My resume'

[EMTGuard]

Should I mention under Education that I have completed more than 30 FEMA Independent study courses?
-> http://www.geocities.com/cellblock776/femais.html
Or does bringing up home/self study not help?
They have benefited me in the past. I started taking them on a whim several years ago and then I got appointed by the Local Emergency Planning Committee to be the officer in charge of the Office Of Emergency Preparedness ham radio volunteer group (RACES). About a year later the OEP made several of the FEMA courses relating to ICS/NIMS mandatory for all members so I was already ahead of the curve.
After getting the Baton Rouge EMS Communications/911 job in Dec 2006, one of the requirements was to have the ICS/NIMS classes. Having the certificates in hand helped.
By the way, last week at the LEPC meeting my OEP director notified us that coming up in 2008 we will have to take 2 additional FEMA courses which are not yet available online. FEMA IS-300 and IS-400 are coming soon. Just when I thought I was running out of stuff to study.

[NRM_Oz]

YES. I mentioned my achievements with 1 firm our 9/11 response to the high risk alerts from our USA based clients in Australia. I wish I never had to use my training but can tell you it is important to show how you can take control when you need to be the boss. Alot of that training is not something anyone could learn over a weekend so I would used EVERY bit of training you have to make sure the next bloke is not going getting a run for YOUR new job.

[darkenna]

When you go to the job fair, maybe you can lean more towards the EMT side instead of security. In fact, what would it take for you to obtain you medic certification? Unarmed security is not going to serve you well as far as a good salary is concerned.

That's alright... EMS doesn't pay very well either. In fact, most EMTs and Medics with a few years experience make about half as much as entry-level nurses, with as much (on the part of EMT-Bs and EMT-Is) or twice as much (full EMT-As, or "paramedics") training/schooling. And the job is incredibly thankless.

[Mr. Security]

That's alright... EMS doesn't pay very well either. In fact, most EMTs and Medics with a few years experience make about half as much as entry-level nurses, with as much (on the part of EMT-Bs and EMT-Is) or twice as much (full EMT-As, or "paramedics") training/schooling. And the job is incredibly thankless.

What does a medic make in Louisiana?

[Mr. Security]

Okay, I keep seeing 14/hour when I Google it for Louisiana. EMTGuard has stated that he currently makes 10.50/hour. Maybe a nurse makes more - if that's what he wants. Still, 3.50/hour raise wouldn't hurt and since he is already an EMT, it shouldn't be too difficult.

[darkenna]

Sorry in advance for the rant...

Okay, I keep seeing 14/hour when I Google it for Louisiana. EMTGuard has stated that he currently makes 10.50/hour. Maybe a nurse makes more - if that's what he wants. Still, 3.50/hour raise wouldn't hurt and since he is already an EMT, it shouldn't be too difficult.

I don't know about LA's specific requirements--never been there (on a professional basis, anyway )--but in the states up here it takes 2 additional years of schooling to go from EMT-B to EMT-A (some places require a 4-yr degree on top of that). Basics make usually $11-$13, Medics make $13-$16. The cost of the required degree is between $10k & $30k (the Basic course is usually between $800 & $1200). And there isn't a single EMS company up here (that I know of) that'll pay for it; it's on your dime. And there's really nowhere "up" to go. You can't even get a nursing license if you're a medic without going back to school, even tho most medics already have more medical training than LPNs.

In contrast, LNAs usually start around $12-$15, LPNs $15-$30, and RNs can pull in $60k-$70k annually. And with the right company, you don't pay a single cent for the schooling; instead, the company pays you while you do it.

EMS is one of the most undervalued and underappreciated careers out there. They save lives daily without receiving any kudos or being recognized as heroes. They get covered--daily--with some of the most disgusting and hazardous things out there and continue to do the job without complaint. They work 24-hour shifts, sometimes without any breaks, and rarely call out. If something bad happens to you, they're there to help, no matter who you are, what you did, or what happened, without question. They deserve far more recognition than society wants to give them.

...

Sorry, this topic's just a pet peeve of mine. See, a cop pulls a drowning kid from icy water, EMS resuscitates him and gets him to a hospital, and the ER staff keeps him alive until he's better... the cop gets lauded as a hero, the doctors get credited as geniuses, and the two EMT-Bs go back to the station, change into dry clothes, hop in a fresh bus and head back out on the next call. It's depressing.

