brick

Thanks for replying to my "How to get experience?" question.-Brice

Its tough to find a job w/o experience; so how can you get experience if no one gives you a chance. Keep applying; sending out resumes; do not be selective. Be willing to work anywhere; even if you have to travel. If you desperately want to work on the Ambulance; Volunteer some of your time. Especially evenings or nights; since you have to go job hunting during the day. Many influential people Volunteer in an Ambulance Corp, in their Community. This could be an improvtou interview. Lastly, do not give up. Many of us who has been in the field, know exactly what you're going through. All the best...

thanks for the reply , it helped!-B

I am a new EMT also, and I have found that with no patient experience, it was hard to get a job. I don't know what your past employment history is like, but one big area that I focused on for my applications was my customer service experience. I have worked in restaurants for 5 years, so I focused in on my organizational, time management, and customer service skills that I gained through that. Another thing you could do is volunteer with your local red cross, blood source, etc. Even though with those you probably won't have direct patient contact, I have found that volunteer work with any company (especially those in medicine) help as well. The school that I did my EMT training through also asks for volunteers from previous classes to be "victims" at their courses (EMT-B class, PHTLS, AMLS, etc) so that is another good way to get experience if you have any programs in your area that look for people to help out with those types of things. You learn a lot and can put it on an application. Unfortunately, it is hard to get a job when you have no paid experience, but I have found that volunteer work is almost as good. Plus, those that you did your ride outs with would probably be useful in getting information on where to look for jobs and/or volunteer opportunities. If you made any good connections with them (or anyone you met during your training) I would highly recommend contacting them and seeing if they have any advice for you. The ones that I rode with were a huge help in job hunting and preparing me for the interview process!

Hope that helps! Good luck!

Thanks for the help, and good luck to you too!-B

I am a new EMT also, and I have found that with no patient experience, it was hard to get a job. I don't know what your past employment history is like, but one big area that I focused on for my applications was my customer service experience. I have worked in restaurants for 5 years, so I focused in on my organizational, time management, and customer service skills that I gained through that. Another thing you could do is volunteer with your local red cross, blood source, etc. Even though with those you probably won't have direct patient contact, I have found that volunteer work with any company (especially those in medicine) help as well. The school that I did my EMT training through also asks for volunteers from previous classes to be "victims" at their courses (EMT-B class, PHTLS, AMLS, etc) so that is another good way to get experience if you have any programs in your area that look for people to help out with those types of things. You learn a lot and can put it on an application. Unfortunately, it is hard to get a job when you have no paid experience, but I have found that volunteer work is almost as good. Plus, those that you did your ride outs with would probably be useful in getting information on where to look for jobs and/or volunteer opportunities. If you made any good connections with them (or anyone you met during your training) I would highly recommend contacting them and seeing if they have any advice for you. The ones that I rode with were a huge help in job hunting and preparing me for the interview process!

Hope that helps! Good luck!

Im a nationally registered EMT with an EVOC certificate and have applied at a few places in Orlando and am not having much luck. does anyone know how i can get experience or get my foot in the door? Is it all about knowing the right people or persistance in applying at the same place repeatedly? What should the resume include if you dont have any patient experience? thanks -Brick

Another place to start - Polk County. They cover the Lakeland Florida area. I don't know if they are hiring but Lakeland isn't a very far drive from Orlando, I drove farther for my job. Plus my weekly commute is 1100 miles long.

But I can probably get you more info on who to talk to at Polk County after September 8th.

thanks "4 eyes" , i will check out Polk Cty. i just found out today that in orlando you dont have to be a firefighter to be an EMT for the fire dept. fire fighting is not my goal so i will inquire at fire stations around here first. I also read a lot about volunteering first to get your foot in the door is that usually the case? thanks-Brick

Hi Brice,

I am in S. Florida near Boca Raton. You might want to try AMR in Orlando, Positive Medical Transport in Sebring, or even Lake-Sumter EMS in Lake-Sumter county. Also, Sunstar is popular in the Orlando area as well.

Anymore info just PM me on Twitter @Paramedic_FLA. Good luck!!

David

thanks thanks thanks

im a new emt in orlando and im looking for emt's around here to help me get started. i dont have any emt friends and i dont know the first place to start. interviews, volunteering, how do i get this ball rolling? thanks-brice