Vancouver Island EMR - Jobs?

[janesee]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place to place this thread, but here's a go anyways...


I'll have completed my EMR licencing (fingers crossed/knock on wood lol) by the end of October 2007, and was wondering for those of you that have your EMR licences, what kind of positions are out there where I can utilize my training?

I have thought about applying to the local mountain - Mount Washington Alpine Resort, for ski patrol as they are required to have EMR or OFAIII, and am also planning on putting an application into the surrounding ambulance stations once I get my class 4 as Ucluelet, Tofino and my local, Port Alberni all have ads up that they are hiring EMRs with class 4. I am eventually planning on obtaining my PCP, as I would like to work up to a full time paramedic position somewhere on the Island.

Just wondering if having this course - will benefit me in finding a job where I can use the licence, as well as with the fire department. Any info would be great!

Thanks!

-J

[vancity]

Hey, throw in your application for the vancouver island region. They will hire EMR's for some areas. Same with the interior.

[janesee]

Hey, throw in your application for the vancouver island region. They will hire EMR's for some areas. Same with the interior.

Yeah Tofino Ucluelet and Port Alberni are hiring - More so Tofino and Ucluelet, for transport apparently. I'm gonna put an application in at my local as well (Port Alberni) seeing as I have some connections there, and they are also advertised as hiring EMR's. Will be putting some applications for the mainland in the next year or two as well once I get some experience under my belt - hoping to be licenced PCP by then, and maybe get some time in with the Olympics events...

[FireChef]

You can check out the BC Ambulance website, and it will show you what stations are in need of EMR's, and PCP's. If you are looking at it as a Full Time Career, the you should be prepared to move/commute to Vancouver for a long time. Most people I have talked to and know, start somewhere small like Tofino, Ucluelet, then transfer to Nanaimo, Parksville, then on to Vancouver. To get back to the island you are probably looking at 6 or so years. But then it depends on what kind of training you have (ie PCP. PCP-A, and so fourth)

Here is the site addy

http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/bcas/careers/start/

That should help you out!!

[firemedic379]

Hi janesee,

If you are thinking about applying to Mt. Washington, they also have a seasonal station there (winter only) with BCAS. Something to think about.

Once you are hired by BCAS the ability to lateral is limited to larger centers with just the EMR. There was a freeze on EMRs lateraling at all a little while ago but not sure if that is in effect. I will ask and find out for you.

As for fulltime on the island with BCAS, you are looking at least 4 or 5 years part time to go full time here in Vancouver irregularly scheduled and another 4 or 5 years full time to get back to Victoria irreg. scheduled.

As for full-time fire, EMR/PCP is a definate asset. Here in Surrey there are bunch of us that are full-time fire and PCP and another new recruit is just starting. There are also 2 chiefs in other smaller departments that are full-time chiefs and still practising PCP or ALS here in the Vancouver Post. So any advanced medical training is a definate asset.

As for jobs on the island, try the Crofton pulp mill? Not quite sure if they still have full time protection employees but it was a decent gig.

Hope that helps,

Derek

[janesee]

Thanks for the tips guys, I do realize that working on your seniority whether it be as an EMR or PCP is a BIG thing with BCAS, which is why I'm wanting to get started now. I figure in the next year I will have my PCP so getting my reputation established with practice, hours, and references will be the best thing to get going ASAP. Just have to get my class 4 so even if I can get on as transport, I'm told by the local unit chief that some stations will take that into consideration in your seniority/experience. Figure Ucluelet Tofino would be a good place to start as it will be transport only for me as an EMR, and I'd have a PCP riding along with me - so it will be like riding 3rd as my practice will still be limited. The full time vs part time position doesn't matter to me as I do realize that I need to climb the ladder, so I've planned on getting a second job to work around BCAS' hours should I be able to get on at a station.

Thanks again for the tips - and wish me luck with the EMR course which I start in just a few days!!

[911Caddy]

The "Mountain car" was dissolved about 3 years ago.. Stn 151 (Cumberland) looks after those transfers now.