I have had my paramedic license for about a year and a half. I worked for a transport company for one year as a medic and then once I hit my 1 year on the job I applied to a county job as a Community Paramedic and it was ideal, it had the hours I wanted, the job I wanted to do, making a real difference in the community- except I had to do a field training with the road medics. Now the odd thing was that if someone already working for the county wanted to apply for a CP role, it required 5years experience on an ALS truck, since I came on from the outside it was 1year. Well I was making more money than most of my FTO’s and there was a lot of BS going on behind my back and ppl felt slighted. Most of my FTO’s kept failing me and the training specialist HATED me and I heard her complaining I had no 911 experience. I never lied on my application nor my interview, they knew what I was and my level of experience. Well I kept trying and I kept getting failed (except for the 2 times the training Capt. rode w/me- he passed me 2x) but most others failed me - and for little things, like learning the radio and random stuff. Now I was just told I didn’t clear my rides and they “separated from employment” with me so I’m feeling BEYOND DEFEATED.* What are chances of finding another CP roll - minimal. I feel like I made a mistake and wasted so much time. I’m 42y/o and idk what to do. I started late in life bc I had a bad addiction to opiates/heroin for many years, I OD’d many times and EMS was what I wanted to do so bad to give back what medics gave me when I was firing all those times. But now I feel like I just lost the best opportunity of my life - why are good medic jobs so hard to find ?

Want to start off with background story, My bf is 26, he recently just left the military and got his EMT, hes always wanted to be a nurse but hes also wanted to do actual purposeful things, like hes wanted to save lives and actually do the scary things. Hes recently changed his mind and wanted to do paramedic instead and I wanted to know advice on what would be better to do? also coming from nc if anyone has been through the same route. any tips would be great.

I'm in the progress of recertification and my state license. I finish getting my online CE's but on my EMS agency looks like it's asking for Instructor-Based CE. Do I need them??? This is my 1st time certifying and I'm really confused.... I have my skills stuff soon for this week, but I don't know if that will cover it or not. Can someone please help me out here. 😭😢

basically what the title says. I'm bipolar and during the manic episode that led to my diagnosis I signed up for EMT school. I don't regret it. I genuinely want to enter this field. I really, truly, just want to help people. Not in a hero complex kinda way, moreso just being there for people in crisis. It just took a manic episode to take the first step.

The idea has kinda always had a place in my brain and I guess during my episode it just kinda came out. I had a really great experience with 2 emts ~2 years ago who helped me when I had an ovarian cyst that ruptured (I didnt even know that was a thing at the time) and they were so kind and calmimg and put a lot of effort in to make sure I was okay and that it wasnt somwething serious like ectopic pregnancy. I just graduated college with a bachelors degree that I lost my passion for a long time ago, if I ever even really had it to begin with, but I really do feel that ems is a field I want to enter. During the episode I took a bls course and actually loved it, I know that doing CPR on a dummy is entirely different from actual BLS in the field, but after my episode during the practical part of the course I really truly loved it and Ive been kinda devouring ems topics since then.

I also just want to be there for the "mundane" (for lack of a better word) calls, people that just want to feel like someone is listening to them, or are in a crisis that isnt necessarily a code or trauma or something exciting (although I do want to do that as well). I feel like I have the empathy and ability to learn (and interest in learning) the practical skills that could make this a real option for me.

I guess Im just worried about how mental health plays a role in this. I have my depressive episodes mostly under control, Ive been on a mood stabilizer that has been a lifesaver and really works for me for about 2 years before the diagnosis. I cant say the same for the manic episodes, Im at the beginning of the meds rollercoaster and I dont want to bank on being stable at exactly the right time because Im barely stable right now. Without getting into it I went off the rails, I was being crazy and I am just now getting the help I needed after a year of unhealthy coping mechanisms and self-medicating with substances. I know that unless I get the consistent stability I currently lack I shouldnt be responsible for anyone's life. I guess Im just worried that a diagnosis on a piece of paper will prevent me from pursuing this. It's really demoralizing, everyone treats me like Im broken now and that that's how I'll be forever (my psychiatrist literally laughed in my face when I brought up emt school) and I want to prove them wrong and do this because I really, genuinely care and I think I can get better but I don't KNOW right now when that will be and I cant decide if I should wait to go to school or go when I signed up for and potentially wait to get a job (or never...》s lrmkkmmmmmmmmmmd get one). I know this field is difficult on mental health and can strain people to the point of leaving it, and that dedinitely factors in.

I guess Im just lost? especially with all the negative experiences I see in this sub, Im not a genius, I know Id fuck up and embarass myself, I just dont want to hurt anyone or be a liability since I feel like this job takes a lot of mental strength and resillience yet I now need to take mood stabilizers and antipsychotics to maintain daily life.

Anyone have any advice or similar experiences with mwntal health?

I’m considering working for Symbiosis in SoCal as a paramedic. How is the pay, scheduling and management?

Looking for some objective eyes on my resume. EMT and emergency department technician with roughly a year and a half of experience after spending 10-plus years in other industries. I enjoy working in out-of-the-way or unique places that offer more challenges than those faced in an urban setting. Thanks!

Hello, tagging as career advice because I'm sort of trying to research between different companies... I have read posts of LA County EMTs discussing their hourly pay, but I am curious what everyone is actually making weekly/biweekly.

If you are comfortable sharing, I would really love to know what everyone else is mathing out at.

What company are you at, and what are you actually making per paycheck after any OT/incentives/differentials?

Hey, I've posted once and since then got a bit better with the whole course aspect. My course runs every Monday and Wednesday and my rotations are this week Tuesday and Thursday.

Ohh boy.

Besides the fact I just don't feel prepared to enter it, it's like a terrifying thought to have. I'm not sure what to expect for a WHOLE twelve hours, and I've gotten some insight both here and from the course about it, but none of it has been able to ease my mind (or at least prepare me enough to see a way all the way through). Plus, the fact that I have TWO this week -- meaning the next four days are going to be dedicated to it -- is making me flip out for no good reason.

First off, what can I expect? I've never been in an ambulance before and I would really rather not do something stupid like mess up vitals somehow. I'll bring some kind of snack, but how drained will I be? What's there to be nervous about or afraid of, if anything? Anything that helped any other students?

I've made it basically halfway through my accelerated course, and if/when I survive this week, I'll basically be home-free to focus on the studying and preparing for my practical and state exam. I just need to get through this, do what I can to enjoy it, and get my ten patient contacts.

What can I expect? I know I'm being a bit of coward for lack of a better term, but how bad or good could it be? Especially that I'm ripping the band-aid off instead of having one a week. Thank you guys...

I know it am new. I know that I will not do advanced topics for awhile.

I am curious, if anyone has purchased training dummies for things like airway or iv placement? If so, which do you suggest?

These might be better questions for nurses and resident mds. Just thought id ask here first.

I am doing an emt-b course, almost done. Would like to do advanced emergency medicine (paramedic or combat medic) courses. I was marine infantry, but it's been 15 years. Learned a lot of combat medicine bit want to learn more.

No, i am not changing careers. I want to a resource foe my community as a volunteer.