Las Vegas Employment?

[TreySpooner65]

I'm considering moving to Nevada for EMT work. Specifically in the Las Vegas area. I hear there are always companies hiring there, and I think I could get more 911 experience. The big thing is family. I dont want to be too far so that I cant come back quickly if there should be an emergency (grandparents are getting up there in years..) and Vegas is only 5 hours from what I currently call home.

My question is, how realistic is it to get a job there?
Currently I am NREMT and CA certified as an EMT-B. Jan 30th & Feburary 2nd I will be taking a ECG and Pharm class as a preparatory class for ACLS. Thats about the extent of my training (except for a few ICS classes..)

Experience consists of a few months volunteering at sporting events and working as an EMT/Med Tech at a retirement community for a month (as of now).

 

[Handsome Robb]

Nevada recognizes NREMT so all it really takes is an application to get your NV card. Once you are affiliated with an agency you will have to apply again to get an 'Ambulance Attendant's License'.

Clark County is actually separate from the NV DOH when it comes to EMS. I don't know a ton about it but they do require you to take a protocol test. Give me a bit and I'll find you a link for the protocols, it's saved on my computer somewhere.

In the Vegas area the two big players are AMR and MedicWest (which was bought out by AMR but still operates as MW). LVFD does do transports but they have a weird take on them. They do transport but from talking to some people down there it seems like it is pretty much "if the medic feels like it" type of deal.

In my county and from what I know about Clark county only Intermediates or Medics can work on 911 trucks except under special circumstances (read MCI). I know MW hires basics for special events, standbys, casino posts and what not.

AMR and MW split the city for 911 transport coverage with LVFD being the first responding agency.

I live and work in Northern NV so I'm a ways a way from Vegas but PM me with any questions and I will answer them to the best of my ability.

edit: I think this is the site for protocols http://ems.pgpic.com/protocols/ClarkCountyNevProtocol.pdf

Here's the link to the SNEMS site http://www.cchd.org/ems/index.php

Also MedicWest's website http://medicwest.com/

 

[TreySpooner65]

Awesome information thanks! If you can get those protocols that would be awesome. I have the MedicWest app downloaded on my desktop. Do you think it would be better to put in my app now, or wait until after the ECG/Pharm class? Will that class pull much in my favor? I'll look into AMR too.

 

[Handsome Robb]

Awesome information thanks! If you can get those protocols that would be awesome. I have the MedicWest app downloaded on my desktop. Do you think it would be better to put in my app now, or wait until after the ECG/Pharm class? Will that class pull much in my favor? I'll look into AMR too.

I linked the protocols above in my edit.

The ecg/pharm wont do much for you in NV if you are trying to score a 911 job in a metro area. We still use NREMT-I/85 as a minimum for 911 units unless you are in a rural area where it isn't unusual to see a B/B or a B/I truck.

I don't work for MW or AMR so I don't want to mislead you with info but from talking to a coworker who used to work there they run I/P on there 911 trucks and standbys are B/B or B/I. There was a big hullaballoo about LVFD taking over transport but it fell through as of September of this year.

Edit: Also for Nevada it's really cheap to apply for a card, I don't remember the exact price for initial certification but I know my last recert was 10$ if I remember correctly... Southern NV may be different though.

 

[TreySpooner65]

No worries. I dont expect to get onto a 911 rig right away. (But it would be cool...) Most important it getting on somewhere, getting enough to pay rent, etc..

 

[Handsome Robb]

Definitely. I don't know the average cost of living for Vegas off hand but generally it isn't super high in NV.

They do run EMT-I classes pretty regularly throughout the state. As of now I haven't heard a definitive answer for NV staying with EMT-I or going with the AEMT that the NREMT is swapping too.

edit: like I said, if you have any questions feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to answer them.

 

[TreySpooner65]

Definitely. I don't know the average cost of living for Vegas off hand but generally it isn't super high in NV.

They do run EMT-I classes pretty regularly throughout the state. As of now I haven't heard a definitive answer for NV staying with EMT-I or going with the AEMT that the NREMT is swapping too.

A 1br apartment here is about $1100. A quick search revealed $500-1000 in North Las Vegas. Do you happen to know what average starting pay is in the area?

Also, is there anything weird or abnormal in the Clark County protocols that you're aware of, I know you dont work there so thats ok.

 

[Handsome Robb]

A 1br apartment here is about $1100. A quick search revealed $500-1000 in North Las Vegas. Do you happen to know what average starting pay is in the area?

Also, is there anything weird or abnormal in the Clark County protocols that you're aware of, I know you dont work there so thats ok.

Nothing weird that I know of. I've looked through them and nothing really stood out as "weird".

As for starting pay I have no idea, I can ask around but my guess would be that it is similar to Reno where I live and work which is 12$ an hour for EMT-I.

 

[TreySpooner65]

Well thats what I make now, and I know I'm not an EMT-I, so I could expect less. But the cost of living is less than California that is for sure.

 

[Handsome Robb]

For what its worth I love where I live. I love my job and don't have any plans to go anywhere else anytime soon. NV is a growing state with many opportunities.

I couldn't live in Vegas, it's too damn hot, but from an experience standpoint when you get on a 911 unit you will see A LOT. That goes for Vegas and where I work.

 

[TreySpooner65]

Well thank you for your assistance. Anyone else please chime in!

 

[stemi]

I'm hoping the opportunities in NV are better than in CA.. just like you I'm planning on going into NV if the going gets too tough over here in norcal. Does anyone know how much EMT-B to EMT-I training costs in nevada?

 

[Handsome Robb]

I'm hoping the opportunities in NV are better than in CA.. just like you I'm planning on going into NV if the going gets too tough over here in norcal. Does anyone know how much EMT-B to EMT-I training costs in nevada?

