It seems that there are at least a few EMTs in the forum, so I was hoping maybe you could help me with a couple of answers to a couple of questions I have (I think one is even on-topic!).
Firstly, I'm in my mid-twenties and looking for a career change. I really would like to get EMT training and pursue that field. Does anyone have any schooling recomendations (I'm in the Portland Oregon area)? I'm considering heading back to school in the spring, so any tips would VERY useful.
Also, how demanding are your work hours (in general)? I do volunteer work and would like to be able to continue having SOME time for that, so I'm hoping to avoid any job change that requires 70/80 hour work weeks.
Lastly, as Spyder-fans, which knife (or knives) do you carry and use the most?
REX
Question for any EMTs out there (semi-OT)
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A Rex,
My info may be old but many Community Colleges offer the basic 84 hour EMT-1/EMT-1A course needed as a prerequisite to take the local/state testing that leads to national certification (NREMT). The course used to require 8 - 12 hours duty with a local ER or ambulance service in addition to your class work. Classes are usually 1 day per week allowing plenty of time for volunteer work or other pursuits. If you are a member of an LE or FD organization, they can help with the basic (it may even be a requirement to advance at some FDs) and open doors to local/regional advanced training to the EMT-P or ParaMedic skill level. After initial certifications are completed, there are yearly continuing education courses you must take as well as refresher classes and requalification testing to ensure you remain current with skills and knowledge.
Working conditions vary depending on whether you work for an LE or Fire department, Emergency Room, Ambulance service, or some form of local medical caregiver. As a Med Tech working in local emergency rooms, I usually worked an 8 -12 hour shift normally 5 days per week. My ER duty included the occasional ambulance run but most of my work was the controlled frenzy of the ER. The EMT function is now a smaller part of my tasking as Incident Commander for a semiconductor manufacturing plant.
I currently carry the G-10 Rookie and use it for everything. I used to carry either an old orange or black FRN Rescue for EMT duty. I have also carried Leatherman and Gerber multitools but have become a Gerber man due to their one-handed ease of opening and locking blades. When I do my volunteer work now, in addition to the Rookie and my trusty old Gerber 600, I carry the best Rescue knive there is - the Blue 93mm VG10 Rescue.
Hope this helps a little. Best of luck in your career change and never stop learning! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
<b><font color="blue">"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" <i>-Javanese proverb</i></font></b>
My info may be old but many Community Colleges offer the basic 84 hour EMT-1/EMT-1A course needed as a prerequisite to take the local/state testing that leads to national certification (NREMT). The course used to require 8 - 12 hours duty with a local ER or ambulance service in addition to your class work. Classes are usually 1 day per week allowing plenty of time for volunteer work or other pursuits. If you are a member of an LE or FD organization, they can help with the basic (it may even be a requirement to advance at some FDs) and open doors to local/regional advanced training to the EMT-P or ParaMedic skill level. After initial certifications are completed, there are yearly continuing education courses you must take as well as refresher classes and requalification testing to ensure you remain current with skills and knowledge.
Working conditions vary depending on whether you work for an LE or Fire department, Emergency Room, Ambulance service, or some form of local medical caregiver. As a Med Tech working in local emergency rooms, I usually worked an 8 -12 hour shift normally 5 days per week. My ER duty included the occasional ambulance run but most of my work was the controlled frenzy of the ER. The EMT function is now a smaller part of my tasking as Incident Commander for a semiconductor manufacturing plant.
I currently carry the G-10 Rookie and use it for everything. I used to carry either an old orange or black FRN Rescue for EMT duty. I have also carried Leatherman and Gerber multitools but have become a Gerber man due to their one-handed ease of opening and locking blades. When I do my volunteer work now, in addition to the Rookie and my trusty old Gerber 600, I carry the best Rescue knive there is - the Blue 93mm VG10 Rescue.
Hope this helps a little. Best of luck in your career change and never stop learning! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
<b><font color="blue">"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" <i>-Javanese proverb</i></font></b>
Since you're considering going back to school, you may want to consider a paramedic degree. A much higher level of training with a corresponding paycheck too hopefully.
Depending on where you are, paramedics can be required to do anywhere between 700 and 1800 hours of training. Here in Mass. it's around I believe 1,400 hours plus clinical rotations. Naturally, the degree program would add something to that.
Personally, I've been an EMT for over $25 years and never made a dime from it! I'm an LEO and a DRE and the training definitely comes in handy at times.
I carry a Police on duty every day and currently a Li'l Temperance off-duty.
Best of luck!
Ben
Ben
Depending on where you are, paramedics can be required to do anywhere between 700 and 1800 hours of training. Here in Mass. it's around I believe 1,400 hours plus clinical rotations. Naturally, the degree program would add something to that.
Personally, I've been an EMT for over $25 years and never made a dime from it! I'm an LEO and a DRE and the training definitely comes in handy at times.
I carry a Police on duty every day and currently a Li'l Temperance off-duty.
Best of luck!
Ben
Ben
Thanks for the input, I was considering pursing an Associates Degree as a Paramedic, and no, it doesn't seem to be an extremely lucrative job in terms of pay, but it allows you to help people in a very direct way--which appeals to me.
Here's another question--kind of a long one, and I haven't had any real college time, so forgive me if this is obvious, but if I were to get a degree as a Paramedic after the two years of schooling, would that education help me to get work in other fields of health care as well, and/or count towards even further education?
In other words, if I woke up one day and decided to go to medical school, would the two years spent training as a Paramedic count towards that at all? Or would I have to start over with a four-year school and pre-med studies before considering that?
Or slightly less ambitious: Would a Paramedic's degree act as a "springboard" to other work if I ever needed a better paying job? Or would you need to start from scratch and aquire a new skill set?
Thanks again for the feedback--any and all comments are very appreciated as I try to make education/career change choices that will put me in a job that's both satisfying and versitile. I just hope that's possible<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
REX
Here's another question--kind of a long one, and I haven't had any real college time, so forgive me if this is obvious, but if I were to get a degree as a Paramedic after the two years of schooling, would that education help me to get work in other fields of health care as well, and/or count towards even further education?
In other words, if I woke up one day and decided to go to medical school, would the two years spent training as a Paramedic count towards that at all? Or would I have to start over with a four-year school and pre-med studies before considering that?
Or slightly less ambitious: Would a Paramedic's degree act as a "springboard" to other work if I ever needed a better paying job? Or would you need to start from scratch and aquire a new skill set?
Thanks again for the feedback--any and all comments are very appreciated as I try to make education/career change choices that will put me in a job that's both satisfying and versitile. I just hope that's possible<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
REX
Well, I'll bet I get some disagreement on this but here goes. 1st of all OHSU has an outstanding paramedic program, not sure if they do the EMT portion though. OHSU sends a handful of their students to Denver every year for their field internship (generally 500 hrs) and it seems that the program up there is tight. Not to mention working with a few people who went through their program. I think it is one of the best in the country. Second, your idealism about helping people is great and I'm sure most of us felt the same way at first. Now, things are different, I keep up my EMT-P cert so I can drive around, look at girls and have fun with my partners. I tolerate the medicine aspect because I love the streets. Don't get me wrong, I am paid very well and love my job but it is not what you think it is. If ya can try to score some 3rd rides with an agency in your area so you can get an idea for the kinds of things you will see on the job. I love it, but not for the reasons you might think. I can't speak for the ER side of the job but have spent enough time in them to feel the street, although it's not touching lives like people think, is the best bet. I wish you luck.
Jeff
Jeff