Age question for Paramedic Career

[Bluegrass]

General questions for everyone. I'm a 36 yo emt-b but work in a hospital as a phlebotomist. I've just signed up for medic school but wonder if my age would keep me from getting a Paramedic job upon graduation. I am fit with no medical restrictions. Thoughts?

 

[CANDawg]

General questions for everyone. I'm a 36 yo emt-b but work in a hospital as a phlebotomist. I've just signed up for medic school but wonder if my age would keep me from getting a Paramedic job upon graduation. I am fit with no medical restrictions. Thoughts?

I think it more depends on your region than your age. I know there are people on this forum who are going to medic school and are well into their forties. (I think I even saw a fifty-odd y/o person talking about starting classes!) That said, if everyone is having trouble finding jobs, you'll be in the same boat. (Although you might be able to sell yourself better based on your healthcare experience compared to a green 18 year old fresh out of school.)

If you can prove that you have the physical and metal capacity to fulfill the duties of the job, that is really all that matters. Age only comes into it when it affects your abilities, or limits the amount of time a company would be able to have you as an employee before you retire.

 

[Bluegrass]

I think it more depends on your region than your age. I know there are people on this forum who are going to medic school and are well into their forties. (I think I even saw a fifty-odd y/o person talking about starting classes!) That said, if everyone is having trouble finding jobs, you'll be in the same boat. (Although you might be able to sell yourself better based on your healthcare experience compared to a green 18 year old fresh out of school.)

If you can prove that you have the physical and metal capacity to fulfill the duties of the job, that is really all that matters. Age only comes into it when it affects your abilities, or limits the amount of time a company would be able to have you as an employee before you retire.

Thanks for the quick reply. I've become concerned now that the Lexington Fire Dept. won't accept applications for firefighter if you are older than 33. I began to get concerned that I may go to Medic school for nothing if I'm viewed as "too old".

 

[CANDawg]

Thanks for the quick reply. I've become concerned now that the Lexington Fire Dept. won't accept applications for firefighter if you are older than 33. I began to get concerned that I may go to Medic school for nothing if I'm viewed as "too old".

I can see how a combined service might be a little harder to enter, as the physical demands on firefighters are significantly higher than those on EMS professionals. That said, I would be surprised if you would see the same attitudes at a third service or private company.

 

[mrg86]

A former coworker of mine went through medic school at 38 and now has a great gig with a county EMS agency. If you want to go the fire/medic route, I would bet on having to do private EMS for at least a year, most departments shy away from hiring green medics, at least where I live they do. If you would rather do paramedic only, you still may have to get a private job as a stepping stone until you land the one you really want.

 

[DesertMedic66]

We have an EMT that got hired with us a couple months ago and he is well into his 30s. He has a wife and 2 kids but somehow he makes enough to live because his wife is a stay at home mom (not saying there is anything wrong with that).

 

[mgr22]

I haven't encountered employer-imposed age constraints for EMS-only (i.e. not fire) positions. I'm a 59-year-old medic.

 

[wyomingearth]

older paramedics...

I'm forty and I start medic school the first of September. I hope my age won't hold me back as a medic as it didn't seem to affect me as a basic ( I just got my certification a year ago). Think of all the life experience you have and how that will help you as a paramedic. Think how differently you would approach things if you were 18 again, so many experiences I have had over the decades helped me deal with weird situations and patients from all walks of life, the same may be true of you.

 

[Epi-do]

I've been working as a medic for the last 4 years. I was 38 when I finished medic class.

 

[bahnrokt]

I know many agencies that are not a fan of the 22 year old medic that still drinks hard on the weekends and is likely to have relations with co workers.

 

[Handsome Robb]

I know many agencies that are not a fan of the 22 year old medic that still drinks hard on the weekends and is likely to have relations with co workers.

But there are plenty of reputable agencies around that will hire them because they don't profile against age, young or old. All 22 year old medics are bad news, right?

If you show yourself competent and meet their criteria there's no reason you wouldn't be able to find employment.

 

[adamjh3]

I know many agencies that are not a fan of the 22 year old medic that still drinks hard on the weekends and is likely to have relations with co workers.

I spent my 21st birthday studying for my medic final. Most of the medics I would trust with a family member are under 25.

A couple of the medics I respect and aspire to be like the most are in the 30-40 year old range. I don't see how one can answer a question about discrimination and then discriminate against the other side of the spectrum in the same sentence.

As NVRob said, don't focus on your age, focus on your education, purple can tell when you're motivated.

 

[fast65]

I know many agencies that are not a fan of the 22 year old medic that still drinks hard on the weekends and is likely to have relations with co workers.

Outside of insurance regulations, age usually has no bearing on who people hire. If you can do your job competently, that's all that matters. At my agency, the number of medics under the age of 30, pretty well out number the medics over 30...but I would agree with Rob, all 22 year old medics are alcoholic :censored::censored::censored::censored::censored:s.

To answer the original question, 36 isn't too old, if there is nothing holding you back from performing the duties as assigned, then go for it. I know a couple of people that are in their late 30's, and they're about to start medic school.

 

[bahnrokt]

I spent my 21st birthday studying for my medic final. Most of the medics I would trust with a family member are under 25.

A couple of the medics I respect and aspire to be like the most are in the 30-40 year old range. I don't see how one can answer a question about discrimination and then discriminate against the other side of the spectrum in the same sentence.

As NVRob said, don't focus on your age, focus on your education, purple can tell when you're motivated.

I never said there are not some great, young medics out there. The point of my post was to highlight the fact that while a potential employer may desire a younger medic, there are also reasons to want an older medic.

 

[terrible one]

I think a more appropriate question may be 'will i make enough as a paramedic?'
As you said the fire department will not hire you, do the potential employers in your area pay well enough to make a living, support a family, retire? And if so are those companies even hiring?
Questions you may want to entertain given the economy and the investment you are about to undergo.

 

[Bluegrass]

I appreciate all the response! I'm excited to start medic school, and after reading your responses (and checking the available positions in my area) it appears I may even get a job! Lol
Thanks for the support!

 

[medicman14]

Id like to add that my agency, a County 3rd service in Florida, prefers a more mature staff. Too many young'ns and it throws off the balance of maturity.

On a side note, I knew I was the old guy when I looked at my partner and realized I could have delivered her as a newborn on shift 18 years prior...

Anyway, I was older than you when I got my current job in EMS...so don't worry.

Hang in there, I'm confident that you will find a home...