not, so everything is delayed. It is Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, if anyone is familiar with it) in the ED, if everything works out (which it should). So, I will be a hospital volunteer, but not a hospital employee. Also, I realize the EMT course isn't that hard. I know I won't have any trouble passing it. The reason I am waiting is so that I will be taking the class with co-workers, so we all know who we will be working with. Also, it will count as college credit, whereas something from outside of the college will not.

@nomofica: I like your suggestion as well. Like I mentioned above, I will be volunteering at a hospital sometime in the near future in the ED. Also, I will hopefully be volunteering with Mission of Deeds sometime soon as well.

@emt.dan: You're right, I didn't mention where I was from. Sorry about that. I am from Reading, which is close to Boston. Like I stated previously, I will be doing some volunteer work at a hospital soon. I will be working in the ED, so I will definitely be learning some things while working there. I think it will also look good on a resume. I have been involved in the FD here a little bit. I did an internship at my local PD (I originally wanted to be a cop, but I don't want everybody to hate me :glare::P), and I made some connections with the head dispatcher there. When I mentioned that I was interested in doing EMS, she offered to send me to the FD for some ride-alongs, which I did. I will be calling her soon to hopefully set up another one. I received your PM, and will be responding to it later today.

Thanks for the responses so far everybody! If anybody has any other advice, I would be glad to hear it.

Eric
 
Last edited by a moderator:
emt.dan said:
Shoot for a hospital, try to work transport, try to shadow an MD for a while.
Click to expand...

I read "shoot a hospital" and got a little worried for a second.



But hey, it will get you ready for the blood!




Good luck on the volunteering! I suggest getting your Provider level CPR ASAP.
 
I'm going to have to change jobs when I start my EMT class this summer (my work will not let me leave early to make it for the class). The advice I've been given is to try to land somewhere as a driver. I'm sure most of that work would be IFT, which is just fine with me. I figure if nothing else I can pick up on things. But, if that doesn't pan out, I'm going to try and do dispatch or maybe work at a call center that's always hiring (if working at a hospital doesn't pan out). I'm also volunteering with the local VFD.

Hope any of that helps... although I don't think I've said anything that no one else has said so maybe this post is useless. :)

Jon
 
medichopeful said:
I will be volunteering at a hospital soon (still waiting to hear back from them. There are some administrative changes going on right not, so everything is delayed. It is Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, if anyone is familiar with it) in the ED, if everything works out (which it should).
Click to expand...

Oh, the Mel-Wak! Power to you for wanting to work there. I was at the ER just last week.. You will grow to either love it or hate it, most likely the latter.
 
@Linuss: It would get me ready for the blood (though I don't really have any trouble with that), but it may cause some problems on the background check and during other parts of any EMS hiring process :P. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I will be trying to get my CPR soon. And hopefully, I will love EMS, not hate it :P

@JonTullos: That was a helpful post. True, some of the things you suggested had come up before, but it is always helpful to hear from as many people as possible. Also, I liked your suggestion of becoming a driver. However, the companies around here that I have looked at only hire EMTs. As I will not have my cert. until next year, that will not be an option. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

@emt.dan: Yeah, I am pretty excited about working at Mel-Wak. I have heard that it is a VERY busy ED, so I will be able to gain some good experience. I hope that I love it, and not the alternative! And by the way, I responded to your PM a little while ago.

Eric
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top