WEMT - Job Prospects?

[TTCHA77]

Hello all, I recently completed my WEMT, passed my NREMT-B, and am looking for a job - just about anywhere in the world.

My dream would be (as soon as possible) to get involved in an international WEMT-type job. Traveling, international development and EMS are my passions, and I am looking to bring together those as best I can. However I also love the outdoors - and am looking for something that allows me to help people and be outside/travel. I don't really have interest in Ski Patrol or Guiding however...plus I don't have any of those certs.

Does anyone here have ANY advice, suggestions or thoughts of how I could find such a job?

Thanks in advance!

[DownhillRider]

Don't really know what WEMT is equivalent to, but I'm going to assume it's equivalent to EMT-B, which is EMR up here. If that is the case, you're not going to have many job opportunities while traveling. Ski patrol is probably your best option. I know here in Canada we can't even travel between provinces without registering in said province first/sometimes writing exams, actually traveling out of country would be a whole different ball game, and definitely not worth it if trying to work as just an WEMT. Sorry dude. (Edit: Best of luck though, I do hope I'm wrong and you find something sweet!)

[powder_prophet]

Congrats!! Its a great class, I loved mine. I followed the patrol route, but as far as other ideas...

I had a friend who was a WEMT who worked at Denali base camp as a medic for a season. Not a year round gig, but it sounded incredible. Not sure exactly how you would get into that gig, but its just an idea. Good luck!

[Kevo]

Himalayan Rescue Association in both the Khumbu (Everest) and Manang (Annapurna) both look for qualified medical professionals to volunteer each year. I think they mainly want docs, but it's worth looking into. It would be pretty badass on a resume.

There's lots of real world experience- from helping sick locals and trekkers/climbers, to dealing with some remote trauma medicine.

http://www.himalayanrescue.org/

[snowaddict91]

I have a friend that worked at a ski camp at hood as a medic this year that has her w-emt.

[zion zig zag]

Go to paramedic school and work at an FOB in Afghanistan. 85k+ a year, all living expenses covered, largely tax free income and a crazy amount of trauma experience.

[TTCHA77]

cheers, thanks guys for all the ideas!

that universal catch 22 strikes again - no job w/o experience, but no experience w/o a job!

[summit]

Most countries do not recognize the American EMT certification. Many countries scoff at the minimal nature of the US EMT curriculum as the basis for entry into professional EMS. I agree.

(Before you get your panties a bunch, I'm a WEMT, an EMS instructor, and a hypocrite)

No exciting employer is impressed by a 150-250 hour long class alone. You have to work your way up from the bottom.

Go work as a ski patroller or on an ambulance (probably interfacility) for a season. Then you can at least claim to have basic patient care experience. Join your local SAR team, get some desirable skills and experience. Go to Paramedic school (preferably get a degree, that makes you look better, especially in countries where EMS is a college degree for entry) and work in an ER and on a 911 ambulance. Then you can try to market yourself.

[Hugh Conway]

So what else do you bring to the table? EMT alone isn't desirable enough, alone, to do what you want to do.

[natty dread]

Echo what summit/hugh said
US EMT/Paramedic won't get you anywhere internationally (except maybe with ZZZ's idea)
RN/PA/MD with some real world experience afterward would be a better idea for ya with your interests

[Gilla]

Pretty much the same stuff to say as the others.

I have my W-EMT and the BC equivalent of EMR. Those certs alone really don't mean that much and won't get you that much work. They are best when used w/ other certifications and skills. I wouldn't list your cert as a W-EMT on your resume. List it as a WFR and an EMT-B because thats what it is. These are more recognizable as skills/certs then W-EMT in my experience.

Honestly, if you want to do much with it other then work on an ambulance in a big city you need to get some other training. There aren't going to be that many opportunities internationally other then volunteering both your time and money.

In BC and most of canada, the majority of employers won't recognize your W-EMT and instead want a province specific first aid cert. For instance in BC they want you to have your OFA-3 which is less then a WFR.

Good luck and prove me wrong.

and PS. I got my W-EMT for guiding and my EMR for ski patrol so what do I know anyways, haha.