First few weeks on the job?

EMSDan

EMSDan

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I just finished up the NREMT, and now job hunting while waiting to start medic school. Anyway, I'm just wondering what the first few weeks are like as a brand new EMT-B working for the first time. Do they just throw you in the deep end, or are you treated as if it were an advanced clinical? By that, I mean is there still some sort of safety net? I'm not incompetent by any means, but with only 82 hours of actual 911 experience I would need some direction I would imagine. Thanks in advance, I love this board. Lots of great info and people.
 
Depends. At my private service we are usually so short handed that a new basic might have a day third riding, then get tossed on a truck. We run all 911, and expect our basics to work to full scope. But they are usually only tossed on a truck with a strong medic or intermediate. Not the best way to do things, but I'm working on getting us an FTO program set up.
 
My first job gave me one FTO ride, and released me on my own.

My new job requires about a month of FTO rides, regardless of your experience level.


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If you have no experience, my company gives you a week of third riding. If you're still not comfortable, or the FTO crew is not comfortable with you, you get another week.

If you show up with experience you might only get a day as third.
 
Our company does 2 weeks of classroom orientation and a minimum of 5 weeks fto

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My part-time does 1 week classroom orientation, then a 50 shift FTO program (about 6 months)

My first job, however, was 1 to 3 shifts as third, then thrown in with the sharks. My 5th shift I was with a guy that had been there less than a month!
 
Three week academy followed by 10-30 shifts of third riding while being FTO'd.
 
Will differ by type of service, I bet

paid FD will be different from private 911 contractor /from interfacility transfer/from volunteer/etc.
 
I know of some services out here where the emt-b is the highest level of pre-hospital care. So they throw them out there. My service I am in wants me to complete 30 shifts before I go out with a partner. But I'm riding with a paramedic and an emt-i and they are very relaxed with me. I have already been taking lead with them listening to me, but if I'm about to slip up, they will stop me. I like it this way to be honest. Well good luck in your job hunting, I'm the only one from my class right now working an ems job right now, although I worked hard to find my current job, and I'm sure you will too.
 
I suppose it depends.

At my service, a brand new EMT receives somewhere in the ball park of 200 hours of 3rd person time prior to being released to work on a normal crew.

New medics receive 6 months of "probationary" time. The first month is 3rd person on an EMT/medic truck, and the following 5 months are done working double medic.

After that time, they are evaluated to see if it needs to continue.

I would say that in general I would expect some type of truck familiarization/paperwork day. Hopefully after that you get some time 3rd person to continue familiarizing!

Best of luck to you as you start your career.
 
Going to be different everywhere.

Most places around here require that you precept for either A) a certain number of calls or B) a certain number of hours. And most departments require that you attend a county run BLS/ALS Protocols, and a BLS/ALS Challenge course before you can be released.
 
Seems like the majority of places offer plenty of time to get accustomed. I appreciate all the answers! Just one more question if I may.

Is it better to work as an EMT-B while going through with Medic, or focus strictly on Medic school? Half of the people I've asked this to have urged me to get experience if possible. The two Medics that know me very well have said to focus strictly on school, saying I'd be fine once I get out there in the field. What's the best option? Is going to Medic school and working as a new EMT at the same time too difficult to pull off? What have you all done, and how did it work out for you?
 
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12 week classroom and simulation academy followed by 1-2 month of 3rd out and 3-4 month of FTO partnership where i work

just dont stress!
 
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