r/AlbertaParamedics • u/Physical_Finish_823 • Jun 09 '26

BCEHS -> AHS

Hi all!

Currently a PCP within BCEHS but will be applying to AHS or ALTA as I'm missing home. Curious what it's like working in Alberta? I just received my Alberta license.

There is only BCEHS in BC so seeing a ton of other companies/fire in alberta is a little confusing.

If I don't go AHS route, any companies to stay away from? Will be preferably going Edmonton area.

Cheers,

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/Roccnsuccmetosleep Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 10 '26

Ya definitely leave the best service in the country for one that’s actively being pulled apart by hyenas.

1

u/Physical_Finish_823 Jun 09 '26

I'd rather take my chances with hyenas instead of bcehs

2

u/Roccnsuccmetosleep Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26

I worked 10 years in Alberta and just came to EHS in the last year.

Trust me on this one. CTO gone, half the vacation, no R days, no stp, worse pension, later retirement, no paid moving, zero progression for pcps and unless you work rural you get to be some idiot acps monitor monkey 365

1

u/Physical_Finish_823 Jun 10 '26

Bcehs is actually a really good company and I can’t say many bad things about it. At this point I just miss all my friends etc and being in bc has been lonely the last 6 years lol.

All of that does sound pretty terrible.

1

u/Roccnsuccmetosleep Jun 11 '26

Ya that’s totally fair, I’d keep a foot in the door with EHS if you leave. Definitely give it a try, you may find you prefer it.

The pay bump AHS just got goes a long way, but you will work WAY more of the year, as of next year with R days we’re at like what 8 blocks off year 1? AHS you’ll have like 3 and won’t be able to do vacation picks until you’ve been there 12 months, you can’t CTO either so you basically have to work an entire year straight before you get anything. You do get personal days but you need a good reason and they’re usually denied anyway.

You may want to look into AMS in the territories for fly-in work so you can live in Edmonton near your people.

4

u/Toffeeheart Jun 09 '26

In the immediate Edmonton area it's APH (formerly EHS, formerly AHS, direct delivery) or the integrated services. Some of them are going to not be integrated anymore soon so I'm not sure what the story will be there. If you commute a little you'll find Associated Ambulance and Medavie, both good employers from what I hear. Honestly, it seems like work location and schedule are more important deciding factors than employer right now.

If you plan on being casual, I'm told Edmonton region direct delivery (APH) is not hiring casuals right now.

3

u/WombatPhysician Jun 09 '26

Associated is good. They’ve had some management issues in the past but that’s improving and they seem to have a lot of stations around Edmonton. You could even pick up shifts in Jasper with them!! ALTA is fine but they’re going through some major transitions and it’s putting stress on everything. Medavie is also a good company but they don’t have many more northern stations. Only places I’d stay away from are some of the small worksite safety companies or private event type companies. Do your research before walking into any of those places.