What would you do in my position?

As others have stated, theres a huge liability factor. With volunteer services you are still covered if you get hurt. As a new EMT-B I would find out what exactly they want you to do, if your covered in case of an accident (well, the guy that puked on you claims to have HEP A,B,C,D,E,F AIDS, and TB unfortunately your not covered under our insurance. So I suggest you go see a doctor and get tested. Also the guy is filing a suit against you because you failed to accurately read his BP and didnt realise he was going into shock. Fortunately the receiving hospital was able to artifically raise his BP, control the internal hemorrahge and stabilse him. Again your not employed by us so we cant vouch for your actions or provide any legal advice, best of luck to you. Also we wont provide any information in court about how you used our equipment that was not properlly checked out and could have quite possibly been malfunctioning.) Its an extreme example but, are you willing to risk it if the company says they wont cover you? Then again if they say your insured and covered in the case of legal actions then go for it.
 
Focallength said:
As others have stated, theres a huge liability factor. With volunteer services you are still covered if you get hurt. As a new EMT-B I would find out what exactly they want you to do, if your covered in case of an accident (well, the guy that puked on you claims to have HEP A,B,C,D,E,F AIDS, and TB unfortunately your not covered under our insurance. So I suggest you go see a doctor and get tested. Also the guy is filing a suit against you because you failed to accurately read his BP and didnt realise he was going into shock. Fortunately the receiving hospital was able to artifically raise his BP, control the internal hemorrahge and stabilse him. Again your not employed by us so we cant vouch for your actions or provide any legal advice, best of luck to you. Also we wont provide any information in court about how you used our equipment that was not properlly checked out and could have quite possibly been malfunctioning.) Its an extreme example but, are you willing to risk it if the company says they wont cover you? Then again if they say your insured and covered in the case of legal actions then go for it.
Click to expand...

Great point. They actually had me sign paperwork for the ride along when I was filling out my application saying that in the event of any of this, the company will not be held liable.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jtpaintball70 said:
Not to make this a volly/professional debate, but a lot of us here are not fans of volunteer services (me included). That's an attitude you'll see here a lot
Click to expand...

There are differences of opinion. See the many threads on the subject.

But if you're a volunteer, that's what you signed up for. And you're still insured and, at least where I am, covered by workman's comp, and for workplace injuries and the like.

If a for-profit, paid company wants you to ride on their rig, they should pay you and cover you as an employee. I've already said I wouldn't do it, though, so it's up to you.
 
brochocinco , San Diego got DOT, check with them to see if the company can even legally put on your on a rig without covering your with insurance, worker comp etc. I never dealt with them so i have no idea
 
The only way I would do it if I wasnt covered was if I was strictly an observer. Even then I would check with my insurance co. to make sure Im covered if I get in a accident while riding in the rig. Its actually quite irresponsible to ask a person to risk not only their career but their own health and well being without insuring them. But its ultimately up to you, would I do it? Its a hard question to ask, if I was unemployed and was hard up for work, maybe. But Id also have to ask is this the kind of company I want to work for? Hvae you done a physical/agility test? Drug screening? patient assesment? interview? If you have gone through all of that and their is a strong posiblilty they want to hire you based upon your tests and interview then it would be easier to justify. If you just applied and havent done anything with the company, then it would be a deal breaker for me. Most companies spend weeks training their probies befor even letting them go out on calls.
 
Don't go, with that waiver.

And a medical director is what you get after the first lawsuit sinks your first company.
Ther are national companies who will provide "medical direction", don't even have to be in your vicinity.
But don't do it.
 
do you want to work for this company?

if yes then do it. if not then don't.

personally it sounds like a company that I don't want to work at. the company I work for put me through 80 hours of classroom training before sticking me with a field training officer for 3 shifts. my county card is all I need to prove I have the skills to be an emt, but they wanted to teach me how to work for them, and paid me for my time. anything else seems lazy and I don't want to work for a lazy company. the hiring/interview process is a two way street it's not you showing them you are a good choice it's also their time to show you what kind of company they are. if they trying to use you now, or disrespect you, they use you and disrespect you later.

do you want to work for this company? then do the ridealongs.
 
mycrofft said:
And a medical director is what you get after the first lawsuit sinks your first company.
Ther are national companies who will provide "medical direction", don't even have to be in your vicinity.
But don't do it.
Click to expand...

Maybe in other states but not in California. I do not have one, have no need for one and no one requires it. My insurance company do not require it and i am insured up to my ***. In California BLS can't really do anything which is reason why no need for medical director. This is true for many of IFT companys, and might be true for the company op is talking about if they are not currently doing advance life support.
 
looker said:
Maybe in other states but not in California. I do not have one, have no need for one and no one requires it. My insurance company do not require it and i am insured up to my ***. In California BLS can't really do anything which is reason why no need for medical director. This is true for many of IFT companys, and might be true for the company op is talking about if they are not currently doing advance life support.
Click to expand...

Are you self-insured? Do you have an insurance policy for professional malpractice?
 
Well guess its a good thing I didnt go. Had an interview this week and got on with another company.
 
Congrats, which company?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top