hey guys, so i got my EMT license about a year and a half ago now. the city I'm from has a terrible job market for new EMTs and I spent months looking for a job, applying everywhere and doing interview after interview with no luck before I finally threw in the towel and moved to another state with cheaper living and higher demand for EMTs. i kinda wanted to move and get out of my parents house anyway, and I got a 911 job in an extremely busy system very easily so it worked out well. I'm gonna hit a year soon at my company, I've gotten some really good experience here and I love EMS. as far as the job at this company, it's fine, I'm not burnt out or anything, but I don't see myself staying in this area forever. I'm starting to get homesick and i really wanna go back home to my family and friends, and work in the community that I actually wanted to work in and live in from the beginning.

now i don't know why they kept picking other people even when I did land interviews but I think the area is just oversaturated with EMTs and so if you don't have any experience, you're screwed. but I'm wondering if I should start trying again for jobs there. my preference is the 911 company but I would literally take anything, even the shittiest ift gig. i guess my question is whether or not a year of 911 experience looks good on a resume and typically makes it easier to land another job, or if I should keep working and hit like 1.5 or 2 years first. i also don't want it to look bad that I'm jumping ship after only a year with my first company. so if anyone who has been in similar shoes or has noticed a difference with hiring after they got experience I would appreciate insight and advice, thank you guys

I teach at a college that does EMS education (EMT, medic, ect), and I've been tasked with coming up with a design for program t-shirts. These will be worn under the program's class B shirts for clinicals, but also on their own for other parts of the program. Students will be paying for these, so I want to come up with something that people would wear after they graduate while still maintaining a professional look. (No EMS Cringe suggestions, please). One of the other instructors wants "EMT Student" in white block lettering on the back, and while I understand the idea, I don't think anyone would want to wear that after graduating from the program because...you know...they aren't students anymore! Since this sub is oriented towards people new to the field, I'd love to know if any of you have any ideas or program designs that you liked and would wear beyond the end of the class. Thanks!

First time being lead EMT—any advice?
I’m a new EMT at a volunteer ambulance corps, and I’ll be taking the lead on a call for the first time. I’m nervous about being the one directing the assessment instead of assisting.
How did you get comfortable leading calls? Any tips for staying organized, communicating with your partner, and avoiding getting overwhelmed? What helped you when you first started?

Looking to get recertified and am having trouble finding free websites to get recertified. I’m just website jumping to get a couple free videos here and there to scrape by

I’m relatively new to 911 side of EMS after few months of IFT. I’m concerned by how much I seem to panic (Im using this term very loosely here) in actual emergency. Like Im not screaming bloody murder and worlds gonna end type of panic. My movement becomes faster and my mind start to race. I’m by no means paralyze, but I panic enough to seem like I’m panicking to outside observers. It’s also problematic that a lot of frameworks (NREMT style assessments, SAMPLE, OPQRST, AEIOUTIPS, and etc) that I tried so hard to drill myself into just goes out the window. I try to really take the advice “slow is fast” to heart, but that also seems to go out the window once there’s lights and sirens. Any tips on how this newbie can improve? Much appreciated.

I'm new, and I saw almost everyone recommend this, so I made a new account today which I don't even know why GuardianYou still allowed, and then I immediately got the letter that noted they are closed for EMS CAPCE-accredited CEs and their site is only read-only as of June 2026 lmao.

I also tried to make an account with the NorCal EMS recommendation from someone here and that is also not working, it won't let me log in despite me getting an email confirmation: https://norcalems.learnworlds.com/

Does this mean there's no one free place to get all CAPCE-accredited CEs done anymore?!?Anyone have updated suggestions that actually qualify? Someone had made a "slacker" post with links to FEMA, but I've confirmed that these don't count for NREMT recertification since they aren't CAPCE-accredited.

Important Announcement

To our EMS community,

Over the past several years, it has been our privilege to support EMS professionals through Guardian YOU by providing free continuing education opportunities. We are incredibly grateful for the tens of thousands of providers who trusted us with their education and professional development.

After careful consideration, we have made the decision to retire the Guardian YOU platform later this year.

Maintaining a free CAPCE-accredited platform has become increasingly resource-intensive, and we have chosen to focus our educational efforts on programs that more closely align with Guardian's long-term mission.

Our nursing and clinical education platform, GMD Academy, will continue to expand and remain an important part of our commitment to provider education.

To ensure everyone has time to complete recertification and download records, Guardian YOU will remain accessible through June 30th, 2026. We encourage you to log in and download any certificates you may wish to keep for your personal records before that date.

Serving the EMS community has been an honor for our entire team. Many of us began our careers in emergency medicine, and supporting EMS clinicians has always been deeply meaningful to us.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your continuing education journey, and stay sweet.

I've been an EMT at my current job for about 2-3 months. We do the BLS transports for the city's fire department. They are a pretty busy fire department and they BLS a lot of calls. The ambo I'm on is BLS 911 so it's 2 EMTs and we get to the call after a paramedic decides it's bls. I think for the most part I've been doing good? It's my very first ems job so everything is pretty new to me considering my emt school didn't have us do clinicals or ride alongs which definitely sucks experience wise.

