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Paramedic Western Slope

Original Post
Eldo Love · · Mancos,CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 125

I just graduated Paramedic school and want to get out of the Boulder area. I grew up in southern CO and currently live in Eldo. While not a bad place to live at all (minus the hippicrites), I have been seriously considering moving to Ridgway. Its been incredibly hard for me to find a job. Since a lot of people in healthcare are climbers I was curious if anyone had any hookups, suggestions, ect? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Muchas gracias

Ray Hellinger · · Gunnison, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 350

I just left Pagosa Springs (for a flight medic job), I'm sure they are accepting apps. I worked in Farmington, NM for 7yrs. You get great experience and can live and commute from Durango. Telluride, Ouray Co, and Silverton can be hard to get on because they don't have turn over. Montrose, Durango, and GJ are all fire based, so you need FF experience. Cortez has some turn over, but I've heard really bad things about them. Hope that helps.

NickinCO · · colorado · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 155

Hey Tim what's your end goal? Hollla! I've been in EMS going on 10 years now

L.D. · · colorado · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 10

I’ve got a question about the EMS world… First a little about me I’m currently an WEMT-B and have an associate degree in Outdoor Ed. Should I get my EMT-I or just try and jump to parametic or Nursing and which one takes longer? I was looking a Colorado MT College program or the front range .. My end goal is pre hospital or hospital care.. Any advise would be helpful and thanks in advance

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510
L.D. wrote:I’ve got a question about the EMS world… First a little about me I’m currently an WEMT-B and have an associate degree in Outdoor Ed. Should I get my EMT-I or just try and jump to parametic or Nursing and which one takes longer? I was looking a Colorado MT College program or the front range .. My end goal is pre hospital or hospital care.. Any advise would be helpful and thanks in advance
My understanding is that an intermediate license is only utilized by a limited number of services and the schooling is essentially as difficult as becoming a paramedic. And everyone I talk to is having quite the time finding an actual job as a paramedic anywhere even remotely liveable. I don't work in medicine, but the numerous people I know who do are basically saying nursing is your best bet, although that is becoming an overcrowded field and even experienced RN's I know are having some issues finding decent jobs on the front range here.
Nate_801 · · St. George · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 105

I live in Utah and got my intermediate last year and it was easier then medic for sure. You learn how to do IVs, push a few drugs and dabble a little with advanced airways. I actually just passed my paramedic national yesterday and as for me I love the prehospital care side of things compared to being in a building all day. I think RN definitely make more compared to a medic who works for AMR or another private ambo company. But if your wanting to go the route of paramedic/firefighter or flight medic you will make more (depending on where you work). Plus I like the schedule better as a medic. Here in Utah I work 48 on and get 96 off.
My question for you guys is I was offered a job as a paramedic with AMR in Colorado Springs starting in January/febuary. What do you guys know about AMR down there. Is it a good company? I have never been to Colorado Springs before how is the community. I have a 3 year old son and another son on the way. Is it a good family place? I'm also huge into climbing and I imagine there is good climbing year round right?

Hope that helped you out!!

Medic741 · · Des Moines, IA (WTF) · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 265

Go paramedic. The intermediate course is much shorter and your scope of practice is almost as restricted as a basic's. as a paramedic you'll learn how to be a clinician and use a lot of drugs and other interventions to treat your pt. very few agencies hire intermediates.

Ask yourself.... Do ya want to be the doctors bitch or outside making independent decisions on your pt's care using many skills an rn does not have. There is nothing like it. No disrespect to nurses. There are some out there who are really good at what they do. But really what their job ends up being can be very limiting.

Ems money isn't good but the experiences you have are unmatched. Go for it, it's something you won't regret. Pm me with any questions you got!

Nate_801 · · St. George · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 105

I completely agree with medic741! Pre hospital Paramedic is definitely that route you should go.
When I was doing my ER rotations for medic school the nurses had to get Dr approval for EVERYTHING. It was pretty sad to say the least.
Good luck!!

Ray Hellinger · · Gunnison, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 350

AND DON'T FORGET!!!.....they will be getting rid of the EMT-I in the near future. The new designations will be EMT (the current EMT-B), AEMT (Advanced EMT, a step down from the current EMT-I) and Paramedic. EMT-I's will be required to take an EMT-I/Paramedic bridge course, or drop down to AEMT (which is a LOT less skills and knowledge than the current EMT-I). In other words.....don't waste your time with EMT-I, go to Paramedic and get a good career out of it.

