Gold Five

Thank you for your responses. sympathomedic, how many hours a week do you work at Empress? Do they do 24 hour shifts? Is OT worked into the shifts for full time employees? Or are they only scheduled for 40 hours?

I am close to finishing up my EMT class and hope to get a job working for an agency like MLSS in the next 6 months or so. I will also begin riding as a volunteer with a VAC after my class is over. I currently work for a department store as a loss prevention supervisor and I hate it. I have been doing LP for 8 years and am beyond done with it. I have been interested in getting involved in EMS for a very long time and one day just woke up and decided to take the class. I have been doing really well in the class and am really looking forward to begin working on a rig (Even as a volly to start.) If I do well as an EMT for a couple of years, I would like to go for my paramedic cert. My question is, how many people make a long term career out of EMS? I know MLSS starts out new EMTs at around $11.50 and they work 48 hours a week. My take home pay would not be much less than I make now, so I'm not too worried about the starting pay. Do many people genuinely enjoy working EMS? Most of the stuff I read online talks about how its an awful job and to stay away. I don't know if that's how most EMS workers are or just ones that are jaded (Every profession has them.) I have a genuine interest in EMS, its not something I am doing just because I'll take any job that comes along. I am looking for honest insight on the subject. Thank you in advance to anyone that takes the time to read this and respond. P.S. when it comes to pay raises in EMS, how much is usually given? I am so used to getting $0.10-$0.15/hr raises in retail that I have no clue how raises work in other professions.

Yeah, now that TOWVAC is ALS, they have an EMStar medic ride with their paid crew. EMStar also runs ALS backup for the town if needed.

Thanks for the responses. I know better than to spend my money as if OT is part of regular steady income. I have a friend who got way in over his head in debt doing that. I would gladly work for a VAC, I just heard its easier to get on with a commercial EMS agency until I get some experience.

I hear ya. First things first.

Thanks for the reply. I remember that thread from a few months ago, lots of good info there. However, right now I am most curious about how much OT is realistically available for a new guy.

I am taking my EMT B course now and am taking the state written and practicals in June. What are my chances of getting hired full time by any of the commercial EMS agencies in the Hudson Valley with no experience? I have no problem doing transports until I have put in enough time to work on a 911 rig. I know I am more than likely looking at $11.00 to start, but how much OT can a newbie expect? I know MLSS full timers work 4 12 hour shifts a week but I have heard from people in my class that some guys work an extra 12 hour shift every week. I value the info from my classmates but most of them are volunteers. I am looking for info from any paid EMTs. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Just curious, what does MLSS pay their EMT-Bs to start and how much does the pay go up over time?