At least most people never blame EMS if the patient doesn't make it. It's the only plus out of not being recognized.

</rant>

[NRM_Oz]

I would have thought that EMT would be well paid seeing that these people are trained to provided medical care (not assistance) prior to stabilisation of patient and transportation OR can provide advanced care - leading to someone to attend a hospital or local doctor for further treatment.

As an industrial first aider filling in for 4 weeks on a building site, my 10 hour days consisted of checking crash boxes (emergency call boxes), checking who was on site as 1st aiders (usually foremen) and setting up my shop or office for business. I did bugger all to be honest apart from the bloke who put a spike through his leg (big kiwi bloke) and patching him up ready for the ambulance and advising of the nature of the injury and checking on his vitals and spending 4 hours in report writing.

This was a casual role (industrial hire company and colleague booked me) and I was on about $30.00 US / hr (company charging $60.00 US / hr). Now an RN would have been paid $40.00 US / hr (but might be technically 100 times more qualified than me but is not certified as a workplace safety auditor (safety) so is paid alot less and would have been charged out at $80.00 US / hr.

The ridiculous part, 2 day 1st aid course, 2 day O2 course, 1 day defib and 10 day industrial first aid (ie. reports and audits, etc). Apart from the 2 day course (3 year licence) the rest are 1 year courses but not worth me redoing again due to no longer travelling o/s with work.

No offence to you EMT guys, but I would have assumed you were all earning $20.00+ US / hr as you are specialists and take on more than a bloke with a box of bandaids. This is 1 area sadly neglected in fair wages.

[EMTGuard]

In summer of 2006 I applied for a job at Acadian Ambulance ( http://www.acadian.com/ ). This is one of the largest privately owned, most progressive ambulance services in the nation. They often are so short handed that they offer sign on bonuses for specific regions. At the time they were offering $5000 for the Baton Rouge area. I passed their personality and IQ tests and peed in a cup for their drug test and was offered a 24 hour shift in Baton Rouge. The recruiter explained how I could expect to bring home close to $40K a year. I wanted to know exactily what I'd be paid. After beating around the bush he finally said Starting pay was $7.18 an hour and in about 6 months I'd get $8 then after a year I'd be at about $9. So how do you get $40K a year making 9 bucks an hour? By never going home. You work your regular 24 hour shift and then when it's up they "ask" you to cover a 12 or 24 hour shift at another station. When I was in the Fire Department I worked alongside many Acadian EMTs. As one Security Officer/EMT who I work for likes to say, "If you have a crappy home life it's the perfect job because you never have to see your family". She was with Acadian for several years before injuring her back.
Many Casinos hire EMTs to work as Security Officers. They are not paid any better than I am. For example, click on https://www.hrapply.com/pngaming/App...t.jsp&op=reset and you will see a SO/EMT job advertised for a Hollywood Casino in Missoruri.

Job Description:

Administer first aid and life support when necessary. Report accidents and incidents in both written and verbal form. Perform routine duties of a uniformed security officer by escorting cash, chips, and tokens throughout the casino. Assist with boarding and ID checks.

Pay- $10.55 an hour.
That's about the rate for their casinos here in Louisiana also.
The Belle of Baton Rouge has this - http://www.belleofbatonrouge.com/employment/#353

Emergency Medical Technician Apply for this position

Provide for the protection of company assets and safety and security of guests and employees. Assist guests in every way possible in order to achieve the highest level of guest satisfaction. Must be able to perform EMT services for employees and guests as needed.

Must be at least 21 years of age and able to obtain a Louisiana Riverboat Gaming License. Must possess a CPR/AED card, and state and national EMT registration.

Dept: Security
Start Date: ASAP
Shift: All
Hours: PT/FT

I asked about pay rate. Starts at $9.50 an hour.

