HSE EMT interviews 2009

Elessar · 10-01-2010 12:45AM

scott22 wrote: »

Its definatly not 2500 wasted, I found the EMT course a big advantage when doing the paramedic course. Gives you a very good head start. Interested to know who said ye would defo get jobs out of the EMT course tho ?

This was being said during emt courses throughout 2009. It used to be true, up until early last year EMTs could walk into a job as there was a shortage in the private sector. But not since around the middle of last year. There are no jobs anymore as the private companies are only taking on Paramedics (HSE contracts want only these now) and the market is flooded with out of work EMTs. Even as a Paramedic I believe it is not as easy as before to find work.

Nonetheless it's a great qualification and the 2.5k was certainly not mis-spent. Having the EMT is as good as having a good amount of the Paramedic course under your belt (theory).

400R · 12-01-2010 10:55AM

Hi all,newbie to this thread. Just been having a good read of it from page 1 and am gutted to hear about this leaving cert craic! :mad: Does life expierience count for nothing nowadays!?

I'm not just ranting because it affects me now but i've always been a believer that the Leaving cert was a bit over rated. I mean knowing exactly what you want to do for the rest of you're life at 18 years of age is big task! How are you supposed to know-you don't even know what life's about!? Personally when i was in school i had absolutely no interest (like a lot of people) and all i wanted was to get out in the world and earn money! And i did just that-got myself an apprenticeship and earned my qualification. It was only after that that i realised i actually like learning. I've done more courses and got more qualifications since then than you would ever do in 5 years of secondary school!

In relation to this thread (sorry i know i went a bit off topic there!

) i became very interested when i saw that the IATI were now running part time EMT courses. Unfortunately i just saw it too late (this week) and haven't been able to raise the funds for the course commencing end of this month. But i wasn't too put out-figured i'd just save and be ready for next one. As regards expierience i spent 4 years in the Fire Service and succesfully completed the EFR course through DFB.
So i'm just wondering now am i wasting 2.5K doing the course if i'm never going to be able to be an EMT because i don't have a leaving cert!? Is it just working through the HSE i wouldn't be able to do because of that or are there any other options open to me?

P.s lost track of thread by page 19 so i'm not sure whose made it or who hasn't! But to anyone in the middle of it or waiting on it best of luck!

emer tech · 12-01-2010 11:48AM

Hi 400R

I agree with you about not knowing what you want to do when your 18 and doing a leaving Cert.
If you do the EMT course in will stand to you in any job you go for.
But i think if your really really want to be a paramedic you would nt let anything stop you..... and you go back and get your leaving, ! (just my opinion)

k_d · 20-01-2010 12:23PM

anybody? anything? rumours?

ebbies · 20-01-2010 12:33PM

Exactly! Anyone any info?? Did interview last May, on panel waiting to be called. Getting a bit antsy, as was on a panel that was scrapped/terminated after a year had passed! No calls, letters, anything to let us know what the hell is going on or if & when training might begin. Starting to feel like I have applied for a job for bloody MI5

emer tech · 21-01-2010 12:05AM

Hi all,

Heard this evening there will be no more classes this year :mad: No money
Came from a tutor in one of the colleges.
Then again until you hear it from the horses mouth, you d never know !!!!!!

youneverknow · 21-01-2010 12:55AM

k_d wrote: »

anybody? anything? rumours?

i think i have more chance on winning the lotto, and when i do barbados is where i am going ha ha ha

k_d · 21-01-2010 11:28AM

not looking good at all. I wonder is it that they have no money or is it that they have given into UCD.

