cariblil

Anthony - I think that I'm not too worried about the book stuff, I've always been pretty successful with that. What I really want is the experience, the clincal/practical part. That is why I am considering just taking the one day 8hr/week course rather than the longer three day 15hr/wk course offered at CCSF. However, I do want to still check into the average pass rate for the NREMT exam for each of these classes. I was wondering if you have any suggestions on how to approach getting ride-alongs with the EMS companies? Is there some sort of shadowing/internship/mentorship program available? Or is it more of an informal process where you walk up/call and ask? What would be GREAT is if anyone here on EMT city knows anyone in the Bay Area who is willing to let me shadow them...

Thank you again for all of your suggestions. Although I will be residing in NorCal, my intention is to move more towards the Bay Area for work as soon as I have my certificate. I think that is the best strategy, since there are basically no jobs for EMT-Bs up there -- I have been checking every possible local newspaper job classifieds and have been able to find ZERO job openings in the past two weeks. I have also been writing some of the EMS agencies who have job listings around the Bay Area and asking them for advice as well.. along the same stuff I've been asking you, if the commitment is ultimately worth the competition. Like most EMS persons I've talked with, they all say they are bias, love what they do, and would recommend ride-alongs as a sure way of telling if I'm cut out for it. The EMT-B course at CCSF is only about two hundred dollars, and I don't see that as too much of a commitment ... even if everything goes wrong and I don't get one single job offer. But ultimately, I think that I want to invest into the Paramedic Academy; the one I'm looking at does not require the pre-reqs that you have stated -- but it is accredited and seems as intensive as the rest... http://www.sonic.net/srtc/emc/Paramedic%20Flyer.htm But that is all in the eye of the rookie, so please let me know what you think. Also, I wanted to let you know that I'm actually a Biology major. Sorry for the bad keyboarding skills, I usually post at sites like these without much thought about people criticizing my skills as a writer. Hehe. No offence taken. And actually, right now I'm serving in the Peace Corps in St. Lucia as a Health Ed volunteer. I know that when I get back I absolutely do not want a boring clinic/office job. I don't want to wait tables. I want to get started to be a part of something exciting. Another life experience. And not stupid.

i checked the source where napa valley college was posted: http://www.emsa.cahwnet.gov/para/approved_trng_progs.xls seems their accreditation site is a little outdated! thanks for the heads up. there are two programs at ccsf, both with (1) required ride-along with the option for more if they are available. emt100 is a 12 unit course -- 15 hours a week http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Health_PE/...T@JohnAdams.pdf emt101 is a 6.5 unit course -- 8 hours a week http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Health_PE/...EvansCampus.pdf the reason i put this up is because i can't really take the longer course even though i want to because i am taking other pre-reqs for paramedic academy alongside the emt course. but i talked with the prof and they said both will lead up to certification, just the shorter class is more intense. what is your best suggestion for making me most competitive among the sea of newbies? (other than being "hott") srjc's program is a year long rather than a semester, for emt. i want to get into it as fast as i can and test out the waters but a year is quite a commitment to come out as emt-b.. thanks for the straight-up advice. keep it coming.

hi. i'm about to sign up for an emt-b course in the bay area and i have a couple to choose from. are there any questions that i should ask before picking one over the other? or are they about the same? both are accredited: one is at the city college of san fran, and the other is at napa valley college. i am also battling the stress of my dad who is telling me straight up that this is a stupid idea, i won't get a job, and if i do, it'll be at minimum wage. i go back and forth of being REALLY super excited(reading up on emtcity entries) to "is this really a good idea?"(also reading up on emtcity). some moral support and advice would be great..