Now there is a Big difference in EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic levels. Basics like me only have about 120 hours of training and about 24 hours of clininicals required to take our National Registry exams. Paramedics have about 1500 hours of class time and many more clinical hours before getting to sit for their National exams.
Basic level is just that. Basic Life Saving (BLS) skills to take vitals, administer O2, Shock with AEDs, control breathing and bleeding and transporting to hospital. I've actually seen television commercials where an ambulance service, hiring EMT-Basics, refered to them as Paramedic Assistants.
Oz, I can guarantee that EMTs, except in rare cases, are not making anywhere near $20 an hour here.

[mjw064]

an EMT-B in the United States is little more than a bandaid pusher. they are limited to basic life support (oxygen, charcoal, epi-pens, oral glucose, splinting, bandaging, packaging), and thus the income is very low.

an EMT-P (Paramedic) in the United States is an Advanced Life Support provider and does initiate medical treatments (including front line cardiac drugs) and attempt to stabilize patients during transports. Paramedics generally make almost double what an EMT-B makes (at least here in the Washington DC region).

also, although the hourly wage of EMS providers may sound low, keep in mind that it is possible to work 24hr shifts in the EMS world, wherein you can expect to spend a nice portion of your shift sleeping. of course this means, that you can easily put in way more than 40 hours each week.

[EMTGuard]

I was talking to my Site Supervisor as I was relieving him yesterday evening. Regarding resumes he found one of those free resume builder programs on the internet. He used that to put together his first version of a resume. He then took that to work and when things slacked up some at the steel mill he walked over to the Human Resources building. There he talked to the lady who does the interviewing and hiring for the plant. She looked over his resume and offered advise to him on changes he should make.
He's getting his ducks in a row and preparing to jump ship soon also. There are going to be a bunch of new faces in the guard shack this summer.

[NRM_Oz]

That really shocks me EMT - as our ambulance officers (ambo's) are playing nurses when a hospital is full and patients are stuck on a stretcher waiting for admission. They deserve alot more money than they are paid and have indicated that most of them are willing to work the o/time but this is not goin to cover the shortfalls.

Salary wise, a Trainee Paradmedic starts on about $42k US + penalties (night, Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and o/time) and has 6 weeks A/L (due to shift work) + 2 weeks in lieu of public holidays. A trainee Transport Officer (moves patients from hospital to hospital) with a 4 week training course starts on $30k US plus penalties and the same leave arrangement.

I know there are different costs of living to be taken into consideration but someone who has spent years learning their trades should be rewarded for their extra study as it is something that I don't have nor does the bloke next to me. Shift allowances would make a huge difference in rewarding people.

[EMTGuard]

Just back from a job interview

I started my day with an 8am interview at a local chemical plant. I'm one of four people who were called back for 2nd interviews. There is one position open.
I think the interview went well. I spent about an hour answering questions gegarding various personality and professional issues. How have I dealt with certain issues, what have I been repremanded for in the past or what I like about my current job or don't like about it.
I brought a list of references for them to contact, Site Supervisor,the plant Facility Security Coordinator, etc...but they weren't interested in them perfering to depend on the evaluation questions they use.
My major concern was that between my first interview and the one I had today I suffered a attack of Bell's Palsy. So I was sitting there for an hour answering questions with the left side of my face all numb and droopy like I had just had a root canal. It was frustrating. I will be so glad when it clears up. I'm hoping this didn't hurt my interview too badly.
The job pays 50cents more an hour STARTING than my present job and is about 40 miles closer to my house.
I will know sometime tommorrow if I got the job or not.
Everyone wish me luck.

Steve

[NRM_Oz]

40 miles closer to home is going to be better for your wallet x 5 trips a week x twice a day. Less travel time and less gas (petrol) costs and even keeping your car lasting longer makes an impact. These are most of the things I take into consideration when I accept a new position as for a $10.00 / hr pay rise you may lose 3 hours of travel time per day and whilst 8 hour shifts are easy to finish, these little hidden costs bite into your time when you COULD be earning a bit of o/t if possible or at home away from work.

Looking forward to some good news from you tomorrow !!

[EMTGuard]

I got a call today from the site supervisor at the chemical plant where I applied. They gave the job to someone else. I'm told tat they keep applications for a year so I may have a shot at a position if another one opens up. I plan on sending a Thank you letter and hope to hear from them in the future.
I'm still looking for other positions. Earlier today I applied online for a Security position at an area hospital. I'm also looking for openings with various contract companies closer to home.