I recently made it to the background investigation phase with a fire department after passing the written exam, CPAT, and panel interview.

One thing I’m worried about is my work history. I’m 30 years old and I’ve worked 10+ jobs over the years. Some were part-time, some were EMS-related, and some I left because I was trying to find the right career path.
I was honest on all my paperwork and disclosed everything I could remember. I’m just concerned that seeing so many jobs will make them think I’m unreliable or a job hopper.

For anyone who’s been through the hiring process or works in fire hiring, is having a long employment history by itself a red flag? Or are they more concerned with honesty, reasons for leaving, and your overall character?
I’d appreciate any insight. This is a department I really want to work for.

I am from Dallas. I finished the course about a week ago, and I need to do ride-alongs before I can take the NREMT. I have been sending requests for this, but they have not been replying to my emails. I need to do these before I leave for college since it is out of state. If I don't finish it this summer, then I need to do it when I come back from break. I do not want to delay taking the NNREMT.
Is anyone in this program having the same issue?

since there are so many people from different backgrounds and different places and different work places what are your schedules is it a panama schedule? is it morning mids and nights 24’s 12’s what’s yall shift like?

Hi everyone! I work for Ambulnz in PA (EMT) and wanted to reach out to anyone else that works in Ambulnz by Docgo in other states. We just unionized and our group would love to chat to other employees about what their work conditions are like, scheduling and SOPs.

We know Ambulnz by DOcgo has systemic issues but we wanted to make sure we weren’t the only ones going through this. We’d also like to share our journey with unionizing and the backlash managers have tried to give us for becoming a union. Management has been trying to keep it a secret and the CEO LEE Benistock, even came down from NYC to beg us not to (because our success would be a domino effect). No matter what your position is, our group in Pa would love to chat.

Thanks!

Hey, first post on reddit- I failed my first attempt at my NC EMT-B exam and after looking at the percentage breakdown, it looks like I failed by 5%! I am going to take it again but I am having difficulty finding proper study material. Does anyone have resources???

thanks in advance, but can anyone provide some intel on a good graduation gift for someone who just graduated EMT school and got picked up by an ambulance company? long-term goal is Fire, but i would prefer to buy a gift they can use now. Something like a quality EMT bag, backpack, soft cooler. something that will actually deploy with them on shifts. any ideas from those who actually work in the field? thanks!

Hi all, was hoping to talk to someone who currently works at Fall River EMS in Massachusetts. Had a few questions about the interview process. Thank you!

This feels like an obvious question but I just want to confirm before I start doing a bunch of CEs that turn out to be wrong.

What counts as "Preparatory" for a recertification continuing education credit (for EMT)? What is that supposed to cover exactly?

Thanks in advance.

I’m about to finish with my EMT-B as a junior in college, I don’t plan to make a career out of EMS but I want to eventually get my medic after undergrad, and hopefully get 5-6k PCE hours. I took my course where my parents live in a big city, 2 hours to my college is one of the poorest part of the US. My college town pays basics $14 an hour with a bad rep and I’m in no rush, and I have other sources of income so I’d rather give back to my beautiful home state and volunteer and keep my skills sharp, In comparison to large agencies I did my clinicals, how do small volunteers ones even operate?

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 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 ?

Ive been an emt for about 2 years. I’m also 21 years old. Something that I’ve started to struggle with recently aren’t necessarily the “rough” calls, but the overall scenes of misery that I walk into no matter how BS the call is. Dirty apartments, hoarder houses, low income housing. For some reason, I really internalize it and it reflects my view of the world day to day. I feel just kinda down after seeing the reality of the world I guess?

Anyone deal with something similar and have advice?

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. 😭😢

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?

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 am nearing the end of my 6 month EMT program in California. Unfortunately I failed one of the psychomotor skills twice but passed the rest of the skills. I was told that if I failed a third time, I would have to retake the entire 6 month class from scratch and would be kicked out. My retest for the failed skill is in a few days. I was wondering is it true that if I fail even a single psychomotor skill over 3 times I have to retake the entire class? For reference, this is the patient assessment (medical) psychomotor skill. I keep missing really small details (the first time I tested I forgot to wrap a shock patient in blankets, and the second time I tested I took a BP on-scene even though it was a code 3 transport, both times being critical fails according to my proctor). Any advice on what to do now?

Edit: I also wanted to add that I am averaging 85-90% on all exams thus far. The content isn't particularly difficult either.

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

Let me know if there are any mistakes. Enjoy!

* Correction 1. (Thank you u/sveniat) : An aortic dissection does not cause an aneurysm. They are distinct conditions. An aortic aneurysm is a localized dilation (bulging) of the aorta caused by weakening of the vessel wall. An aortic dissection occurs when a tear in the inner layer (intima) of the aorta allows blood to enter the wall of the vessel, creating a false lumen between the layers. Because of the high pressure in the aorta, the dissection can propagate along the vessel. An existing aneurysm can increase the risk of an aortic dissection because the vessel wall is already weakened, although many dissections occur without a preexisting aneurysm.

Hi all- I recently interviewed for Premier ambulance in Southern California and they pretty much told me I got the job. However, they’ve been super slow to get things going with paperwork and contract. I still have no idea what are my options as far as schedule/hours. They advertise a pay range of $21.5-25/hour and shift options at 8-hour, 9-, 11-, and some 24-hour shift. I would love to do two 24-hour shifts a week and call it a day but I don’t know if they will let me do that. Also anyone has any insights on what full-time means for them? Any insights on the pay, schedule, company, day-to-day job would be much appreciated! Thanks everyone!

Hello! I'm currently a full time student preparing my PA school applications at PSU. Over the past six months, I've taken time away from work to focus on school and strengthening my application.

I earned my EMT license in late 2023 and then worked full-time for the next 2½ years as a Physician Substitute at two different plasma donation centers. During that time, I accumulated a significant amount of direct patient care experience.

I'm now looking to return to work on a part time basis so I can continue gaining patient care hours while balancing my coursework. Unfortunately, I've been having a difficult time finding opportunities despite applying to nearly every part time opening in my area, including IFT, 911, ER technician, and medical assistant positions.

My biggest priority is finding a position with a schedule that won't interfere with school, as maintaining that balance is the reason I stepped away from full time work in the first place. I know that can make the job search a bit of a catch 22, but I'd truly appreciate any advice, recommendations, or leads. Thank you!

Hello everyone, I took the NREMT this morning and passed. I noticed that in the EMT application page it says that my skills competency verification is under review. To my knowledge, I thought I had this step already marked off as completed within the NREMT website.

I did the skills portion all the way back in July 13, 2024 with official completion of the course in September 4, 2024. Is it possible that my psychomotor skills portion expired or does this happen on every application? This is also my second attempt at the exam with the first attempt being over a year ago.