Recent content by Vao

How do you make a career out of driving a taxi without lights and sirens? You work. For the people who make BLS a career, its not about money. And some can handle higher education, some cant. But they sure shouldn't be looked down on for it.

RWJUH (Lvl 1 Trauma, NJ) had Dr. Merlin leading the EMS doc program, he would respond out for crush/amp. I think he's with MONOC now...I could be wrong.

Trauma, Unfortunately, the volunteer side is much like...middle school; a lot of half capable practitioners learning what they can and can't do, low self esteem, general lack of responsibility or accountability. If you want to be treated as an adult, get a job doing this. Paid EMTs...

Being honest about this is your best bet. Don't take a drug test and then say "oh yea! I forgot to tell you about...."

Am I wrong, or did BLS providers just get bashed over and over and over? We aren't the highest trained, but that A) doesn't mean we're incompetent or stupid (from a degree carrying EMT), and B) doesn't mean we're all siren happy 'drivers'. If we want to stop being...

100+ views and no responses. Oy.

Hey all- I currently work for a major hospital in NJ, in a community based outreach department. And it's killing me. I do alright money wise, but most days I just miss being on a truck- I worked Perdiem (sometimes 6 days, sometimes 1 day weekly) for almost 2 years right out of school...

Beware! Please be aware of WHO you're volunteering for. While the whole concept of 'volunteering' is great at heart, it can actually hurt you when looking for a paid position. I know from my personal experience, as well as my buddies, me getting out of emt school with no experience whatsoever...

So I'm a relatively new EMT, only about a month of actually work experience, and I had my first 'freeze' the other night. Seemingly basic call, nothing to even be concerned about (a respiratory with no shortness, speaking in full sentences, blah blah) and for some reason I just sorta...locked...

Thanks everyone for your input. Now what's all this i hear about FD Medic, FD blah blah...i can't even think of a nonvolunteer fire service in new jersey, at least not off the top of my head.

I hear you on the EMT-I, unfortunately we don't employ those in NJ =(

Hey all, long time reader, first time poster. I read what everyone had to say about being an EMT, I had lifesaving experiences in my past, and I made the commitment- went to school, applied to every company I ever heard of- and now I am happily employed working for a municipality in central...