EMT-B / Student question

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So I became a EMT-B back when I was in Virginia. Loved every bit of it and got only a very small amount of field experience before moving to my current state due to military orders of my spouse.

So basically I'm enrolled fulltime at the college near me in the ADN program and the only ambulance service near me thats hiring part time (Pays as much as a mcdonalds employee which I dont really mind) only has 12 hour shifts minimum (Which is expected). The issue is I can't commit to a 12 hour shift currently due to school and childcare issues. (We run childcare for our kids through the military) and funding wise don't have enough to pay someone on the weekends to watch my kids.

So basically I feel like I'm wasting my cert because I can't seem to work around my current situation.

My biggest question is should I be worried? Should I just focus on my studies while working a random part time job that works with my schedule? I know having the medical experience is good to have and will help me further but should I really stress about it?

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

Are there any hospitals near you? I would apply as a tech in the ER. This would be the position closest related to your EMT-B training since there are no nearby ambulance services. Most hospitals only have 12 hour shifts, however, some places are able to work with you and maybe there's something contingent you can get.

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I'll have to look into it, But from what I was told ER techs are mostly paramedics in this state. I was a ER Tech as well back in the previous state which was really the main reason for me to pursue a nursing career over paramedic.

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Specializes in NICU.

PCA in a hospital environment is far more useful for nursing and hospital exposure than Pre-hospital EMT experience.

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Specializes in ER.

You should look into it. A lot of hospitals have different requirements. As an EMT, I managed to get into a unit clerk/ER tech position. Then I later transitioned into a unit clerk/paramedic role. I know one guy who worked at the University of Michigan on the floor with his EMT cert and he made more than paramedics did on the road. I think he worked on a floor that dealt with liver issues? Something like that (it was like four years ago).

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PCA in a hospital environment is far more useful for nursing and hospital exposure than Pre-hospital EMT experience.

So you're suggesting I should look into getting my PCA over working with my current EMT-B cert?

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You should look into it. A lot of hospitals have different requirements. As an EMT, I managed to get into a unit clerk/ER tech position. Then I later transitioned into a unit clerk/paramedic role. I know one guy who worked at the University of Michigan on the floor with his EMT cert and he made more than paramedics did on the road. I think he worked on a floor that dealt with liver issues? Something like that (it was like four years ago).

Yeah im going to look into hospitals. I know next quarter Ill only be enrolled in one or two classes (Depending) for my pre reqs. So I'll have time to invest in work for 5-6 months before I take on another full load in the spring quarter.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

This will depend on the area but in my town we have on call emt through the fire dept. These are extra, on top of the full timers that are scheduled. They pay when people respond to calls but there is no obligation to answer calls, you just go to the ones you are available for. Might be a way for you to use your emt if you want.

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A PCA or PCT or UAP or CNA they are all the same and the position doesn't necessarily require any cert what so ever. You are working under the nurses license. If you have your EMT you can totally get a job as a hospital staff in one of these positions. You could even look into working for an agency as a resource float pool and make your own schedule and work your own hours. There are lots of positions and worse case sinario go work in the kitchen of the hospital of your dreams and internally transfer to a pct position once you have some time in.

I know this because I'm an emt and I work for an amazing hospital and my current position has nothing to do with being an emt. I am still in direct pt care and love my job. It also has way better pay and longevity than any emt job I could ever have.

Best of luck to you.

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