Best system to work in?

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Zanerd

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Im personally not interested in becoming a Fire Fighter, nothing against the profession (its the MOST respected job in the US!!!) its just not for me.

That being said, what are career options for those who don't want to work as a fire fighter? I know many HATE private ambulance companies but I was wondering what areas of the country have good private/3rd service/hospital based systems with decent wages/benefits...even fire departments that dont cross train.

Any ideas or opinions would be great!!^_^
 
Hello there! Many areas are serviced by hospital-based EMS. For example, Denver is serviced by the Denver Health Paramedic Division... Denver Health is a great hospital with a level one trauma center. From what I have heard they are one of the most respected services in Colorado and many people out here who are more interested in EMS than fire dream of making it on their ambulances. They also have an excellent education program. Here's their website. A lot of people working on private companies out here are doing so just to gain enough experience to work with Denver Health EMS.

If working on the streets isn't critical to you, you may consider working as a tech in the ED. Around here they get paid much better than EMTs on ambulances. (inexperienced EMT-Bs starting on a private service usually make $8-9/hr, ED techs make $11-12/hr)

Good luck!
 
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There are also private ambulance companies that perform 911, not just interfacility. If you are cross-trained in fire, you will definitely have more opportunities, but you have to have a passion for it if you want to avoid going crazy keeping up with all of the educational requirements (fire, hazmat, rescue, etc. each have continuing education needs).

Not all 911 systems are all they are cracked up to be either. Denver Health may be a well-respected system, but many of the medics that I knew from there when I worked in the metro area were burned out. Denver Health ends up running mostly BLS, many highly intoxicated, and that is not what most EMS providers sign on for. Interfacility transports have to be done by someone and if you approach the job with a caring attitude and realize that you are performing a needed (and appreciated when care is delivered properly) service, you can get a lot of enjoyment out of working in this arena as well.

The main thing you have to find is a service with a management team that understands the challenges that the line employees face and that supports the employees on the street. Call volume, call type, fire service or non-fire service - there are good and bad employers in every arena. Make sure that you research the agencies that you are applying to and interview them as thoroughly (or more so) than they interview you.
 
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