South Carolina EMS
- Thread starter Fish
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From what I saw, stability was an issue - these organizations were very "clicky," and I witnessed a lot of back stabbing. Your partner will smile and joke with you, and then throw you right under the bus the second you're out of earshot. I used to irritate people by asking why they don't say these things to their face?
It's also a true right-to-work state. Here in VA it's also right-to-work, but we have the IAFF, so we do have decent protection through political connections and influence. In SC, you really are on your own. They say jump, you had better ask how high.
As far as pay, IDK about Columbia, but outside of Charleston, everyone pays crap except for Colleton County (combined fire/EMS).
Personally, I wouldn't work long term for a place that starts in the $30's and tops at $60k or less. 28 years to get 50% of less than $60k is not much to retire on.
As far as nursing, in 2007 I recall new RN's getting around $25/hr at MUSC. That hospital also (on the down-low) recruited burned out CCEMS medics for $17.25/hr IIRC, three 12 hour shifts/week. If CCEMS burns you out, perhaps you could go FT at MUSC and drop to per diem at CC. Roper's also a good choice.
Medicnextdoor
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Life is pretty good in Charleston
Down South (actually East but if you look at the state, you'll understand), it's pretty good. they used to have alot of forced overtime but they just hired 16 floaters and force is almost non-existent. In service training is overtime pay, plus holiday pay, 12 and 24 hour shift.
We have all of the toys (12 lead, CPAP, RSI, electric stretchers) and the medics and EMTS you work with are great. We had our annual EMS week picnic at a great place with swimming, horses, great for the family. All the families came out.
MUSC is the trauma center. They have their ER residents riding with us now. Great educational opportunities. We have about 7 other hospitals. they have snacks and cokes for us in our room - something Ive never seen at other places. We get along great and they like us.
FD won't take over because they are all state fire districts and too separate from each other. EMS has been in existance since 1983 (that's what our patch says anyhow) and from what I can see isn't going anywhere.
I've heard from friends of layoffs and stuff. None here. They just hired eight more to fill various slots (a few were from promotions and one went to med school). Most that leave go to the Medical school here. We even have a doctor working here for the holidays (he worked as a Crew Chief).
We had one of our crew get injured around 2 AM and I was impressed that the EMS director and his assistant both came down to the ER to make sure we were ok.
I don't hunt so I can't help you there. I do play golf and there are plenty of places to do that. Our house cost $154K for a 3/2, 2000 square feet. We don't live in Charleston as housing is more expensive but there are towns very close to Charleston where lots of folks live. Lots of bargains there.
Boeing aircraft is building their 787 in a new plant. Three different beaches. We get along with all the fire departments. All do a great job of firest response. Both our medical directors come to every in service. They teach quite a few and are good at it. we have their personal cell phone to call them if we have any questions. Very personable.
I have about 8 years in EMS and don't plan on going anywhere. This place is really perfect in lots of ways. Especially if you want to use your paramedic skills and have the best tools and best crews. The folks that are here are great!
Hope that helps.
Down South (actually East but if you look at the state, you'll understand), it's pretty good. they used to have alot of forced overtime but they just hired 16 floaters and force is almost non-existent. In service training is overtime pay, plus holiday pay, 12 and 24 hour shift.
We have all of the toys (12 lead, CPAP, RSI, electric stretchers) and the medics and EMTS you work with are great. We had our annual EMS week picnic at a great place with swimming, horses, great for the family. All the families came out.
MUSC is the trauma center. They have their ER residents riding with us now. Great educational opportunities. We have about 7 other hospitals. they have snacks and cokes for us in our room - something Ive never seen at other places. We get along great and they like us.
FD won't take over because they are all state fire districts and too separate from each other. EMS has been in existance since 1983 (that's what our patch says anyhow) and from what I can see isn't going anywhere.
I've heard from friends of layoffs and stuff. None here. They just hired eight more to fill various slots (a few were from promotions and one went to med school). Most that leave go to the Medical school here. We even have a doctor working here for the holidays (he worked as a Crew Chief).
We had one of our crew get injured around 2 AM and I was impressed that the EMS director and his assistant both came down to the ER to make sure we were ok.
I don't hunt so I can't help you there. I do play golf and there are plenty of places to do that. Our house cost $154K for a 3/2, 2000 square feet. We don't live in Charleston as housing is more expensive but there are towns very close to Charleston where lots of folks live. Lots of bargains there.
Boeing aircraft is building their 787 in a new plant. Three different beaches. We get along with all the fire departments. All do a great job of firest response. Both our medical directors come to every in service. They teach quite a few and are good at it. we have their personal cell phone to call them if we have any questions. Very personable.
I have about 8 years in EMS and don't plan on going anywhere. This place is really perfect in lots of ways. Especially if you want to use your paramedic skills and have the best tools and best crews. The folks that are here are great!