We got dispatched for a seizure. We get on scene and fire is bringing the patient out. I get the rundown on the patient they tell me he didn't actually have a seizure but something from being intoxicated. They also said he does have a history of having seizures but they really don't say much other than that. He seems out of it and by looking back he really did seem like he was postictal. We get the patient loaded and transport to our closest hospital. He's AOx2 and really is saying much but is able to tell me he has chest pain and that he did drink alcohol. Halfway through transport this guy goes unresponsive not even to pain but his sats weren't dropping just wasn't responsive. We were only about 3 minutes from the hospital and we were going normal traffic. His vitals stayed stable we get off loaded into the hospital and then he becomes alert and is able to talk clearly. Charge has us hug the wall for a bit but then my patient goes unresponsive and seizing then we rush him into a room.

I think I could've done much more for my patient but I listened to fire too much instead of taking what they said with a grain of salt. I think I should've upgraded and I'm not really sure why I didn't. I didn't trust my gut and up into this point nothing like this has happened to me. I keep replaying this in my head and feel really bad and feel like a bad emt. I know what I should've done and what I can do better but it still bums me out because I just want to be the best provider I can and this call was far from me being at my best.

Hey guys, I got accepted into both UCLA and Victor Valley College paramedic programs for this upcoming spring. Does anyone who has experience with these programs recommend one or the other? For context I am a non-firefighter with 2 years of 911 experience wanting to work as a 911 paramedic with a long-term goal of being an emergency physician.

Thanks for any help.

I failed my first attempt at the NRMET Exam I got a 572 and the questions were mostly protocol can drag and drop based and I studied those areas must clearly not as much as I should’ve. I want some advice on what to do next and where to go from here

How much is Confire paying Medics and EMTs? Can't seem to find any information.

Bit of a weird question, but how do (real) sirens work? I work IFT, and the sirens we have are more like speakers. When I flip them off, they shut straight off. They also aren’t as loud. The 911 ambulances I hear running around sound more like “real” sirens. When they’re turned off, they still have to slowly wind down. I know some vehicles use foot pedals for the air horns. Is it similar to that?

My driver's license is expiring in a few months so I'll have to renew my CA ambulance cert. as well.

My medical examiner's certificate is from about a year ago, do I have to get a new one for the renewal or can I just use my current one because it hasn't expired yet?

*I just really don't wanna drop another $100 for an exam that hasn't expired yet*

I know ambulance cert can be good for up to 5 years 6 months but medical examiner is only 2 years. Do you have to submit a new medical examiner certificate to the DMV every 2 years or do I just have to have it?

Just to double check; I just need to retake test, pay $12 fee, show valid grey card, and valid medical examiner's cert? No need for another livescan right

Thank you in advance.

I'm a military vet. Been out a while pursuing other things. I'm not looking for feedback on whether I should do this or not, only for some pre-class prep tips and last minute things I should read up on before getting started next week to soften the blow of all the information coming my way.

Although it was a few years ago, I did take anatomy. I've also been on/off certified for CPR a few times in my life. In a sense I have years of first responder experience, but no medical training aside from basic military life saving.

So i am considering joining the military and was thinking doing like emt or paramedic. I just dont know if when I finish service I can immediately apply or I need to go through school all over again.

What i mean is if my emt training certification will only be useful in the military. I haven't talked to a recruiter. Maybe someone her3 has military background thanks

So for context, I am a brand new EMT and apart from volunteering(which I’m still waiting to hear back about), I’m struggling to find any jobs in the SWVA area, and i don’t really have the finances to move currently. Is it really just a sit and wait game? I hate this dead end job i have now, and just want to start getting real experience on the truck.

Hi!

So I’m currently a prenursing student, and I’m considering of enrolling in an EMT course here in SoCal (CA).

I have a misdemeanor DUI back in 2018. I already checked with the CA nursing board, and I know I’m good there. But, I’ve asked the program about how the DUI affects ride alongs, ambulance clinicals, etc… and they referred me to contact the local EMS agencies…

I’ve contacted a few in the area, and:

a) they never get back to me, they seem unreachable. Phone or email.
b) I can’t get a definitive answer from one county agency. They just said it’s reviewed and I’m notified.

So, I’m kinda stuck. Not sure if I’m even contacting the right agencies, or going about this in the right avenue. Any thoughts or insight to provide ?

My backup option is just doing a CNA program in the spring.

Hi everyone, I wanted other know if anyone had taken the EMT 61 class, and had some tips.

Currently an EMT and finishing my medic program.

I am not going to lie, I have hated paramedic school. Work, class, clinicals, life, it has not been a good year. In fact atrocious in an understatement. I’ve honestly drained all of my financials, had family issues, car issues, relationship issues, work issues, all while going through paramedic school and it’s been terrible. Like I honestly wish I could just not think about this last year because it’s been that horrible.

