Medic under 21 y/o?

Ruuustom

Ruuustom

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I am looking into medic school right now and I am just about to complete my application....but I am 19 y/o, I have been an EMT since my 18th birthday.. so about 1.5 years. Should I wait a little while longer before applying?
 
We can't answer that question for you. Everyone is different. Some can handle being a medic at 19 while others can't.
 
I can't speak for everywhere, but I don't know of anywhere in Colorado that will hire a medic that's under 21. I'm told it's for insurance reasons. Whether you can handle it or not, you should look into that.
 
Ensihoitaja said:
I can't speak for everywhere, but I don't know of anywhere in Colorado that will hire a medic that's under 21. I'm told it's for insurance reasons. Whether you can handle it or not, you should look into that.
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It's for driving purposes. If you're under 21 you'll be lucky to find an insurance company that will let you drive. It makes you a less economical decision for companies hiring you, so they should be convinced you'll compensate by being a kickass medic, if they don't have a hard rule on age. However, there are some insurance companies that will let you from what i've heard, not seen.
 
I was an EMT at age 18 and Paramedic at age 19. I did fine. I got hired by the county so insurance was not a big deal.

The answers above are good, the situation is unique to every individual.

Challenges from my perspective was having credibility/rapport with patients, being in a position of leadership and trying to dictate actions, etc. I had to prove myself in every situation. I also had to learn that the 40 year old who was an EMT for 20 years has a LOT of wisdom and sound advice to share. In fact everyone above me had some advice, it was up to me to determine if it was good or bad.

It is a lot of responsibility when your mind itself is not yet mature and you have no real life experience to fall back on. Be careful who your mentors are.
 
Ensihoitaja said:
I can't speak for everywhere, but I don't know of anywhere in Colorado that will hire a medic that's under 21. I'm told it's for insurance reasons. Whether you can handle it or not, you should look into that.
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We have the ability to, but there just aren't that many under 21 medics so it isn't that big of a deal. There are two out of the 18 in my program now, and one will be 21 by the time he can work.

As for driving part, there's not really rhyme or reason as to who hires under 21 and who doesn't. I was driving an ambulance in Boston (without EVOC) at 19, and I worked for a pretty respect company. Some of my employers here in Colorado have under 21 employees, others don't.
 
Tigger said:
We have the ability to, but there just aren't that many under 21 medics so it isn't that big of a deal. There are two out of the 18 in my program now, and one will be 21 by the time he can work.

As for driving part, there's not really rhyme or reason as to who hires under 21 and who doesn't. I was driving an ambulance in Boston (without EVOC) at 19, and I worked for a pretty respect company. Some of my employers here in Colorado have under 21 employees, others don't.
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Interesting. When I worked at Pridemark they wouldn't hire under 21. I'm not sure how it is now that they've been assimilated.

Denver Health will hire VSTs under 21, but not EMTs or paramedics.
 
Ensihoitaja said:
Interesting. When I worked at Pridemark they wouldn't hire under 21. I'm not sure how it is now that they've been assimilated.

Denver Health will hire VSTs under 21, but not EMTs or paramedics.
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AMR is 21+ nationwide as far as I am aware, and I suppose Pridemark is sort of AMR now considering the R/M purchase.
 
Tigger said:
AMR is 21+ nationwide as far as I am aware, and I suppose Pridemark is sort of AMR now considering the R/M purchase.
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No, its up to the operation. We were 18+ in NM
 
Tigger said:
AMR is 21+ nationwide as far as I am aware, and I suppose Pridemark is sort of AMR now considering the R/M purchase.
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It's weird seeing people in Rural/Metro ambulances wearing AMR uniforms. It's sad seeing people in Pridemark ambulances wearing AMR uniforms.
 
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