Pros
Good pay, good benefits, Unlimited amounts of knowledge available, You will see things that you can only see at a Level I trauma center.
Cons
Pay "equality" - EMT-B's with 15 years of experience are paid the same as Paramedics with 15 years of experience, RN's receive multiple pay differentials that aren't available to EDT's (ex: call in pay, off weekend pay, off shift pay); Safety - EDT's and other EDC's are required to sit out in the waiting room with no protective barrier regardless of multiple safety incidences. It has been brought up to management situation still remains the same; Overworked - RN's abuse the EDT's in regards to doing there work while they sit and socialize then complain when there are no EDT's and they have "too much work to do"; "Tuition Reimbursement"- UW Health's policy to reimburse education that directly relates to position with UW Health. If you are a EMT looking for a Paramedic education, UW Health won't provide it because EMTs and Paramedics are viewed as equals; High management turnover in the ED; Paramedics can't use any of their skills even though they're licensed to do so, but start IVs, because it isn't in the EDT job description, but they will train EMT-B's to start IV's even though they aren't licensed to do so because it is in the EDT job description; Department is never fully staffed, Can't keep up with the high turnover (RNs and EDTs); Management never asks for input of any ED staff. Decisions are just made no mater the result; Unless you are an RN, you will never be viewed as an equal member of the team until it is convenient for the department; "Continuing Education" - UWED doesn't reimburse any expenses required to maintain you licensure (i.e. refreshers/CEUs), but they will for RN's; Overall fear for job security.