Ray Hellinger · · Gunnison, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 350
Nate_801 wrote:I live in Utah and got my intermediate last year and it was easier then medic for sure. You learn how to do IVs, push a few drugs and dabble a little with advanced airways. I actually just passed my paramedic national yesterday and as for me I love the prehospital care side of things compared to being in a building all day. I think RN definitely make more compared to a medic who works for AMR or another private ambo company. But if your wanting to go the route of paramedic/firefighter or flight medic you will make more (depending on where you work). Plus I like the schedule better as a medic. Here in Utah I work 48 on and get 96 off. My question for you guys is I was offered a job as a paramedic with AMR in Colorado Springs starting in January/febuary. What do you guys know about AMR down there. Is it a good company? I have never been to Colorado Springs before how is the community. I have a 3 year old son and another son on the way. Is it a good family place? I'm also huge into climbing and I imagine there is good climbing year round right? Hope that helped you out!!
AMR in the Springs is a pretty progressive service last I knew (granted, that was 6-7 yrs ago). They do a lot more than a lot of their bases that just due medical contracts and interfacility transports. They are a private company, which can always have many problems, but its a good place to start and get your foot in the door to something better.....
Ray Hellinger · · Gunnison, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 350
L.D. wrote:I’ve got a question about the EMS world… First a little about me I’m currently an WEMT-B and have an associate degree in Outdoor Ed. Should I get my EMT-I or just try and jump to parametic or Nursing and which one takes longer? I was looking a Colorado MT College program or the front range .. My end goal is pre hospital or hospital care.. Any advise would be helpful and thanks in advance
as for Paramedic or RN....you should figure out some long term goals and see what areas you want to work in and their requirements. Anything prehospital, or outside a hospital, Paramedic is probably your best. If you want better pay, better options on travelling, and like the hospital environment, then RN is better. Really just has to do with your personal preferences and goals. NO ONE IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER!
L.D. · · colorado · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 10

THANKS for all the responses… I apologize for jacking the thread… I’ve just seen a few threads on similar topics so thought I would jump in and ask instead of starting a new one

Medic741 · · Des Moines, IA (WTF) · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 265

And I seriously recommend doing some ride time as an emt if you haven't already. Then you can see what medics do and make an informed decision. Otherwise you'll be like the college kid doing premed without any real experience/insight.

Yes no one is better than the other but the scope of the medic is greater and can make their own clinical decisions within the scope of protocols. take a look at them and you'll see there is a lot of thinking you'll do on the road.

I also would like to mention out if all the nurses/medics I know the medics are generally happier, more fulfilled by their jobs. And with the coming changes in paramedicine as community paramedicine will start taking hold becoming a medic opens up a lot of really interesting opportunities. You'll see the field change hugely in the next 10 15 years. This is a really exciting time to get into prehospital care while the job of an rn will remain the same.

Just my .02.

Matt

Nate_801 · · St. George · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 105

Lol. I just read the original post and he already is a medic so he made the right choice!!!

Eldo Love · · Mancos,CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 125
NickinCO wrote:Hey Tim what's your end goal? Hollla! I've been in EMS going on 10 years now
WOW Nick your so cool! can we hang out sometime?! I was thinking about being a super hero when I grow up. what do you think!?
Eldo Love · · Mancos,CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 125
Ray Hellinger wrote:I just left Pagosa Springs (for a flight medic job), I'm sure they are accepting apps. I worked in Farmington, NM for 7yrs. You get great experience and can live and commute from Durango. Telluride, Ouray Co, and Silverton can be hard to get on because they don't have turn over. Montrose, Durango, and GJ are all fire based, so you need FF experience. Cortez has some turn over, but I've heard really bad things about them. Hope that helps.
Right on man. That does help thank you. I know Jason Webb, used to be a DG Medic workin in Pagosa now. That would be a sweet gig. Need to give him a call. Being a dirt bag an all being a FF isn't really ideal right now unfortunately, its hard because that seams to be where EMS is going. Something is bound to happen for me. Thank you.
Medic741 · · Des Moines, IA (WTF) · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 265

Seems you forgot rule #1.

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510

Yeah, wow, just happened back on this thread while bored at work, and the attitude displayed is quite surprising and uncalled for. Quite frankly the egos and negativity I've witnessed and encountered are a major reason I never pursued a job in EMS. All these people here trying to help you and give valuable advice and you gotta be a dick? Why?

Eldo Love · · Mancos,CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 125
Evan S wrote:Yeah, wow, just happened back on this thread while bored at work, and the attitude displayed is quite surprising and uncalled for. Quite frankly the egos and negativity I've witnessed and encountered are a major reason I never pursued a job in EMS. All these people here trying to help you and give valuable advice and you gotta be a dick? Why?
dudes. me and nick go way back. it was a joke. if you have experienced EMS and have been called a fagot, punched in the face, spit on by people who you are trying so hard to help not to mention grabbing an unknown amount of penises and smelled a crotch that a tampon had been stuck in for two months maybe you would get my humor. I apologize for any feelings that may have been hurt. im serious. my b.
Eldo Love · · Mancos,CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 125

and if you reread nicks post you will see that he was also being a smart ass. or maybe i misinterpreted it because I am reading a blog and not standing in front of a human being listening to the subtleties of his voice and seeing his facial expressions as to decipher exactly what emotion that person is implementing into the conversation. I for instance was smiling, laughing, and giddy when I typed my reply to nick and very respectful when typing my reply to Ray Hellinger which I really appreciated. Medic741: I can respect your comment of forgetting rule #1 I feel that was appropriate and I got the point very clearly. Evan S: Stay very very far away from EMS because I can promise you that you will be in the corner sucking on your thumb crying in the fetal position within 5 minutes of your first ambulance ride. Enough Said.

NickinCO · · colorado · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 155

damn bro that hurt... you totally hurt all of my feelings... not just one.

I hope your broke ass finds a job so you can keep a phone! Maybe some day we can actually get out and climb

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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