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My educational background is in Physiology, Anatomy, and the Health Sciences. I have been looking at getting training as an EMT or possibly a Paramedic. I know the pay is crap, but I think this job could be a good fit for me in my situation.
The question is, how is the job field now in this area? From what I grasp, there are cut backs in Medicare in a lot of areas. Is this true for EMS as well? I'm also aware that in some places it's only volunteer. Well that can't work for me. If I'm getting paid peanuts that's fine I guess, but I need at least peanuts.
In my experience, very few depts hire full time EMTs. They hire paramedics or dual trained firefighter/emts, but rarely just EMTs.
Private ambulance companies hire lots of EMTs.
Volunteer Fire Depts obviously use a lot of EMTs. Most pay by the run or something like that, but the amount is generally not considerable. Some vollies make pretty decent money because they run a lot of shifts, but it is not something you are going to want to live off of.
A realistic option is to work for an ambulance service to get paid, volunteer at a local FD to get some trauma experience, and then see from there what you want to to, decide if you want to continue your EMS education, etc.
In my experience, very few depts hire full time EMTs. They hire paramedics or dual trained firefighter/emts, but rarely just EMTs.
Private ambulance companies hire lots of EMTs.
Volunteer Fire Depts obviously use a lot of EMTs. Most pay by the run or something like that, but the amount is generally not considerable. Some vollies make pretty decent money because they run a lot of shifts, but it is not something you are going to want to live off of.
A realistic option is to work for an ambulance service to get paid, volunteer at a local FD to get some trauma experience, and then see from there what you want to to, decide if you want to continue your EMS education, etc.
So Paramedic would be a better option? Do you know if any partial "on-line" classes exist or accelerated programs?
In my experience, very few depts hire full time EMTs. They hire paramedics or dual trained firefighter/emts, but rarely just EMTs.
Private ambulance companies hire lots of EMTs.
Volunteer Fire Depts obviously use a lot of EMTs. Most pay by the run or something like that, but the amount is generally not considerable. Some vollies make pretty decent money because they run a lot of shifts, but it is not something you are going to want to live off of.
A realistic option is to work for an ambulance service to get paid, volunteer at a local FD to get some trauma experience, and then see from there what you want to to, decide if you want to continue your EMS education, etc.
Joe do you know of any way to get some of the educational info cheaply (or free) so I can start learning this information? EMT or Paramedic. Maybe old editions to textbooks. whatever.
I think they both have a large, in-person clinical component more than book or online learning. That said, the training for paramedic is quite a lot longer and more intensive- I think a very solid intense year. I think EMT is something like 14 weeks. Maybe one could get an EMT and get some kind of job and have tuition reimbursement or some sort of support or credit for becoming a paramedic.
I know a guy who was an EMT and could not get a job. He said that here the Fire Dept responds first as there are more fire stations than ambulances. So you have to be a fireman first and w/o connections he could not get hired.
He then took paramedic training at a college but they discouraged him as they didn't think he had good enough skills. He had to go on a LOT of runs with the ambulances doing basic life supper skills.
He is now doing quite well as a junior at the university studying math. Not a stupid kid by any means!
I think they both have a large, in-person clinical component more than book or online learning. That said, the training for paramedic is quite a lot longer and more intensive- I think a very solid intense year. I think EMT is something like 14 weeks. Maybe one could get an EMT and get some kind of job and have tuition reimbursement or some sort of support or credit for becoming a paramedic.
Thank you for the advise. I just bought a book. Can't start EMT classes until May (3 mth program), but I can take some time and study to get ahead and engrave the rote info in my brain. Maybe I could get someone to help with education to go onto Paramedic later on.
So Paramedic would be a better option? Do you know if any partial "on-line" classes exist or accelerated programs?
Thanks for the insight.
It may vary somewhat, but Paramedic takes about 3-4 years in my state. EMT-B takes about 15 weeks, but you need at least a year of volunteer/paid work as an EMT-B to enter the EMT-I or Paramedic program. Paramedic is then an additional 2 years.
I know a guy who was an EMT and could not get a job. He said that here the Fire Dept responds first as there are more fire stations than ambulances. So you have to be a fireman first and w/o connections he could not get hired.
He then took paramedic training at a college but they discouraged him as they didn't think he had good enough skills. He had to go on a LOT of runs with the ambulances doing basic life supper skills.
He is now doing quite well as a junior at the university studying math. Not a stupid kid by any means!
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Thanks. As far as I'm concerned, I've found a brick wall in just about every where I have turned. This economy is awful and in a huge bubble, and it looks like a potential War with Iran is brewing. So Emergency Medicine it is I guess. At least I'll have a hands-on unique skill that is valuable. Looks like I'll be sleeping in the Van homeless waiting for my volunteer shift.
It may vary somewhat, but Paramedic takes about 3-4 years in my state. EMT-B takes about 15 weeks, but you need at least a year of volunteer/paid work as an EMT-B to enter the EMT-I or Paramedic program. Paramedic is then an additional 2 years.
3-4 years? That must be from a General college or university.
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