medic780 · 23-01-2010 11:05PM

Hi guys took this from a paper called Waterford Today
Statement: HSE affirms commitment to National Ambulance Service
While awaiting confirmation of the outcome of today's ballot, the HSE has re-affirmed its commitment to the development and expansion of the National Ambulance Service. Any suggestion of the HSE moving to privatise the National Ambulance Service is mischievous and untrue.
As a number of different private contracts had existed under the former health board regime, the HSE was obliged to initiate a tendering competition under EU regulations. This would also guarantee patient safety, quality of service and a standardised approach.
It should be noted that this tender and the total work of the private companies represents less than four per cent of the total budget of the National Ambulance Service. It refers in the main to the transportation of patients - not emergency call outs.
However, the HSE is willing to continue the discussions with the representative bodies around this issue that were initiated in May last year. At that time a partnership sub group was established with a view to developing a National Framework Agreement on the role and function of private ambulance companies.
The HSE met with union representatives on six occasions in relation to this specific issue and is open to meet again to address ongoing issues. The HSE however, was obliged to go ahead with the tender process as to defer would have compromised patient safety. The tender process has now allowed for the HSE to standardise these transportation services and guarantee patient safety.
The HSE is committed to the ongoing expansion and development of the National Ambulance Service. Over the past twelve months, the HSE has made significant investment in the expansion of the National Ambulance fleet, the development of ambulance bases, the recruitment of Emergency Medical Technicians and the ongoing training of staff. This development will continue with planned recruitment and the development and ongoing education of ambulance staff, along with the development of ambulance bases over the coming years.
Speaking today, Mr Frank McClintock, Head of the National Ambulance Service said: "The HSE is totally committed to the development of the National Ambulance Service. The private companies represent a very small part of the work we do - our expenditure of less than 4% of our total budget clearly demonstrates this. In the main their work is focused on the transportation of patients rather than emergency call outs. We need our highly qualified and emergency personnel for emergency work. However, we also need to transport patients and we need to ensure the safety of those patients. But I would stress that we have met with the unions several times in relation to this issue and we continue to be open to meeting again to discuss their concerns."
the transportation of patients rather than emergency call outs. We need our highly qualified and emergency personnel for emergency work. However, we also need to transport patients and we need to ensure the safety of those patients. But I would stress that we have met with the unions several times in relation to this issue and we continue to be open to meeting again to discuss their concerns."

COS1 · 24-01-2010 02:34PM

That article is dated 27 February 2008.

http://www.waterford-today.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2413&Itemid=10328&ed=227

emthopeful · 27-01-2010 07:42PM

Hi Guys

I'm doing the next EMT course with the IATI starting feb 1st . I was just wondering if anyone else has done this course , what's it like, how long it will be , and if work is guaranteed at the end of it?

27-01-2010 08:49PM

There's a thread with more info on the particular course somewhere in the ES forum.
But to answer you questions I've done it, I found it very good, 4 weeks classroom and 1 weeks placement (mine was in a&e) I didnt do it in the hope of looking for employment but if thats your sole reason i'd put it to bed fairly quick and forget about it.

There's so many emt's passing thru now that the private companys can pick at will, and they even seem to be leaning more towards paramedics as opposed to emt's now so id say the chances of work are next to none

Elessar · 27-01-2010 08:51PM

emthopeful wrote: »

Hi Guys

I'm doing the next EMT course with the IATI starting feb 1st . I was just wondering if anyone else has done this course , what's it like, how long it will be , and if work is guaranteed at the end of it?

I did the course last year with the hope of finding employment. I'm still looking. Anyone I know who did the course from last year on is still looking for work. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but there are no jobs for EMTs in this country at the moment.

I've heard a figure of over 800 EMTs now on the register.

emthopeful · 29-01-2010 04:14AM

Hmm interesting , typical of our government. I heard today off a frend of mine who's a paramedic, that the EMT grade is being phased out next year , is this true

DUBDUBDUB · 29-01-2010 01:28PM

I dont know but absolutely nothing, nothing would surprise me now. I would not be too shocked if the got all the ambulances, staff and panel members into a big field somewhere in Leitrim, piled them up and set fire to the lot while they danced around us naked.

We will see what happens. All we can do is wait. The HSE staff I am sure dont want to mess anyone about but they can only do as they are asked and there is only so much cash. All we can do is wait

DubMedic · 29-01-2010 04:30PM

emthopeful wrote: »

Hmm interesting , typical of our government. I heard today off a frend of mine who's a paramedic, that the EMT grade is being phased out next year , is this true

Unless you hear it officially.. it is merely rumored to be happening.

.

emthopeful · 31-01-2010 11:54PM

Hi Guys

Starting the EMT course in Portlaoish tommorow, is anyone else doing this course

medicfar · 01-02-2010 08:36PM

how did you get on today will it be worth the fees do you think
and who is the course with
and please keep us imformed

emthopeful · 02-02-2010 08:23AM

The course is broken into two parts , the CFR and the EMT . Yesterday we did our CFR certification which went well. The course instructor Catherine was brilliant , I was the only person in the class who hadn't done the EFR , but i was able to keep up fine , and pass all my mcq's at th end . We start the EMT training this morning , so i'll keep you updated on it . The training is done with the IATI.

DUBDUBDUB · 05-02-2010 03:59PM

Is there anybody out there????

leemed · 05-02-2010 05:19PM

Hi dubdubdub is it time for us to forget about 09 panel and start again

emthopeful · 05-02-2010 06:05PM

Well we've finished the CFR , and it went very well. This week we started on Patient Assesment , Vital Signs , and the cardio vascular system , and just started ECG's . It's a very interesting course , requires alot of study , which i don't mind putting in the effort for . The tutors are all sound aswell.