I wanna say mine was ~500$ at the agency that I work at now in Northern Nevada. I'll ask on Tuesday when I'm there for school and get an exact number.

We have been hiring like mad recently, which is unusual. The jobs are there you just have to do the leg work. I got hired with no EMS experience to a high-volume 911 service, although I did go to I school and am currently in P school through them along with a decent set of professional references.

In the rural areas they are always looking for people, the metro areas are a little bit tougher but still possible.

Like I told TreySpooner, don't hesitate to PM me with a specific question. That goes for anyone looking for info about Nevada EMS, I'm busy pulling 80-90 hours a week between school and work but I usually find time to be on here.

 

[TreySpooner65]

Were are you working out of?

 

[kguy18]

Hey TreySpooner65,

I was a Paramedic at AMR Las Vegas (recently relocated to Santa Clara County EMS) I worked out there for two years and had a blast! The private ambulance crews are in general nice and accepting, there is a little bit of the "good-old-boy" club when it comes to Paramedic field training and who you go through for your FTO time, BUT thats for a later topic...

Here is what I know first hand: AMR is contracted with Clark County (as well as Medic West) they respond with all three fire departments in Clark County those being Clark County Fire, Las Vegas City Fire Rescue, and North Las Vegas Fire. Who you respond with depends on what jurisdiction you are in. Also AMR/MW will mutual aid for each other so depending on who you end up working for you will sometimes run calls in the other company's zone (not really another company but a sister company as both AMR/MW are owned by EMSC) Transports are to one of 11 local hospitals, three are designated trauma centers, UMC Trauma is Level 1, Sunrise Trauma is Level 2 and St. Rose Sienna is a Level 3. All 911 providers in the county are ALS equipped, and AMR / MW split the county as NVRob mentioned above. He was also right about the ALS 911 unit staffing, the minimum per the county is 1 EMT-I and 1 Paramedic, EMT-B's can not run 911 calls with a Paramedic, EXCEPT if the Paramedic is an FTO or a Supervisor then they can make an exception, but it is extremely rare. Both AMR/MW have standby and inter-facility divisions that co-mingle with the 911 division, MW is usually hiring EMTs and AMR is usually hiring Paramedics, but your application is valid at both companies. I applied at MW initially and they turned my application over to AMR and they hired me.

What you have to look forward to if you choose to apply, (before I left I participated in new hire testing). As an EMT you will be run through a background check in addition to a few tests, a written cognitive knowledge test, two psychomotor skills tests modeled after the NREMT skills test, you had to pass this to get your EMT (medical/trauma scenarios), a physical agility test, and a drug test. Be professional and dress for an interview, T-shirts and shorts are frowned upon. Know your protocols and know your scope of practice. Always remember your ABCs, and don't be afraid to be agressive in your treatment.

Should you successfully complete all the testing you will be given an offer letter with starting wage, fulltime or parttime status and union info. When I left in October 2011 the starting wage for an EMT-B with no experience was in the $9/hr range. Keep in mind there is daily overtime, and OT after 40hrs in a week. You will then be assigned a preceptor usually a Paramedic but there are a few EMT-I's that precept as well. You will have 10 shifts to prove your competency and knowledge. During your training time you will treat patients, learn code3 operation, radio communications, mapping, and hospital destinations/routing/door codes. This is also the time you will want to learn the county as best as you can. Buying a GPS is a GREAT investment, I found I no longer needed it after about 3 months full time. Once you are released you will be cleared to pick up special events or inter-facility ILS shifts (you and an EMT-I partner). After you have been a FT employee for 6 months in good standing with no discipline and a satisfactory attendance record AMR will pay for your EMT-I school, but will require a 1 year work commitment after successful completion of the class and EMT-I internship. From there you can get a Paramedic school sponsorship through AMR...

Cost of living is cheap, I pay close to $0.50/gal more in gas here in Norcal then I did in Vegas. I am not sure where you were looking to live, but I lived two places during my two years there. I started out in Henderson (just south of Las Vegas) it was a 22 minute drive to work without traffic, and could be as long as 55 minutes depending on the time of year, the ever present construction, and the ridiculous amount of traffic generated by conventions and the like. I payed $375/month in Henderson to rent a room with utilities included back in 2009, I ended paying $400/month, and moved to Summerlin in mid 2011 and paid the same rent till I left in October, but cut my commute down to 8 minutes, totally worth it You can rent an apartment in good parts of town for 1b/1b $600 range.

I hope I have helped shed some light on the EMS system in Las Vegas, If you have more questions feel free to PM me and I can answer the best I can. Should you get hired with AMR and have any questions I know A LOT of people out there and can help you out.

 

[TreySpooner65]

Very awesome thank you! I have been invited to a skills assessment day in a week or so.

What would you suggest I brush up on for that? Will the interview be that same day?

I live in CA now and have a copy of Clark County protocols, but its quite long. I will read it, but is there anything I should focus on or know?

 

[kguy18]

EMT scope, study your NREMT sheets, literally the skills test is done off of that. As for the written test its akin to the registry test...

Not sure about the interview...

I see your in Ventura, CA.... I went to EMT school at Moorpark College in 07...small world eh?

 

[TreySpooner65]

EMT scope, study your NREMT sheets, literally the skills test is done off of that. As for the written test its akin to the registry test...

Not sure about the interview...

I see your in Ventura, CA.... I went to EMT school at Moorpark College in 07...small world eh?

Hey, small world :blush:

As for my NREMT Sheets, is that a specific thing? Or just general NREMT study guides?

 

[kguy18]

All EMT skills sheets. Focus on the medical/trauma sheets.

 

[TreySpooner65]

All EMT skills sheets. Focus on the medical/trauma sheets.

I still have mine from my EMT class. I'll whip those out.