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About Jim Wilson
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding training, education, and experiences as well as providing some incite into the world of Emergency Medical Services.
Experience
I have over 25 years of experience in EMS, Fire, and Air Transport.
Organizations
AHA Professional Premium Professional
Education/Credentials
BS, AS, EMT-P, ACLS (and instructor), BLS (and instructor), PALS (and instructor), PPC (and instructor), BTLS (and instructor), PHTLS, and NALS. Have instructed EMT and Paramedic in Florida since 1986.
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > First Aid/Emergency Medicine > Careers: EMT/Emergency Medical Technicians > Work places
Expert: Jim Wilson - 11/2/2009
Question
I am considering becoming an EMT but i am curious about the difference in working situations. What are the differences between working for the fire department, hospital, and a private ambulance service? Also what are the hours like?
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer this question I appreciate it.
Answer
Hi Amy,
Good question....there are VAST differences. And those differences can really make a difference as to whether or not you truly enjoy your job.
Fire Department and EMS EMT's and Paramedics basically work 24 hours on and 48 hours off. It is a wonderful shift that I thoroughly enjoyed for 23+ years before accepting a promotion and I honestly miss those hours. The only pitfall is working birthdays, holidays, and weekends. The FD and EMS work environment is really similar in that you basically come into work, check out the equipment after getting a report from the off-going personnel, replace items as needed and report in to the supervisor, respond to calls, document those responses, re-stock, eat, rest, watch TV, attend training sessions, and clean up after yourself in order to turn the apparatus and the station on to the next shift. While it might sound a little repetitive this could not be further from the truth. Each call offers unique challenges and opportunities to test your skills, knowledge, and abilities. While most calls are routine in nature you will, in the course of a career, respond to some REALLY interesting situations.
As for the hospital technician, depending on the facility they are quite often not used to the full capasity of their training. Some Emergency Rooms have come to utilize EMTs to draw blood, perform 12 Lead EKGs, and truly assist in patient care mode. Many use the EMTs to do literally everything the nurses simply do not want to do. Harsh truth but none the less; better to become a nurse or a PA if you plan on working in the ER. I worked for a hospital based EMS service and I know how we were used (abused) and the world of the ER is, as the saying goes, "a nice place to visit but I would not want to work there full time".
Private EMS agencies often work "System Status Management". That is, they have more units on duty when there are more calls per their stats. The hours are often long and the pay is often less than FD personnel. They also often contract to perform non-emergency transports which means lots of calls in your 12 or 16 hour shift most of whom came from a nursing home going to the ER for something routine or vice-versa after treatment. Private EMS is a business and as such there are often limitations as to what benefits you might receive and how much job security you might have. Locally the turnover rate for the privates that handle the non-emergent calls is about 60% according to one of their managers. Basically he stated "three types work for me right now; those who are new and are trying to get experience, those who are working here part time as a second job, and those who have burned all of their bridges in EMS everywhere else". This manager is a Shift Supervisor for a MAJOR national company by the way.
So...
It all depends on you Amy. I would urge that you think about the things I stated above and look into your own heart as to just what YOU want to do. For me, working part time at the private and full time at the FD was an awesome way to make a living. The part time employees make more money by the way because they don't cost the company in benefits.
I sincerely hope that this somewhat long post helps you out at least a little. Good luck!!!!
Jim Wilson
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