As for last years panel, if they haven't started by June / July i think it is . The HSE will scrap it. What a bunch of b****** though , i'm really not hearing good things about them , it seems they have their heads shoved firmy up their a**** when it comes to pre hospital emergency care .

06-02-2010 12:30AM

Take it with a pinch of salt if you will but my friend whos on a dublin course at the moment was told by the director of nasc that there is a recruitment planned for the end of march/start of april and that it looks as if the current panel will be disolved.

It must be a horrible position to be in if your waiting on the panel, as i said take it as hear say if you will be it came from the horses mouth so to speak

DUBDUBDUB · 06-02-2010 01:53PM

eireal wrote: »

Take it with a pinch of salt if you will but my friend whos on a dublin course at the moment was told by the director of nasc that there is a recruitment planned for the end of march/start of april and that it looks as if the current panel will be disolved.

It must be a horrible position to be in if your waiting on the panel, as i said take it as hear say if you will be it came from the horses mouth so to speak

I have heard the same. recruitment for May. Can those of us waiting on the panel reapply? Surely we can??

I was also told future recruitment will involve a driving test (even if you have C1 and D1), leaving cert and possibly a physical test (similar to gardai but easier, which is grand as the gardai fitness test isnt the most difficult anyway). That may not be 100% correct but nothing would surprise me now.

Elessar · 06-02-2010 01:59PM

DUBDUBDUB wrote: »

I have heard the same. recruitment for May. Can those of us waiting on the panel reapply? Surely we can??

I was also told future recruitment will involve a driving test (even if you have C1 and D1), leaving cert and possibly a physical test (similar to gardai but easier, which is grand as the gardai fitness test isnt the most difficult anyway). That may not be 100% correct but nothing would surprise me now.

I wouldn't be surprised. It's about time these came in anyway, it's the same in the UK but fitness tests are akin to those joining the fire brigade. You have to be really fit. Driving tests are required in several ambulance trusts aswell.

Now if only I had my C1 and D1!

06-02-2010 04:18PM

Just to add to what they were told, fitness and driving tests to also be brought in for the next recruitment, and also only C1 licence required at time of aptitude test.

There was also a warning given re leaving cert results and the situation with ucd, aparently they are very picky about equivalency of courses completed too.

I wouldnt be suprised if this year sees the most applications ever, Even my own friends who would have worked in construction ect and are out of work now have a sudden intrest in becoming paramedics!

DUBDUBDUB · 06-02-2010 06:12PM

eireal wrote: »

Just to add to what they were told, fitness and driving tests to also be brought in for the next recruitment, and also only C1 licence required at time of aptitude test.

There was also a warning given re leaving cert results and the situation with ucd, aparently they are very picky about equivalency of courses completed too.

I wouldnt be suprised if this year sees the most applications ever, Even my own friends who would have worked in construction ect and are out of work now have a sudden intrest in becoming paramedics!

Do we now if it would be the same leaving cert equivalent as the Gardai?? I have the required for them but no higher I am afraid.

Just a quick question, could you define what you mean about equivalency of courses? Do you mean overseas equivalent of leaving cert?? Ta

06-02-2010 06:26PM

Im not familiar with the gaurds leaving cert but she told me it was something like 5passes and one of them must be a science based subject ie biology.

On equivalancy I mean courses done here. Eg if someone hadnt done the leaving cert but had their nqemt would it suffice as equivalant to the LC, he said that he was unsure if the Nqemt would suffice on its own but told her that the course she is doing *should* count as an equivalant but he was trying to obtain written confirmation from ucd on that.

COS1 · 07-02-2010 02:41PM

eireal wrote: »

Im not familiar with the gaurds leaving cert but she told me it was something like 5passes and one of them must be a science based subject ie biology.

On equivalancy I mean courses done here. Eg if someone hadnt done the leaving cert but had their nqemt would it suffice as equivalant to the LC, he said that he was unsure if the Nqemt would suffice on its own but told her that the course she is doing *should* count as an equivalant but he was trying to obtain written confirmation from ucd on that.

Hi, Could you PM me the name of the course she is doing? Thank You

Elessar · 07-02-2010 02:54PM

Eireal you mentioned only a C1 licence requirement to apply, did you hear anything about the D1? Is that no longer a requirement at all? I understand this is all speculation though.

FYI a Fetac Level 5 cert is equivalent to a leaving cert. Most PLC courses are at least this level.

HSE EMT interviews 2009

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