What's the point? Apperantly I'm a liability right now for this company if I work as an emt, because during lift tests my heart rate got "too high" and the therapist didn't let me preform the next task because of this, even though I could have. I was told I can take the test again in 1-2 months but they want me to work for their company as a "wheelchair van driver" then give me the emt position after I do the test again. I just don't see the point in an ems company hiring an emt as a Van driver.. Seems like a waste. Are they that desperate for employees that they don't want me looking for other work in the 1-2 month time frame? That's the only reason I can think of.
EMT working as "wheelchair Van driver"
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Jim37F
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....Or it's simply a good faith effort saying "Well we know you need a job, and we can offer you a job right now until you get in shape enough to safely lift people not using a wheelchair lift."
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Maybe they actually like you and want to keep you as an employee. Have you ever considered the possibility that by working as a wheelchair van driver, you might actually go to many of the facilities and hospitals that they service, therefore you might learn how to get to places? That could end up being a good thing when you start driving an ambulance when you transfer to the EMT position.
One of the places I worked did precisely that. We hired EMT personnel, put them on the wheelchair van for a month or two with occasional work on an ambulance as a third person preceptee. Once the new employee knew the area reasonably well, they'd be released entirely from wheelchair van work and nearly exclusively do ambulance shifts.
On top of that, giving you a job allows you to earn an income while allowing you to work on your strength and endurance, so you can pass the physical tests, as stated above.
Good points. I didn't fail because I'm not in shape. I was picking a 75 pound bucket off the ground to place on a table and appertanly my heart got too high so she didn't allow me to do the next 100 pound bucket, we just moved on. Anyway I've been going to the gym for 4 years 3-4 times a week. My family works in gyms so it'd be stupid of me not to take advantage of free gyms.
Ewok Jerky
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Yeah that's real odd that they would offer you employment after you applied for a job.
Tigger
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I think at this point you should probably accept any and all jobs offered to you by some semblance of an ambulance company.
I was hard up for employment at one point and drove the van for a bit, it sucked. But it did help me learn the area and give me some seniority. As soon as I had the opportunity to get out, I was gone. But I would not have had the opportunity if I hadn't sucked it up and done it for a few months.
I was hard up for employment at one point and drove the van for a bit, it sucked. But it did help me learn the area and give me some seniority. As soon as I had the opportunity to get out, I was gone. But I would not have had the opportunity if I hadn't sucked it up and done it for a few months.
I accepted. And I let HR know that this is NOT something I want to be doing and I was told "I understand that. You want to be an emt and we would rather you be an emt for us, but this is the best I can offer you at this time." I don't want to do it and I know it's going to suck, but I let them know that, the only reason I accepted was because I was told I'd have another chance for an emt position. If I don't get that in the time frame I was told, I'm quitting. But they know they're hiring me for something I don't want to be doing....
Tigger
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That's a uh winning attitude.
You know there is a reason that jobs pay you to do them, there are better things to do. If you're already expecting it to be miserable and can't see anything useful about it, you will not end up with an EMT position at that company.
Yes, I didn't like that job. But I tried to make it useful and met some good people. You'll live.
I know it'll be useful, not saying it's not. I just know it's not what I want to do, but if I have to to get out there and get the experience or whatever, then I'll do it. Have to start somewhere and I understand that, I'm going to make the best of it I'm not going to go into it with a negative attitude. I'll try to learn as much as I can, do my best at whatever I'm asked to do and go from there. But I wanted to tell HR it's not something I want to be doing long term to help them make the decision if they still want to hire me. Anyway just wanted to know why they wouldn't have just waited the month or two without the job. But everyone's answers helped me see more good in it, thanks.
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From the company end of things, they may have brought you on in a less-than-desirable position to get a feel for your work ethic and how you interact with clients before they put you into a position of greater responsibility. If they hear about you grousing about your wheelchair van work, guess who won't likely get "promoted" into the ambulance position? You guessed it... YOU. You'd quickly get bounced out during your probationary time and you'll have no recourse.
Ewok Jerky
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Dude you failed the physical and not only did they offer to restest in a month but they offered you a JOB in the meantime.
They could have easily said sorry you failed you have reapply next cycle.
Whether the job sucks or not I would give management the benefit of the doubt, they are doing you a favor and you are poopooing it.
They could have easily said sorry you failed you have reapply next cycle.
Whether the job sucks or not I would give management the benefit of the doubt, they are doing you a favor and you are poopooing it.
squirrel15
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There's nothing wrong with doing wheelchair van stuff, its boring but its the exact same thing you're doing as an IFT EMT just without vitals, plus you get a lift and don't have to manually lift gurneys. It teaches you how to move/transfer patients that are ambulatory with assist, and how to get creative when navigating patients through crappy spaces since you're alone. It teaches you the area and facilities, and you learn what the job entails. Take the job and stop your whining, go do it and realize its the same crap you'd be doing anyways just in a vehicle without lights.
Makes sense.
I know I know. You're right. I was just mad at the time I posted this. I only failed the one part that I guess is necessary for the emt job. I did everything good it was just my heart rate. Guess I need to work more on cardio and running, that's the only thing I've been slacking on and probably why this happened. Anyway thanks for the response, I'll take it and make the best of it.
CALEMT
The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
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This. Sounds like its all on you bud. Hell is what you make of it, yeah the job isn't what you wanted but I'd be grateful that you're being allowed to retest and offered a job at the same company. Whats there to ***** and moan about? In the month work on your physical fitness, brush up on EMT skills, and save up some cash. Cause when the time comes to retest you'll want to be ready.
evantheEMT
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This is actually a great thing, I started off being a chair car driver then when I became an emt it was easy. I learned where every hospital, nursing home, rehab, and all the rds to get around. Take it as a learning opportunity.