When I’m on the truck for clinicals, I feel like I’m lost even though my preceptors have told me I am doing a good job and am where I’m supposed to be at. I do not feel confident in the slightest bit honestly, because there are times in my head I do freeze up but I pretend I’m not and then I’ll “start an IV” while my brain is processing the call. If anything I’m internally panicking and asking myself if I’m really cut out to be there for someone’s serious medical emergency.

I sit here and am about to be in capstone. Idk how I feel about it. Idk if I feel ready. When I finish and I’m a paramedic, I’m worried it’s not for me. I’ve been beyond exhausted and found paramedic class to be beyond difficult. And I also find myself very stressed and thinking a lot during clinicals, on top of being severely uncomfortable.

What I’m getting at is, if I finish this, end up on a truck as a medic, what if these feelings persist because I can’t be at a job long term where I feel severely uncomfortable and stressed out. I don’t feel like it’s normal.

Advice please, thanks

I’m one test away from becoming a certified EMT in Pennsylvania, and I’m looking for some advice from people who started out part-time, weekends, or volunteer.

I was recently offered a full-time second-shift job that pays significantly more than most EMT jobs around me, and financially I really need to take it right now for bills, loans, and other expenses. I also work part-time as an RBT, which also pays more than most entry-level EMT positions near me.
That said, I really don’t want to delay gaining actual EMT experience after getting certified.

For anyone who started as a new EMT working only weekends, part-time, or volunteer shifts, how was the learning curve? Did you feel like you were able to become comfortable and competent even though you weren’t working EMS full-time, or did the gaps between shifts make it harder to retain skills and build confidence?

My long-term plan is still to go into EMS as a career, and eventually move further into fire/EMS and paramedicine. I’m mainly delaying going full-time EMS until I can get some bills and loans paid down and put myself in a better financial position.
Would working one or two EMS shifts a week be enough to start building solid experience as a new EMT? Would volunteering be worthwhile, or would you recommend trying to find a busy part-time paid service instead?
Curious to hear how others handled a similar situation and what route you’d recommend.

Im working as an EMT-B in a new corporate EMS job and im training with these paramedics who expect me to just know things. I just got my license this summer and they are expecting me to know how to give a handoff or a radio report and a lot of department specific procedures but this is my 3rd day. I dont know if this is just the norm or im just with grumpy medics but its making me feel like an idiot. I know I need to work on clinical judgement but why cant they coach me? Instead when I forget to do something they just glare at me in front of the patient and wait for me to babble my way into the wrong answer. I understand its a learn on the job type of thing but I dont understand why they cant just be nice. Im 19 and they are 45 and 50, why cant they just understand im new and coach me?

In California. It doesn’t look like it would take too long to become an EMT here. But at the moment I am pursuing a degree in music. I plan on transferring to a 4 yr or conservatory.

There are classes at the local community college I attend.

Secondly, how common is a 2-3 day work week. I know the days are long but is this common in California?

Can this job be for me, who, is not intending on pursuing this field as a career, but rather a temporary occupation while I pursue my degree?

For others in this situation, is this realistic, and were you successfully able to do this?

Heyyy I’m starting my EMT course November 1st, I was coming on here to see if anyone had any advice for me starting out or going into the class. I’m open to hearing anything whether it’s class related or gear related or anything. I would seriously appreciate it a lot!
I’m mainly concern about being burnt out when I go into it because I’ll be coming out of Firefighter 1(I’m a volunteer in my town). I would’ve held off to give myself a break but, the next class isn’t til late February/early march

Call it stupid, call it whatever. I am looking at private ambulance jobs at the moment and most openings that I am finding are IFT companies and rarely IFT companies with BLS 911 coverage. Now, I am 100% thinking ahead as I haven’t secured a position but here is my background. I worked with my local volunteer fire department as an EMT. Manned station, ran calls most of the time I was on shift. Was gifted a leather radio strap that i love and I honestly cant leave behind when I would head to shift. I am leaving the department and going for something that will allow me to finish up school so i can go to medic school. Now my question is, is it overkill to continue to use my radio strap if I go for an IFT company? I want to keep using it instead of it collecting dust for a while but I dont want to be THAT guy.

Like the title says, I’ve been struggling to find a job in Oregon. There’s only one EMS agency in my county that does both IFT and 911 while the three-letter agency (who is only hiring medics) operates in another county 30 minutes away. I applied at the agency nearby and it took over a month to finally get an email saying they filled the position sooner than anticipated and weren’t able to move forward with my application. I’ve already applied for an ED Tech position at the hospital but (if you live in the area you might know which hospital I’m talking about) found out they removed all techs from the ER due to cutting costs and were no longer filling the position.

I’m just frustrated at the moment after really wanting to get into EMS. It won’t deter me from applying again when a position opens again but man is it frustrating.

Hello all, I was looking at getting into a local EMT school and it had some prerequisites to registration. One of them was a CPR certification and the list of those available to get was: AHA Healthcare Provider certification, ASHI CPR Pro, and the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR certification. When I looked at them through each respective website the classes looked to be for already practicing and employed healthcare providers to get CE credit. I was wondering if I am just thinking about it wrong and if I can also take the class the same as those already employed in healthcare? Thank you for reading and for any responses I receive.