Any Oppo EMTs Out There?

"jkm7680" (jkm7680)
04/03/2016 at 21:58 • Filed to: None

I’m interested in becoming an EMT-B part time. Not necessarily to make more money, just to give back a bit.

If there are any EMTs/Paramedics out there, I have questions!

1. Is working part time really viable?

2. Biggest causers of stress for you personally?

3. How do you like it?

4. Is there anything I should know before pursuing it?

Thanks!

DISCUSSION (16)

f86sabre > jkm7680
04/03/2016 at 22:03

My sister is an EMT and paramedic. She loves it and has been doing it for years.

Birddog > jkm7680
04/03/2016 at 22:11

Reach out to Sampsonite24. I believe they’re an EMT in the Chicago area.

Absolutely a good career choice.

blacktruck18 > jkm7680
04/03/2016 at 22:22

I have never been an EMT but, I do have my certifacation and have had to do some stuff in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The schooling isn’t very hard. But, make sure you study. If you don’t pass the exam you will waste whatever money you spend for the classes.

I am sure this is obvious but, make sure you can handle seeing messed up people. Imagine the worst possible way a person can be messed up and seriously think about if you can do it. My uncle did the part time EMT thing for years until he had to treat a 3 year old burn victim after a car accident. My youngest cousin (his son) was 3 at the time, after that he quit. I guess that was a little too close to home.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > jkm7680
04/03/2016 at 22:39

1) part time is viable as long as the company you work for allows it.

2) honestly the biggest stressor is the pay. EMTs and paramedics are some of the most underpaid people in the medical field. People who transport organs make more than us and it doesn’t help that Illinois is worse than its surrounded states. (Edit: just saw the pay wasn’t as much of a concern to you so ignore this)

3) to me it’s a job. I work for a private company so it’s mostly hospital discharges and dialysis and doctors appointments. It’s not all car accidents and gun shots and 911 emergencies so it becomes mundane after a while. Especially when the majority of the people we transport could easily take an Uber.

4) do your research. Find out about companies in your area both private and public. Public being fire departments. Find out what the pay and hours are like. Frankly the only reason I haven’t quit is because I work 40 hours in 3 days so I have 4 days a week off to spend time with my son. That’s honestly the best part of my job. Also it helps if you’re not squeamish

Also if giving back is your reason for getting into this I’d recommend trying to find work as an ER Tech. They see a lot more of the good stuff and it actually makes you feel like you’re doing something with your license

Abject_Penitent > jkm7680
04/03/2016 at 22:48

I work as an EMT in Phoenix

1. As I hear it Phoenix pays on the low end and if you were looking to live off of part time that would not really be viable. If you are more looking to pick up shifts there is always shifts available. I know you said to give back but money is unfortunately something to always be a factor.

2. The biggest stress for me is the company itself. Things are pretty disorganized but the new ownership, AMR, should make things better. The biggest thing is having a good partner, it really makes all the difference.

3. Overall I very much like what I do but the pay is harsh to make a living on.

4. If it’s a private ambulance company then one thing to be aware of is interfacility transport. That’s like hospital to hospital and nursing facility to hospital and vice versa. Most seem to not know it exists but it is where everyone starts, at least in Phoenix. It’s not sexy like 911 but can be good experience. If it’s a government ambulance it should be straight to 911.

I primarily do general transport but have 911 experience. If you have anything else specific please feel free to ask.

jkm7680 > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
04/03/2016 at 22:50

Ah, I was hoping you’d chime in! Thanks for all the info!

I’d possibly be working for a public company if I were to, I’m not sure how flexible the local departments would be.

Being out on the field is something I’m looking for also, one of the reasons that becoming an EMT appealed to me. I sit on my ass in a building all day long, but love actually being out there.... I had planned on getting into law enforcement and at one point almost became a CBP officer. Only reason I didn’t go down that path is because I’d lose a bunch of friends and my grandfather would Have disowned me, heh.

Luckily I’m not squeamish though.

jkm7680 > Abject_Penitent
04/03/2016 at 22:53

Thanks for all the information!

Does it ever get boring working for a private company? As in volume or calls etc....

jkm7680 > blacktruck18
04/03/2016 at 23:04

Thanks for the insight!

I’m not a squeamish person, smells are sometimes tricky though...

blacktruck18 > jkm7680
04/03/2016 at 23:10

Sorry, I don’t have more info, just thought I would share what I do have.

Good luck with it.

Abject_Penitent > jkm7680
04/03/2016 at 23:13

I’m usually not bored, smart phones are a big help when nothing is going on. On a normal day we remain fairly busy and some down time is appreciated between calls. Both in IF and 911, public or private, there will be days that are non stop and run you into the ground, and then the next day you will be sitting around barely doing any calls.

jkm7680 > blacktruck18
04/03/2016 at 23:31

thanks for giving me what ya got!

jkm7680 > Abject_Penitent
04/03/2016 at 23:32

True, haha.

Also, I’m assuming you have teams of two? Do you switch of driving and riding in the back on a call by call basis?

Abject_Penitent > jkm7680
04/04/2016 at 00:48

Yeah two people, the possible combos being EMT and EMT, EMT and Medic, and EMT and RN. If it’s two E’s then I think most people just alternate daily (have not heard of switching between calls) or if each prefers the opposite then it works out. For instance, I work with another EMT normally and he prefers patient care and I prefer driving so it works out.

jkm7680 > Abject_Penitent
04/04/2016 at 07:40

Ah, ok. Sounds like a good system.

Out of curiosity, what kind of ambulance do you use?

Abject_Penitent > jkm7680
04/04/2016 at 15:12

Pretty much any 911 rig will be a newer big box, the brand varies but 911 gets the nice and new ones. Braun is pretty common out here.

Interfacility is a hot mess out here. PMT and Southwest have historically used the older boxes so you could get anything from a really nice one that’s fairly new to a twenty year old hunk of garbage. AMR, the new ownership, has always used vans and we are moving to those. It’s a combo of the older style AMR vans and now brand new Transit/Sprinter vans are working their way in.

jkm7680 > Abject_Penitent
04/04/2016 at 17:35

Ah, sounds good.

Locally, they use a lot of giant Freightliners. But the private ones are somewhat sketchy....