Austin / Round Rock TX medics?

[tommytrauma]

Hey all,

I'm a NREMT-P in Wisconsin, investigating a possible move to the Austin Tx. area. Hoping someone here can fill me in on services in the area, whether TX will accept my nat reg, etc. I'd appreciate any info anyone has to offer.

Tom

[JakeEMTP]

Welcome Tom.

I'm not from Texas, however there is a plethora of Texans here. I believe there are a few who work for Austin Travis EMS, which my understanding is THE service to work for in Texas.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Unfortunately, anything I could offer would be speculation and hearsay.

[spenac]

If I understand correctly if you are current NR all you have to do is send the ap with money and NR card and should be good to go.

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/sreciplp.shtm

A person currently certified by the National registry or certified or licensed as a paramedic in another state, who meets academic requirements may apply for licensure. If you do not meet academic requirements, you may be eligible for paramedic certification by reciprocity. The procedure for paramedic certification by reciprocity is significantly different from paramedic licensure reciprocity, read EMS Reciprocity Certification.

Academic Requirements for Paramedic Licensure Reciprocity

A certified paramedic can apply for initial Paramedic Licensure if you meet one of the following:

1. an associate degree in EMS;

2. a baccalaureate degree; or

3. a post graduate degree

The degree must be from a school that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an approved accrediting authority.

Application Procedure

Be at least 18 years old

Complete Paramedic Licensure Reciprocity

Fee

Copy of current EMS ID card

College transcript or a copy of diploma

Mail COMPLETE package to: Texas Department of State Health Services, Attn: ZZ100-160 EMS, Austin, TX 78756-3199.

After verification of your certification/license, your Texas license and ID card will be issued for a 4 year period. A certification verification web page is available for certification status and expiration date verification. The URL address is: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/NewCert.shtm Expect application processing to be completed within 4-6weeks of mail date.

If your application is incomplete or does not include all the required attachments, your application processing will be delayed..

[bigj1130]

Austin Round Rock Area Huh? Let me see, you could apply at Austin Travis County EMS, My opinion the best service I have worked for and where I plan to ride out my career. You can check them out at atcems.org. There is also Williamson County EMS which is a fairly large county based third service that last I heard is about 25 paramedics short staffed. Check out jems.com for their web address. in this area there is also acadian which is transfer only and AMR which is basically transfer only. There is also Guardian EMS which does the 911 for Bastrop County which is the county east of Travis county. South of Austin there is San Marcos/Hays County EMS. Not Sure about their staffing needs at present.

In Regards to your license Texas takes the NR reciprocity with your fee which I believe for a paramedic is $136. All of that information from Spenac is correct for your license.

If you have any other questions regarding the area feel free to drop me a pm and if you are down here you can schedule an observation ride with Austin also. Let me know if you want to do that and I can help you schedule that.

Also to answer what Jake Emt said, I am not going to stroke my own ego or my departments ego. The system has received several awards and in 2006 also received an award for the model 3rd service. As I said I am exceptionally happy here and plan to ride it out all the way to pension. Like other systems we have our problems and we also have our high points. Like I said feel free to ask anything you might want to know.

If your interested you can also see our Medical director website at ATCOMD.org. the site has our protocols and other info posted. Good Luck with relocating and let me know if I can help you with anything

[tommytrauma]

Thanks guys.

Bigj, I may well be taking you up on your offer. Looks like I'll be taking a recon trip that way in a few weeks. Considering it's 5 degrees here currently, wish I were going today.

[Dustdevil]

Considering it's 5 degrees here currently, wish I were going today.

Ha... well I don't know what you've heard about Texas weather, but let me just suggest that you do not leave your winter clothes at home. We're only about 15 degrees ahead of you.