EMTLIFE

I just don't have one. I hate driving people piss me off driving so I just choosed not to drive . When I took my emt course my instructor told me all Ift company's hire attendants 911 are just the ones you need a licensed and ambulance drivers certificate which is obviously false information other wise I would of started the process along time ago .

Yes, once you have your OCEMS cert, you can practice in Orange County. Although CARE has contracts in both OC and LA, they require you have OCEMS licensing prior to being hired.

I suppose most EMT schools assume that the students in their program have a license and drive themselves to class, so it was their mistake in making that assumption. Regardless, now you need to get a drivers license, and then take the written ambulance drivers license test. I'm sure you can do both tests the same day.

Is care contracted with americare? There's an americare base 5 min from my house . I made it known I didint have a license and they said "oh no thats not a problem most Ift hire attendants" ******** I think once I get my license I won't have a problem I just wish I would of known it would of been such a Hassle to get a job without one

Private companies don't contract with other companies. Each company is contracted with hospitals and cities. CARE has majority of South Bay LA County Fire contracts and majority of Orange County Fire for their 911 side. The IFT side, they are contracted with a ton of hospitals.

Some cities, like Long Beach and Huntington Beach, don't use private companies. They have their own ambulances with "Ambulance Operators" basically EMTS and medics that run the ambulance and run 911 calls.

I'm not too familiar with companies that do only IFT's. I was lucky to be hired by CARE which do both IFT's and Fire calls, so I'm not 100% sure if other companies will hire you as an EMT only. I'm trying to get into a Physician Assistant program next year, so I wanted fire calls to experience the crazy and interesting calls. Thats why CARE worked out perfectly for me.

Mccormick is hiring right now and my step father is a paramedic for them and he tried to pull me in but of course they only take drivers . I'm in the San pedro area and the closet base is americare in palos verdes and Mccormick is pv as well . what's cares pay rate if you don't mind me asking ??

All these companies are private, it's just that some run 911 calls and some run solely IFTs. Also, just because a station is right next to your house, does not mean you will work out of there. There's a station across the street from my house that runs 24hr shifts, I cant work that shift because I'm doing drivers training right now, and they give set schedules out by seniority of hours.

The pay is about the same no matter what company you work for in OC or LA. Its $10.50 for short shifts, $9.00 for 24 hr shifts. You work 10-11 hr shifts usually, so you get 2-3 hours overtime every day, making it $15.00 per hour after the initial 8. CARE has a ton of overtime, so I've worked around 50 hours a week on average, so my biweekly pay checks are around $1000 average.

okay . Do you get paid over time for 24 hr shifts or do they clock you out after a certain amount of time and then clock you back in when you get a call ?? 1,000 isn't bad that'll cover my rent for the month .

I'm not sure, I haven't worked a 24 hr shift. I do know that if you work a 24 then work a short shift (10-11) they multiply your short shift hours be the short shift rate, multiple the 24 hours by 24 hr pay, add the two up, then average it out for the total hours worked that week.

They give you 30 mins for lunch. If they can't give it to you, you get paid for a whole hour. I worked 4th of july, so for holidays they add an additional 10 hours of pay to your paycheck.

Also, the company allows for a lot of overtime, and they offer different shifts. You can CCT, critical care transport, IFTs, 911, and special events such as graduations, sporting events, etc.

Also, benefits are amazing. Their dental and vision is great, and its only like $5 a paycheck. I didnt do their medical because fortunately I'm still on my parents for another 2 years.

Okay I understand now . doesn't seem to bad . I just want to get over this hump and get into the field and get the experience I need to move up to a paramedic .

Wow there benefits are actually pretty good ! Does it cover dependents as well ?

I understand, but you're going to run into roadblocks here and there. If you are really desperate to start working, then I think your best option is to work for a small company that allows you to work without a drivers license. While working for them, get all that stuffed done.

However, I think it may be best to try to work for a bigger company such as McCormick, AMR, or CARE, because you will get more out of it. Doing IFT's does not get you prepared for medic school, and even if you get into a program, you will have a difficult time doing your clinicals and internship.

Understanding what medics actually do in the field, and working side by side with them is priceless. I strongly encourage you to get your stuff in order, then apply to a company that runs 911 calls. Also, CARE benefits do cover dependents and spouses.