Need Experience

[Babalu]

I'm a brand spankin' new EMT-B, and i'm affiliated with a very small department that gets 100 calls a year so i'm trying to get more experience. Aside from private ambulances, can I be affiliated with more than one department, and can I work with a dept. if I don't live in that city? Also, if I wanted to do ride alongs, would full time departments be ok with or can they even let me perform my scope of practice with them? Lastly, I just got my transition course certificate, then I can take my protocol test and THEN send it off for my state license: can I still operate as an EMT in any capacity before getting it, like on ride alongs or with my department?

My EMS coordinator told me I had to wait for my license, but then my Captain told me because of the circumstances (i'm usually available) when we get a call, they'll put me to work.

 

[Shishkabob]

All depends on your departments policies on ALL those questions, so your best bet is to ask them. Some don't want you with another agency, some don't care. Some will let you do stuff as a ride along, and some won't. Some places have residency requirements and others do not. You will not get a straight answer for any of those points as every place is variable.



Without knowing what state you're in, I can almost guarantee you that you'll need state certification before you can practice as an EMT.

 

[JPINFV]

Aside from private ambulances, can I be affiliated with more than one department, and can I work with a dept. if I don't live in that city?

Depends on the policies of the departments. Some municipal departments have residency requirements, some don't. Similarly, some agencies allow outside work, others don't. The biggest problems with coordinating two work places (especially when you have a good chance of being held over) is that being late to one place because you [insert anything to do with other place of work] isn't going to fly. Similarly, what happens during a disaster when both places recall you during an emergency? It isn't a problem for a lot of people who do work 2 jobs, but like residency, it's an internal policy that will be different from company to company.

Also, if I wanted to do ride alongs, would full time departments be ok with or can they even let me perform my scope of practice with them? Lastly, I just got my transition course certificate, then I can take my protocol test and THEN send it off for my state license: can I still operate as an EMT in any capacity before getting it, like on ride alongs or with my department?

This also depends on a lot of things. Can you operate as a fully licensed/certified EMT prior to getting your state card? No. Additionally, since you aren't an EMT student anymore, you don't fall under the student exemption [i.e. students are allowed to utilize the full scope of practice for the level they are working towards when supervised by someone of that level or higher during the educational process]. Can you replace crew members? No. Will your agency allow you to do ride alongs? Maybe, you need to contact them and ask. What can you do during the ride alongs legally? I'm honestly not sure since the majority of what an EMT-B does is basic first aid. Regardless of the legalities will the licensed crew members allow you do do anything other than observe? Maybe.

 

[Babalu]

I'm in New Hampshire. I asked my Chief already and he told me didn't care, so I guess i'm curious how departments might react, if I ask about going on ride alongs or training with them, even though i'm with another department, but I want to work with their's also, because mine is slow...

 

[JPINFV]

Training shouldn't be a problem. Heck, if a service wants to allow someone from the general public who has never taken any health care courses to attend and participate in a training session, then that's their prerogative.