I have about a million questions...

[island emt]

X-ray Tech.

Fiznat, I'm definitely going to use my GI Bill. It's the main reason why I joined the Navy in the first place. I don't think I could live with myself if I got out and didn't use it!

X-ray technologist will have better pay, better hours, better benefits and better working conditions. Don't just limit your horizons there. Look into nuclear medicine as a more needy job tital. Even better pay, benefits, hours, more job openings.

Either way get the collage education and expand from there.

[MPLS]

Ok here is another question for you experts. This might be a relatively easy one. Besides the obvious (working for hospitals, fire departments) where are places that medics can get jobs at? I assume there are a number of work places that require having medics on staff such as ski resorts maybe? I'm just trying to brainstorm and see what kind of career opportunities there are.

[Lone Star]

Some options are:

Fire based EMS

Police based EMS

EMS based EMS (private carrier)

ER Technician (working in the ER)

Industrial EMS (manning a 'first-aid station, as say, in a factory/industrial setting)

[MPLS]

I assume ER Technicians would make the most out of those options. Is there extra schooling needed for that or is a EMT-P certification all you need?

[WelshMedic]

Join in the chat and maybe Brett and I can help

Brett, you want to pop in as well?

[speedygodzilla]

ER Tech really depends on the ER but most are just EMT-B, CNA, nursing students, etc. Paramedic would go above and beyond what is needed for ER Tech. Basically an ER Tech is the nurse's assistant in the ER. The pay was around $11 to $14, 3 years ago when I was a ER Tech. There are ERs in my area that will use Paramedics in the role of a nurse in ERs. It is rare but they are out there. You can do all the same things as a nurse except here in Missouri and possibly else where RNs must start blood products.

Other places you can work include just about anywhere they have on scene first aid or EMS including but not limited too: Factories, Amusement Parks, Water Parks/Pool, Zoo, Casino, etc. Just about anywhere they have EMS. Some of these are limited to EMT-B and work dual security. Most of the jobs are in an ambulance, fire truck, helicopter, or plane. Their are options.

Keep in mind if your thinking about working in the sky than you will have to get experience first. I am not sure of the years but I believe most require at least 5 years plus advanced classes.

Edited October 11, 2011 by speedygodzilla

[HellsBells]

If you want to make good pay as a paramedic, come work in Canada. Medics in the province of Alberta start at approx. $30/hr.

Of course, this may be more of a move than youre willing to make. But, if you're interested check out this website...

collegeofparamedics.org

[scollins1191]

I am new to this as well so I don`t have much insight to give but I know that here in the suburbs of Chicago the EMT-B course is offered through my community college but classes are at the hospital.

As for tattoos, it really does depend on the company or department`s policy. They are different everywhere you go. I was at a fire house for an assignment and that was one of the first things I asked (i have a tattoo on my forearm) and their policy was no visible tattoos. The FF i talked said to not let that discourage me from applying there or anywhere else. I know some places want you to where sleeves year round or have a skin colored sleeve over it.

I know its not that much info but hope it helps, good luck!

[AZCEP]

Thank you for your service.

That out of the way, let me make a couple comments. Your current MOS might help you in meeting some of the requirements for a paramedic program. You might want to contact the MN certifying agency to find out. NREMT might also be able to give you some direction with this.

You will not have an easy time finding a hospital-based program that will accept the GI bill for payment. The benefit to the facility doesn't justify having the administrative expense to make sure everything is in place for it. The facility that I taught for tried to fulfill the requirements a few years ago, and it just didn't prove to be worthwhile for us. I can't imagine it has gotten any easier in the last 3 or so years.

If you are unable to start until May 2012, you will likely need to find an accredited program. As I understand things currently, the easiest way to achieve accreditation is to be a college/university. The costs of becoming one of the selected few is probably going to keep hospital programs from pursuing it very rigorously, though I hope I'm wrong.

Good luck to you in the meantime.

[DwayneEMTP]

Ok here is another question for you experts. This might be a relatively easy one. Besides the obvious (working for hospitals, fire departments) where are places that medics can get jobs at? I assume there are a number of work places that require having medics on staff such as ski resorts maybe? I'm just trying to brainstorm and see what kind of career opportunities there are.

I'm about 40 miles south of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyu_Tolgoi_mine But you might want to think this one through a bit before making the leap... :- )

Dwayne