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Yes, spelling is important, and grammar.... (double negative) And immediate responses are tough because EMS tends to be populated by individuals who work lots of hours. I worked for Rural/Metro in Lexington,KY. Our biggest competitor (for transfers and such) was AMR. They had nicer equipment, better uniforms and more vehicles. One thing I always noticed was that the nurses were always telling us that they liked Rural/Metro more. Just because we were nicer to them and to our patients. All private services tend to be focused on $$$ but remember, that does not stop YOU from providing quality compassionate care to your patients. If they try to push you to do otherwise... attempt reform from within. When it comes to patient care, the correct action is pretty clear. Treat them with respect, follow your protocols, and document thoroughly. These are things you should be doing regardless of working 911 or private. YOU are the face of the company to the patient. Good luck in whatever you choose.

There is a lot of negativity on this forum towards AMR, and usually most of it comes from people who have never worked for the company. I've worked for AMR for six years, and I'll give you my honest opinion. First, you need to know that the working experience at AMR is going to vary widely depending on where in the country you work. AMR is a large corporation that sets up divisions all over the country, and those divisions are largely locally managed. In some areas of the country, AMR does mostly transfer work, in other areas they hold the PSA for primary 911 response. In some areas it is a really terrible and negative place to work, and in others it is the best service in the region. It really depends where you are. There are some negatives to working for a large company like AMR. The company is by it's private nature profit-driven. That means that there will always be some tension between the employees and management over pay and benefits, and there will always be a little bit of a conflict of interest when balancing emergency work and interfacility transports. My experience is also that the equipment isn't always as top-of-the-line as it is at some volunteer or municipal services. That said, working for a large company has it's benefits. FEMA has contracted with AMR to provide EMS services in the event of national disasters, and as a regular road medic I have had the opportunity to fly all over the country to work. I went to hurricane Katrina and Dean, and I'll be ready to go again if something happens again. That is an exciting opportunity you don't get everywhere. On a more local level, AMR has contracted with large local concert venues and sports facilities, which means I get to do EMS coverage at events like Ozzfest, Warped Tour, professional sports events and shows. I've been backstage at at more major events than I can count, and it was AMR that has given me that opportunity. AMR contracts with local towns around the city, and offers it's employees a really diverse choice of working experiences. I can work as a fly-car medic with volunteers if I like, on an ambulance in the city, or as an intercept medic in a fire-based system. A smaller company would not be able to offer me all of that choice. Even with those opportunities, AMR paramedics and EMTs enjoy some of the highest wages in the state. As far as the day to day management, I will admit that it sometimes sucks. AMR seems to like hiring middle managers that take the job for the wrong reasons, or are otherwise under qualified. There is often a lot of frustration here about day to day things like scheduling, dispatch, and paperwork. Recently my division has been cutting the number of ambulances on the road, which has caused a lot of frustration and anger. That said, this company for the most part allows us to get in our trucks and go out for the day to work EMS on our own terms. Despite the frustrations that do exist, I really feel like I am in charge of how my day goes, and I am allowed to make individual decisions regarding my scenes and my patient care. If you are interested in working at AMR, my advice to you would be to seek advice locally. The experience will vary widely depending on where you are, and only people in the system will be able to tell you how things really are. Don't give up on the company though just because it is large and private. I am very happy that I chose to work for AMR, and it is possible that you could be also. Best of luck. EDIT: Sorry, forgot to comment about the hiring process. Again your experience may vary, but around here the potential new-hires get two exams: a written that is just like the state EMT-B written (probably just like NR), and a practical that involves a few NR-esque stations. As I remember there was a trauma assessment, and an airway management station when I was hired 6 years ago. It wasn't crazy, but it is more than you see at a lot of other places.

lets see what we can come up with. I'll Start. You know you are having a bad day in EMS when You take off part of the building when pulling out of the ambulance bay. I actually did that and in my defense modern day ambulances are made to be stored in bays for the 1970s bays. Which are made for the 1970s vans back then. Luckily it was an ambulance that was being traded in for a new one. So the boss wasn't to mad and thought it was funny since it only cracked the weld on the running board of the ambulance.

I believe all EMS personnel should be required to get at least 6 credits in A&P, and a basic english course including medical terminology and introduction to research. Martial arts is not on the list. If you are in a position on a regular basis that you need to protect yourself physically, you FAIL at basic scene safety. BTW: Why do you capitalize every word?

Wow. I guess the trolls are everywhere. It must have been tough following me around watching me giggle for all those years just to be qualified to make statements about the quality of care that i provide.

Cyn, I tried one of those 12 week things...and it didn't work they teach bare minimums. Anyway a college program may not give you a perfect shot. I have listened to these same conversations that you have and I still made the mistake of trying this accelerated program bit...now that I have seen the error of my ways I have to thank AK and a few other people whose usernames are escaping me right now. I am working on not just one but two degrees I am double majoring in Tech Theatre and Paramedicine.

