Will I ever work in EMS again?

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GcsEMT

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Hi all. I'm a 24 year old EMT with a serious problem: I can't control my drinking.

From age 16, I've been abnormal with alcohol. I drank into blackouts regularly. I worked as an EMT for a few months, and though never drunk on the job, my drinking caused me to quit the job.

Here's the thing: It was the best job I've ever had. I wasn't particularly good at it, but I worked hard, did my best, and enjoyed it immensely. The bottle cut it short like it cuts everything short.

3 months ago I was driving intoxicated when I hit a pedestrian and was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and DUI. Thank the lord the individual that I hit wasn't hurt. Anyway, at that moment I threw my hands up and surrendered. I couldn't do it anymore. I was so sick. I called my mom from jail and told her "You were right. I'll go to rehab." I was booked and released, went to rehab a few days later, then did some jail time. I've been sober ever since. I work a program of recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous and my sobriety is my top priority.

Anyway, this all leads me to my question. Is my EMS career over forever? Right now I'm working at alternative career paths. After a failure in learning machining, I'm looking at such career paths as accounting, finance, welding, etc. But I know that one day, sometime down the road, I'll want to make a return to EMS. Maybe 5, 10, even 15 years from now. The question is, is it even possible?

Thank you for reading.
 
I think you are doing the right thing by looking at alternate career paths.

Congrats on staying sober. Stick with it.
 
Stay sober.

This job isn't for you.

It will drive you further into the bottle.

At first it seems like some saving grace, but once you're in deep it will poison you. Trust me.
 
Stay the **** away bro.
 
What were convicted of?

You have to find another career. I would definitely say you have no chance of working as an EMT anytime soon, but if it meens a lot to you I wouldn't say never again, at least right at this moment. But remeber, EMS is a job, that's all, and not a great paying one. Is it a battle worth fighting? Yu could make more money as an electrician.

People make mistakes, and people recover, and people become better because of those mistakes. The more time between you and your mistakes the easier it is for an employer to accept them as history. That being said, your mistake is a doozy and felonies are hard to recover from 100%. Depending on your conviction I would not give up all hope.
 
Right now, your only mission in life is to stay sober. Come hell or high water, sobriety is the only thing that you should be concerned with; not work, not romantic relationships, not cars, not money. This is a big slice of humble pie that you have on your plate, and you ideally should ask for seconds. You want a sponsor that is bordering on practicing proctology; them being up your rear is what holds you accountable. Daily Meetings are important (it's like festivus every day). Even if you have issues with the spirituality of one group, try 5 other groups until you find the one that works best for you.

I have plenty of co-workers who are in recovery, and they do fine, as long as they have safeguards in place and they have someone who can hold them to the coals, and are upfront with their leadership that this is your past and although it is one day at a time, you are presently sober. I think that a paramedic or EMT in recovery is one of the best partners to have. They often understand where patients are coming from when they are in the throes of chemical dependency and are great advocates for them because they have been there. You will need to let your criminal record chill for awhile, but thats a great timeline to get your entire self healthy and ready.

If EMS isn't going to be your path, which is fine, think about working in Chem Dep once you are comfortable with your sobriety; you have a lot to teach. The best CD counselors (and the only ones who can actually speak legitimately about it) are addicts themselves. Do not be shamed by it. Own it. Live it.
 
To answer the OP's question, yes, it's possible for you to return to EMS. I'm not saying you should or shouldn't, just that it's possible. There are employers who, right or wrong, hire applicants who have DUI convictions.
 
mgr22 said:
To answer the OP's question, yes, it's possible for you to return to EMS. I'm not saying you should or shouldn't, just that it's possible. There are employers who, right or wrong, hire applicants who have DUI convictions.
Click to expand...

Well from the sounds of it, it's a lot more than just a DUI which can usually be looked past after a certain amount of years. He hit a human being while drunk and served time. Tad bit more complicated.
 
What you need to do is call the EMS office in your state and ask them if it possible to obtain a paramedic license even after you have been convicted of a felony. Probably this varies from state to state. I am not sure even what the law is in California.
If your state does allow this, then yes I think you should pursue your goal. You will not be able to get an EMT job for a few years most likely because most EMS agencies won't hire you if you have a DUI on your record. This is due to insurance issues. For my service, you need 3 years before you can be hired. Good luck in your future and I hope you are able to accomplish your dream.
 
Minimum 10 years before applying in CA. However, I'd look for another job/career.
 
Yes , that DUI hurts.
if you did loose your state cert, I would go back and just apply for NREMT. See if NREMT will take allow you to test... and if so, apply for your state. NREMT and your state , have a very clear document stating what qualifies you and what disqualifies you over what period of time.

I have made a very generous about of bad decisions in my life. I have work so hard just to be where I am at today.. the thought of risking my" way of life" seems so ridiculous. I think spending some time just living...setting a positive pattern, be happy, work the steps, take the biology class at the college. AA makes people , better people! Some of best men and women I know, I know form AA. It's all about service to others!

I love my job, and I could not imagine doing anything else. In it for the money! If this is what you really want to do, and you know it...do it...follow your heart. do the research! nothing is impossible. Time, education amd positive job reference ,are on your side when putting the past behind you.



I agree with "west metro medic". I also appreciate what was said.
 
Based on the requirements in my area, no you would never get into EMS here with that history. You would become a liability to whichever company decided to hire you because of your criminal record but also because your pre-existing issue with alcoholism.
 
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