What's the Denver Health EMS scoop?

SupertOConnor

Forum Ride Along
3
0
1
Hey friends, I'm at AEMT at a busy 911 system in Atlanta GA. I have about 4 months until i graduate medic school and 6 years experience as an EMT. I will file for reciprocity shortly after I i get my NR-P. I'm hoping to move and get on with Denver Health in the not too distant future. From what I've read it's a very competitive hiring process and it really helps to know someone. Any tips, ideas, suggestions to help out my chances? Thanks again!
 

captaindepth

Forum Lieutenant
151
60
28
Denver Health *usually* only hires new graduate paramedics from the Denver Health paramedic school. For outside paramedic applicants I think they are asking that you have at least 1 year experience as a medic in a busy/semi-busy 911 system. It never hurts to apply and interview as soon as possible. Even if you don't get offered a position right away, you will have opportunity to get your name in the mix and get some recognition in future interviews. Don't be surprised if it ends up taking a few rounds of interviews to finally get a job offer, it's not uncommon.

I'm sure you have done your own research but here is a link to the employment page on the division website http://www.denverhealthparamedics.org/employment
It never hurts to reach out and ask for additional information regarding the interview process before submitting your application. Also, remember you must obtain your Colorado state paramedic certification which can take some time ( https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/ems-provider-certification ).

As far as tips for doing well, I think standard interview practice is the most important thing. Practice presenting yourself well, speaking clearly, being concise with your answers, engaging with your interviewers, and generally being likable. You should know or have a good basic understanding of the local protocols ( http://www.denverhealthparamedics.org/images/documents/DHPD-March-2016-Protocols.pdf ), be decisive in your answers to scenarios, and try to be humble/not overly confident. If your end goal is go the fire department route then keep that info to yourself and do not share it during the interview, IMO Denver Health does not like being used as a stepping stone to get on with a FD.

It has been almost 3 years since I interviewed but I'd imagine it's the same process now. It was a general employment interview with a panel of 4 or 5 command staff members of varying rank, and then a second round with medical scenarios in front of another 2 or 3 other command staff members. I think they do some form of phone interviews before inviting out of state applicants but I'm not sure.
 
OP
OP
S

SupertOConnor

Forum Ride Along
3
0
1
Awesome! Thank you! Are you a DHPD employee now? Can you think of any extra certifications that would help out? Other than the obvious ACLS, PALS and PHTLS?
 

captaindepth

Forum Lieutenant
151
60
28
Yes I am currently an employee of the Denver Health Paramedic Division. As far as being a new hire medic I can't think of any additional certs that would give you a leg up but a big perk would be being bilingual (Spanish). We discontinued our CCT program earlier this year, there are some other extracurricular elements you can participate in once you are through field training and a "patched" medic which can lead to additional certifications but as a new hire you'd have to wait anyway.
 

Ensihoitaja

Forum Captain
374
127
43
captaindepth covered pretty much everything. There's also a phone interview/personality (I can't remember the name) test that all hospital employees do that's done as part of the interview process.

Also, the scoops are Fernos...
 

Ensihoitaja

Forum Captain
374
127
43
Lack of call volume, especially since Denver Health started staffing the cath lab 24-7. The CCT used to get a lot of business taking after-hours caths. Combine that with the explosion of HEMS here and a no marketing/outreach for the CCT, and they weren't running a sustainable volume of calls.
 
Top