EMT/Cop (Chicago: daycare, home, find a job)

[stephmj]

How hard is it to find a job as an emt-b? My boyfriend is having trouble finding work and I wondered if it's just the Chicago suburbs or all over. He is thinking of either continuing on as a paramedic or switching over and becoming a cop. The only thing that scares him is passing the physical part of the exam. He said you have to bench your weight. Is this true everywhere?

Which career is easier to find a job and support a family? I'm currently a nurse but when we get married and have kids, I will stay home with them. I may do a home daycare if we need a little extra cash but I will no longer be the bread winner. We are also planning on moving down south and living in a more rural area.

Thanks

[sgresident]

Not sure how difficult it is to find the emt position. I know that a lot of fire districts are growing in the far western suburbs(the forty to fifty miles west) of the chicago. As far as police jobs, any community over 5000 in population, has to have a police pension board. they do testing etc and set up employment lists. It is all pretty regulated. you might be able to find some info online for the community you are interested in.

[middle-aged mom]

There is a difference between an EMT-B and a paramedic in terms of education and practice.

Basic EMTs usually receive 120 - 150 hours of training, while paramedics get anywhere from 1,200 hours to 1,800 hours of training.

Paramedic programs often award two-year degrees and the degree is increasingly the minimum qualification for most positions. The same goes for Police and Firefighters.

EMT-B certification may qualify him for an entry level position in an ER. The salary however, is unlikely to be conducive to supporting a family. It may however, qualify him for tuition reimbursement, should he want to become a paramedic.

[stephmj]

I know there's a difference between B and Paramedic. He is trying to figure out which career will be easier to find jobs in and which will be better for a family. As of right now he's still planning on staying in school to be the paramedic but said that he'd become a cop if it seemed more realistic.

[jeepgrl015]

Originally Posted by stephmj

How hard is it to find a job as an emt-b? My boyfriend is having trouble finding work and I wondered if it's just the Chicago suburbs or all over. He is thinking of either continuing on as a paramedic or switching over and becoming a cop. The only thing that scares him is passing the physical part of the exam. He said you have to bench your weight. Is this true everywhere?

Which career is easier to find a job and support a family? I'm currently a nurse but when we get married and have kids, I will stay home with them. I may do a home daycare if we need a little extra cash but I will no longer be the bread winner. We are also planning on moving down south and living in a more rural area.

Thanks

Well, I am currently a medical assistant in the ER of a suburban hospital and I would have to say that your boyfriends chances of becoming a cop are more likely than an EMT. The pay is MUCH better and there are far more jobs than for an EMT.
www.theblueline.com is a fabulous website that my ex used to go on religiously. I sat there for many of his tests and yes it is true for ALL police exams that you have to bench 98.2% of your body weight. I would NOT let that part deter hiim from doing what he wants to do. However, being a cop from a paramedic is a change and I hope hes prepared for what he needs to deal with as a cop.
I would have your boyfriend go to this website and start applying. The city of chicago is still on a hiring freeze, but the suburbs are booming with jobs! The benefits for a cop are phenomenal and the pay usually starting is great. That website above automatically gives you the base salary and it usually ranges from 30-45k.

Hope this was helpful and good luck!