Hope that helps.
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Yes, I remember that the in-service was 6 hours a month (Charleston County), given on three seperate days, but there was the threat of forced OT on the one or two days you could go. Then what do you do? Glad to hear they stopped the forced OT problem. That was a major source of burnout. You see, since we were made available the second we arrived at the hospital, we often had to run a call well before finishing our report. Then, you have several unfinished reports to do and it's now 2300 hrs or later. Then get posted at 0200 for an hour or so, and then get screwed for another 12-24 hours after shift. They would call me at home an hour or two after shift and tell me to come back to work, so I got wise and told them that I had a few drinks in me. This wasn't the two 12 hour blocks we were mandated to be available for recall twice monthly for no stipend, mind you. The software was garbage too, and I've used several ePCR systems since then, so I have a decent reference.
Anyway, I had great experiences with North Charleston FD, Charleston City, St. John's, Mt. Pleasant, and especially James Island, Smiley and the gang. I got along with most everyone at CCEMS, as far as I know, except the two Crew Chiefs I worked with, who I thought things were going well with, but I discovered they were throwing me under the bus when I wasn't present.
If it weren't for the lousy reporting software that kept me up late, the holdovers, the two 12 hour mandatory recalls monthly for no additional on-call pay, frequent overnight postings, and if they had a kelly day with their 24/48, it would have been a much better place. The supervisors treated me really well, and we definitely had all the tools to do our jobs well. The pay could have been better, but they pay the best for EMS in SC from what I remember.
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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Ok, bumping this for an update. I'm looking into moving to SC (close to wife's parents) and need some help. I'm also looking at Texas, but I'm trying to nail down my options and find a good fit for myself. I'm specifically looking at Richland county, but if there is somewhere better I'd be open to it.
Questions:
1. How is the pay? I'm just looking for a concrete(ish) number.
2.Any management/operations issues (mandatory holdovers or unsupportive management)
3. Protocols look good, but how much leeway for decisions do you have?
4. Double medic or medic/basic?
Also looking at Greenville, Spartanburg, and charleston counties. Are they any better in these categories?
Questions:
1. How is the pay? I'm just looking for a concrete(ish) number.
2.Any management/operations issues (mandatory holdovers or unsupportive management)
3. Protocols look good, but how much leeway for decisions do you have?
4. Double medic or medic/basic?
Also looking at Greenville, Spartanburg, and charleston counties. Are they any better in these categories?
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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Submitted to Lexington county today. We'll see how it goes.
medictinysc
Forum Crew Member
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your bump
I work for Medshore Ambulance Service been here approximately 3 years. I won't go anywhere else. It is located in the Anderson, SC area. We have 3 divisions, Anderson, Greenville, Columbia. Anderson is the busiest with majority 911 and some IFT. Greenville and Columbia both have mainly IFT. I earn a good salary more than most local EMS. I have good benefiets fixing to be better. I work a 24/72 but we have 12 days/nights, 8 days and part-time. We have IST for recertification 401K too many things to list
I work for Medshore Ambulance Service been here approximately 3 years. I won't go anywhere else. It is located in the Anderson, SC area. We have 3 divisions, Anderson, Greenville, Columbia. Anderson is the busiest with majority 911 and some IFT. Greenville and Columbia both have mainly IFT. I earn a good salary more than most local EMS. I have good benefiets fixing to be better. I work a 24/72 but we have 12 days/nights, 8 days and part-time. We have IST for recertification 401K too many things to list
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into it.
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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Applied to Richland County today, as it looks like South Carolina may be my wife's best bet for a job. Will be filling a few others out tomorrow for the central SC area. Hopefully something sticks.
medictinysc
Forum Crew Member
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Good luck medshore has a Columbia division too
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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So far: Richland, Lexington, and Laurens counties. I'll be adding Sumter, Orangeburg, maybe Aiken, and others if I can find some within a decent driving distance of columbia that are hiring.
No one has hired yet?
Piedmont EMS in Rock Hill pays very well. It would be about an hour drive from Columbia (depending on which side of columbia your on). There are some pro's and con's to working there (as with anywhere) but I have heard this place is generally more political then others. It is a private 9-1-1 service run by the hospital in Rock Hill. It covers all of York County
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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None so far, may just be bad timing.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll check it out.
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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Np, if your serious let me know before you put an application in.h34r:
PM sent
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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Apps submitted to Lexington, Richland, Orangeburg, Laurens, and Calhoun counties as of yesterday. I doubt I'll hear for a couple of weeks though.
Wheel
Forum Asst. Chief
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My phone has been blowing up today. Orangeburg and Laurens counties both left voicemails while I was busy, and Lexington county has me scheduled for an interview on July 26.
Best of luck!