Also in Michigan, considering getting into EMS

[MattW]

Hello,

I'm glad I found this site. I guess I might be unusual among people considering going into EMS. I am 29, and since graduating high school, I got an undergrad degree and went to law school, practiced as a lawyer for less than a year, and found out it wasn't for me, I returned to school to get my teaching certificate, worked as a substitute teacher for a year and now teach middle school, and am also not happy. A friend of mine suggested I go to EMS academy last summer (when I was still looking, apparently in vain, for teaching jobs), and lately, I haven't been able to shake the thought. I like the idea of helping people, as well as the excitement and variety of things I will see during an EMS shift. I must also say, though, that the idea of a workday that has a definite start-and-end time, even if extremely long, is appealing to me. I am not squeamish and also am focused and confident that I can complete the program. I understand the pay is low, especially to begin. I guess my main questions are?

1) Will completing the EMT program at a community college truly prepare me for what I am going to be expected to do as an EMT?

2) What are job prospects for EMT's in the metro Detroit area?

3) How out of place am I going to be in this field, given my age and background?

4) Is it practice for ambulance companies to offer ride-alongs to those considering entering a program, or is that something that is done once you are in?

If anyone has any answers to the above, I would truly appreciate it. I look forward to participating more in this forum.

[Lone Star]

Hello,

I'm glad I found this site. I guess I might be unusual among people considering going into EMS. I am 29, and since graduating high school, I got an undergrad degree and went to law school, practiced as a lawyer for less than a year, and found out it wasn't for me, I returned to school to get my teaching certificate, worked as a substitute teacher for a year and now teach middle school, and am also not happy. A friend of mine suggested I go to EMS academy last summer (when I was still looking, apparently in vain, for teaching jobs), and lately, I haven't been able to shake the thought. I like the idea of helping people, as well as the excitement and variety of things I will see during an EMS shift. I must also say, though, that the idea of a workday that has a definite start-and-end time, even if extremely long, is appealing to me. I am not squeamish and also am focused and confident that I can complete the program. I understand the pay is low, especially to begin. I guess my main questions are?

1) Will completing the EMT program at a community college truly prepare me for what I am going to be expected to do as an EMT?

2) What are job prospects for EMT's in the metro Detroit area?

3) How out of place am I going to be in this field, given my age and background?

4) Is it practice for ambulance companies to offer ride-alongs to those considering entering a program, or is that something that is done once you are in?

If anyone has any answers to the above, I would truly appreciate it. I look forward to participating more in this forum.

I'm going to presume that you're thinking of attending OCC or WCCC?

The EMT-B program through a community college is going to be pretty much the same no matter where you go.

Any idea which company you're planning on applying to after completion?

I used to work in the Metro area, so I know a couple things....

LS

[HERBIE1]

Hello,

I'm glad I found this site. I guess I might be unusual among people considering going into EMS. I am 29, and since graduating high school, I got an undergrad degree and went to law school, practiced as a lawyer for less than a year, and found out it wasn't for me, I returned to school to get my teaching certificate, worked as a substitute teacher for a year and now teach middle school, and am also not happy. A friend of mine suggested I go to EMS academy last summer (when I was still looking, apparently in vain, for teaching jobs), and lately, I haven't been able to shake the thought. I like the idea of helping people, as well as the excitement and variety of things I will see during an EMS shift. I must also say, though, that the idea of a workday that has a definite start-and-end time, even if extremely long, is appealing to me. I am not squeamish and also am focused and confident that I can complete the program. I understand the pay is low, especially to begin. I guess my main questions are?

1) Will completing the EMT program at a community college truly prepare me for what I am going to be expected to do as an EMT?

2) What are job prospects for EMT's in the metro Detroit area?

3) How out of place am I going to be in this field, given my age and background?

4) Is it practice for ambulance companies to offer ride-alongs to those considering entering a program, or is that something that is done once you are in?

If anyone has any answers to the above, I would truly appreciate it. I look forward to participating more in this forum.

Attorney to EMS? That'll be a pay cut, but I guess you can't put a price on happiness. After you are in the business for awhile, maybe combine the 2 careers? We always need more legal experts in the field.

Anyway as Lone Star said, we have a few former and current Detroit area folks who could point you in the right direction.

Out of place? Not at all. Folks of all ages are doing this job- some new, some older, but 29 is NOT old for the profession.

Many places DO offer ride alongs for civilians- just ask. Usually all it takes is signing a waiver.

Welcome to the city, and good luck.

[Lone Star]

Folks of all ages are doing this job- some new, some older, but 29 is NOT old for the profession.

Herbie's right,

I was 28 when I got into the Fire Department, and I was 30 when I started EMT classes (the first time). I'm now 46 and working on my Associates Degree in paramedicine.

[MattW]

I'm going to presume that you're thinking of attending OCC or WCCC?

The EMT-B program through a community college is going to be pretty much the same no matter where you go.

Any idea which company you're planning on applying to after completion?

I used to work in the Metro area, so I know a couple things....

LS

I called all the companies I could find in the Detroit area last summer...none said they were hiring. Now I am told by a friend in the business (Who used to work for Universal, and is now at a hospital) that companies are hiring now, but according to the websites only Community EMS is announcing openings for EMT-B's. I'm not going to start a program until this summer...so there is some time. Do some Detroit-area companies have better reputations than others?

[Lone Star]

I called all the companies I could find in the Detroit area last summer...none said they were hiring. Now I am told by a friend in the business (Who used to work for Universal, and is now at a hospital) that companies are hiring now, but according to the websites only Community EMS is announcing openings for EMT-B's. I'm not going to start a program until this summer...so there is some time. Do some Detroit-area companies have better reputations than others?

Send me an offline message with all the companies you've contacted, and I'll fill you in on what I know

LS