Yeah, this is the first time that I'm going to call bullshit on Island. You can smell the resentment, right? So the opinion is obviously tainted after 'the lovely mom and pop shop' sold out. All AMR ambulance companies are locally managed, which means that they can be radically different. When I did my clinicals with AMR I rode in Pueblo CO and saw what was easily the most screwed up EMS system I've ever been exposed to, and also Colorado Springs where I was inspired and believed then, as now, that I saw exactly how EMS should be run. In fact they have a new hire accademy that is way hardcore. I've not taken it but have talked with many strong medics that have, and they claim that it's really challenging. Unless things have changed radically there, there is not 'meat in the seat' there. The liberals would have you believe that anything big business must be evil. And that can be true, but it certainly doesn't have to be. When I applied to them we took a written test that I found pretty challenging, this was as a basic. And then ran skill stations, just like you did for NR. It was a little bit stressful, took several hours, and there were maybe, 75 other basics there too. But that has been a while back.... Also, spelling is important. You didn't not get responses because of a simple spelling error, but I'm willing to bet that you missed many by throwing a tantrum before 24hrs had even passed on your post. This is a forum..we respond when we can, and don't when we can't. But to pout in front of those that you're asking help from...well, that's pretty bad form. The good news? I've stepped on my dick in so many ways here that it's ridiculous, and it's not terminal. Move on, be brave, participate and you'll find that it's very worthwhile. I'd be interested to know how your interview went, and what you thought of the process, and perhaps you can update this thread with current information for those that come after you? Have a great day! Dwayne

I once revered our brand new Mercedes Sprinter into a tree in front of 200 professional drivers while they were having driver briefing at a high performance challenge race standby… No damage to the vehicle, merely my pride and plenty of offers for driving lessons throughout the day…

It's a great way to learn! I volunteer my time every chance I get with the school I did my EMT training through! It's really helpful to see those more experience do something...I actually learn better by watching someone do the skill first, rather than reading. If you ever get the chance to be a "victim" for and ALS class, do it! I have recently moved away from doing just the EMT/BLS classes, and have started volunteering at ALS courses (AMLS, ACLS, TCCC, PHTLS) and I have learned so much! Not only do you get to see the BLS skills used, but you also get to see and learn about the ALS side of treatment. I learned so much. So yea, it teaches you a lot and I would recommend even when you are done with your EMT class that you continue to volunteer if the opportunity is available! It will keep your skills sharp!

Absolutely no way, no how is a 12 week timespan enough to properly do a paramedic program. When I took my medic back in 96-97 it was nine months, but that was just didactic. Would you want a doctor who went to Medical school for 8 years or did the abbreviated 2 year program?

This attitude is exactly why you shouldn't take this kind of immature advice. "If I can pass the test then I'm as good as everyone else, right?" No man, you're not. You've managed to pass the very minimum requirements to be allowed to call yourself a paramedic. And you should be ashamed of that. Spenac following the whole "what do you call a man that graduated at the very bottom of his class at medical school? Doctor!" shit is just that, it's shit. It's what's holds EMS back as a profession and keeps people from getting paid. You'll find if you're here a few days that spenac loves to brag about how rich he's getting as a medic, what a superior education he has, how sage he is for the noobs, and yet you won't find him posting more than just a few lines in any forum that requires intelligent thought. Just keep that in mind. If, like 11outof10, your goals don't extend beyond getting to giggle while running lights and sirens around town in your ambulance, then yeah, follow his advice. If you want to make EMS your career, truly want to be a professional and do more than play 'mother may I' in the back of your fancy truck, really want to do medicine, then get a real education. At the VERY MINIMUM you need college level A&P. People will tell you it doesn't matter...but I've got to do some pretty friggin' cool things...most of them due to akflightmedic being my friend and opening doors...just take your 100 day medic cert to him and see how far that gets you. Good luck to you...I would love to know what you decide. Trust me, the National Registry Medic test? Most of us could have passed it straight out of basic class with the addition of a little A&P. It's simple, stupid, and a completely worthless way to judge the value of a paramedic education. Dwayne Edited to correct a formatting error. No other changes made. Edited again to cross out the sentence above as after reading his next post I realized that I was being a way bigger shithead than necessary.

Wow one helpful reply....thanks guys. Looks like your spelling has to be perfect on an internet forum to get any real answers.

At least I have an occassional intelligent statement and at that they are origional rather than parroting crap you have copied from others. If you read the statement you so much chose to degrade me for you would see that I said they would be better for getting the degree. But I was also bluntly honest that EMS sucks so bad that no matter which way educated you will not be able to do anything to your patients in most services. If you are being honest you will have to agree with my opinion on that. So when you pull your head out from trying to kiss your own rear start posting something of value w/o including attacks on others.