Thinking about becoming an EMT, but don’t want to be tied down to a specific company or location?
As an independent contracted EMT, you’re free to choose where you work and when you work.
You may find this is the best option for you if you are someone who regularly travels or has a busy family life.
This guide is going to assist you in becoming an independent contracted EMT:
What is an independent contracted EMT?
Independent contracting is when a paramedic or medical provider, for example, goes out and hires himself/herself out to multiple ambulance companies.
The most common type of EMS service in the US is what’s called the fire-based model.
In this model, ambulances are run directly by the city or county.
The providers are typically paid fixed salaries and working conditions can be somewhat limited depending on what standards are put in place (and where you live).
If you’re an EMT, this means that unless you want to take your chances with sub-par pay or poor benefits, it may not be the best job for you.
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However, and this is where independent contracting comes in, there are many private ambulance companies that need to hire providers.
You may also see these types of EMS services advertised as “private” or “for-profit.”
These companies typically pay the provider on a per-call basis and usually offer more flexible working conditions.
Requirements for becoming a contracted EMT
There aren’t many requirements that come to mind.
- You do need to be certified as an EMT and have a valid driver’s license.
- You should also be able to pass some sort of background check or drug test if these are required by the ambulance company that you’re working for.Visit The Site: networldking52
How to become a contracted EMT
To work as an independent contractor, you need to fill out a company application and put in your resume.
From there, depending on the company, you may be called in for an interview or asked to take a competency test.
Most companies also do some sort of drug screen before hiring new contractors.
You are paid per call, so if you do not have a good history with the company there is no reason for them to continue to work with you.
Benefits of being an independent contractor
The obvious benefit of being an independent contractor is that you aren’t tied down to anyone specific ambulance company.
“If you’ve got a family, this means you can take the jobs where your spouse is (or work as a couple!)”, says Maxim Gorin.
You also get to pick and choose how much work you want to do.
You may find that working one or two days per week satisfies all of your needs and provides enough pay for those days.
Drawbacks of being an independent contractor
The biggest drawback to this type of employment is that you must be ready and able to work at all times.
You need to know the policies and procedures of every ambulance company you contract with so you can follow them exactly, no matter who your patient is.
If you are unable to work for a longer period of time, you may lose all of your contracts.
Tips on what you should know before becoming a contract EMS provider
When it comes to being an independent contractor, there is no “one size fits all.”
You need to pick out the companies that are most convenient for you and make sure they are available when you need them.
For example, if you only contract with one company that is two states away, then you would be unavailable to your contracting companies during that time.
You may want to choose a couple of companies that are fairly close together so you have some flexibility in where you work.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, being an independent contractor provides you with more freedom.
However, it may not be the best choice if you have a family or another job that requires your full attention.
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