When were you...

[Tjfemt911]

When were you hired for your first EMT-B job? How long after getting your license. I'm kind of irritated and discouraged because I'm a new EMT-B with no experience and every place I apply wants "experienced" emts, HOWEVER, how are we supposed to get any experience if nobody will hire us? :huh:<_<

 

[Shishkabob]

The week before I got my state cert.





Just keep at it. Persistence.

 

[imurphy]

I don't know what the job market in MI is like, but in MA a lot of companies are hiring. Like Linuss said, just be persistent. Email companies, and call them after a few days, and you should be set in no time.

Good luck

 

[MedicSqrl]

There are jobs even if it say not hiring. Everyone is looking for a good persistent EMT, they just don't know it yet.

 

[Pittsburgh77]

I didn't apply anywhere untill I went away for my first semester of shool.
But it was a year and a half before I applied.

I think the fact I was running QRS at a busy fire company really helped.

Just keep your head up.

 

[terrible one]

welcome to a crappy economy.

 

[alphatrauma]

I don't think her problem is persistence or the economy... it's experience.

How does one get experience, if no one will hire without it? I really wish I had an answer for you... other than possibly relocating to work for an employer that will take on a green EMT.

 

[MedicSqrl]

A lot of people I know that apply for the FD had to submit applications around the whole state. They just hope someone local gets them first or they usually move. I have a friend to commutes due to a lease, but other than that you just need to be flexible.

 

[Marty Mcfly]

it took me 2 years. then again the state im in is overloaded with ems personnel

 

[MedicSqrl]

Ever since the recession and all these "medic mills" keep advertising, its been a really tough time for FF. A yr ago a medic had his pick of the litter. Now its a wasteland of 3 spots for ever 500 applicants.

 

[Seaglass]

I don't think her problem is persistence or the economy... it's experience.

How does one get experience, if no one will hire without it? I really wish I had an answer for you... other than possibly relocating to work for an employer that will take on a green EMT.

Volunteering. I don't know anyone who's gotten hired without it or personal connections to someone at the company, in my area.

(Edit: it was a month or so after testing for me, but I started volunteering while still a student. Found a place that let me do it with just a CPR/first aid cert.)

 

[Lifeguards For Life]

I was hired before I was enrolled in Basic class.

 

[imurphy]

Volunteering. I don't know anyone who's gotten hired without it or personal connections to someone at the company, in my area.

(Edit: it was a month or so after testing for me, but I started volunteering while still a student. Found a place that let me do it with just a CPR/first aid cert.)

We've had a number of brand new, ink wet EMTs with no experience in my service. They're mainly on IFT for the first few months tho.

 

[b2dragun]

I have not yet seeked employment as an EMT but here is a suggestion. I know it is true out here in Vegas. Look into any place that has/does security, alot of the casinos and hotels here hire security with emt-b certs. That might be a way to get some experience, and out here it pays better too.

 

[WuLabsWuTecH]

Ever since the recession and all these "medic mills" keep advertising, its been a really tough time for FF. A yr ago a medic had his pick of the litter. Now its a wasteland of 3 spots for ever 500 applicants.

Agreed. Back 2 years ago I had 3 offers before I was out of basic school. I was hired to work as a third rider the day after I took the exam (and would have been hired sooner except the CEO stepped in b/c he didn't want students having to worry about work before their exam). They started training that day and as soon as my score posted I was on a 2 man truck. This was back in the day when they had 2 or 3 trucks sitting in the garage b/c there were not enough people to fill them. Today, it's a lot harder to find a spot to work. I'm looking for a new job again, and it was no where as easy as it was 2 years ago.

One of the best pieces of advice my EMS Instructor gave me was to take the first job offer that you get. You cannot be too good for a job. If you're doing IFT's all day, do that. I did IFT's for a month before I touched anything else. Then I did a combo of IFT's and 911 for a year before I got onto where I am now with 911 only calls.

Stick with it, and be humble.

 

[JCampbell]

The economy around here must be awesome...not only is it easy to get hired, but it's hard to get fired too.

 

[iamjeff171]

where i live the best way to get hired is to get your paramedic (since none of the local services hire basics...)

 

[Jeffrey_169]

The best way I know is to volunteer. Is there a local Rescue Squad, fire station, S&R, etc. nearby to you?

 

[Tjfemt911]

The best way I know is to volunteer. Is there a local Rescue Squad, fire station, S&R, etc. nearby to you?

No, the only volunteer opportunity that is semi close is the triage desk at a local hospital.. :glare: I had my first shift tonight...

 

[LNL07]

I was hired before I was enrolled in Basic class.

How can you get hired before you even enroll in your class?