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I did my best to search through pages, but I can't see that anyone else had quite the same situation. Likewise, it was tough to use the search feature because I don't really know what keywords I'd use. I'll try to be brief and we'll see if I can't get some help.

Hey there, I'm from Northern Ohio. I'm not in the medical field. I go to college online because of finances, and also because for my degree (technology), it doesn't make a difference. Because of this, I have extra time on my hands. I'd love to work a job that can make a difference while going to school, and one that I can even do when I'm done with school. If I knew I was helping people, no matter how tough it was, that would be something, even if it were small and I was transporting nursing home residents, that's something.

I've been lurking these forums and others, I think I have at least a basic understanding of what is (and isn't) involved in basic EMS as a newcomer, as far as I don't have lofty expectations where they shouldn't be.

Before enrolling in Computer Science, I often wondered about Medical, but mostly because of schooling costs and my family situation, I decided against it. Since then though, I've always had an interest in EMS. My local community college offers EMT-Basic training over a small period of time (Maybe a semester or two I think?), and it's very financially feasible.

It seems like many people do EMS while in school planning to go forward into medicine, but what I want to know is, while I'm working on a non-medical major planning to one day hold a job in that major, is it viable to get an EMT-Basic cert. and work that as well, part time? The thought of sitting at a desk and not seeing that I make a difference is haunting.

The flexibility of hours would be great, but honestly I can be as flexible as need be. I'm willing to volunteer, and I'm not looking to make a lot of money.

Any kind of input would be helpful, I can explain further if I didn't shed enough light on my situation. Thanks in advance!

Jon
 
At one of my old jobs, we had a part time EMT who also worked as a chemical engineer full time. Our volunteers also came from wide background, including one who ran and sold his own tech startup. So it is a totally doable idea, regardless of background.

If you have a local volunteer ambulance or fire department that provides EMS, I would inquire about joining. Many will pay for your EMT class if you are a member.
 
Sure. People do it all the time. It's not like it's a huge time investment, an EMT course can be completed in as short as 2 weeks (depending on where you take the course). The average is 6 to 8 weeks.
 
I know tons of people who have degrees or work in other proffessions and function as a EMT-B.

a former co-worker of mine worked as a maintenance mechanic full time and EMT-B was his play money, to boot he enjoyed doing it said he wouldve made a career out of it but couldn't manage to live off of the salary

The volunteer option is always open when you finish school on start working in your desired career.

EMT-B as DEMedic stated is a short course that could take 2-4 weeks everyday. Or as much as one college semester about 3 months. 2 nights a week is the average around here.
 
Everything I'm aware of in Ohio is around 3-4 months long, a few nights a week.

Sign up for an EMT course. Even if you decide never to go into EMS, it provides wonderful, basic life saving skills that are simple and easy to remember. It will enrich your life and possibly save the lives of those around you.

While you're in EMT school, you'll learn a lot about the wide variety of jobs and volunteer work available in your area. It is definitely feasible to work or volunteer in EMS while you're in school, and you can definitely continue volunteering once you're out of school and in your new career field. Many companies are fine with you leaving work now and then to volunteer, because it also means that they have a professional rescuer available if they need one, and they aren't even paying you for it. Obviously policies vary widely by company, but you'll find one or two that you can work with.
 
I had a partner the other day that is working on her bachelor's. She plans to go to medical school and become a doctor. She works part time as a EMT-B. She loves it. It's like an introduction into her career.
 
Getting through EMT-B school is totally possible while working another full time job or doing online classes. The -B program I took was through a local community college that offered the class either daytime 1-5 (it usually only lasted til 4 or so) on Mondays & Wednesdays or evenings 5-9 on Mondays & Wednesdays for one semester. The cost was around $800. A couple of the local hospital systems also host their own EMT-B courses. They usually meet on evenings and/or weekends for 3-4-ish months. Costs are about $600-$700 for the hospital programs.

I found the class to be interesting and challenging, though not rocket science. I really think that anyone with a high school level education CAN learn the material, if they put a little effort and concentration into it. The people in my class who struggled were the people who didn't seem to care to study much at all outside of class.
 
notluK said:
I did my best to search through pages, but I can't see that anyone else had quite the same situation. Likewise, it was tough to use the search feature because I don't really know what keywords I'd use. I'll try to be brief and we'll see if I can't get some help.

Hey there, I'm from Northern Ohio. I'm not in the medical field. I go to college online because of finances, and also because for my degree (technology), it doesn't make a difference. Because of this, I have extra time on my hands. I'd love to work a job that can make a difference while going to school, and one that I can even do when I'm done with school. If I knew I was helping people, no matter how tough it was, that would be something, even if it were small and I was transporting nursing home residents, that's something.

I've been lurking these forums and others, I think I have at least a basic understanding of what is (and isn't) involved in basic EMS as a newcomer, as far as I don't have lofty expectations where they shouldn't be.

Before enrolling in Computer Science, I often wondered about Medical, but mostly because of schooling costs and my family situation, I decided against it. Since then though, I've always had an interest in EMS. My local community college offers EMT-Basic training over a small period of time (Maybe a semester or two I think?), and it's very financially feasible.

It seems like many people do EMS while in school planning to go forward into medicine, but what I want to know is, while I'm working on a non-medical major planning to one day hold a job in that major, is it viable to get an EMT-Basic cert. and work that as well, part time? The thought of sitting at a desk and not seeing that I make a difference is haunting.

The flexibility of hours would be great, but honestly I can be as flexible as need be. I'm willing to volunteer, and I'm not looking to make a lot of money.

Any kind of input would be helpful, I can explain further if I didn't shed enough light on my situation. Thanks in advance!

Jon
Click to expand...

I'm a long time software engineer living in a cubicle farm (computer science degree) who opted to go EMS in lieu of a masters. I've been volunteering as an EMT and Paramedic for the last 5 years. You'll fit right in!

EMT school is pretty easy to do, and eventually you'll find it to be lacking (especially if you're a self driven learner like most compsci folks I know). At that point you'll go off and become a Paramedic :)
 
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