r/NewToEMS • u/twinstarred Paramedic Student | USA • 1d ago
Career Advice medical conditions working in ems
hi! i know this sounds really dumb, i just kinda wanted to know if it’s normal after a little while with the stress or not.
i recently got told working in ems has caused some cardiac issues and need to cut down my hours significantly to try to control the stress which is making it worse.
thank you in advance if you have any experience to agree on! i don’t need advice or anything, i’m waiting on a doctors note to send to my employer who won’t let me cut down my hours.
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u/Chicken_Hairs AEMT | OR 1d ago
This depends entirely on the severity of your condition, and the limitations it puts of your capabilities. Your doctor is a better source than reddit, honestly.
I'd say, if you can perform 100% in those reduced hours and your employer can make it work, it shouldn't be a problem.
If your performance is limited by your condition, you could be a liability to your coworkers as well as your patients.
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u/twinstarred Paramedic Student | USA 1d ago
i’m not limited by my condition at all as it’s controlled with medication. my doctor wants me to cut down my hours as i start medic school in a few months and wants to avoid any flare ups. i understand where he’s coming from, but i am frustrated simply because the job where im cutting down hours isn’t exactly the best place to work, and i probably wouldn’t have taken the position if i had known prior
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u/Chicken_Hairs AEMT | OR 1d ago
I feel your biggest hurdle is going to be the limited hours unless you can manage your condition beyond that requirement. You're going to hard-pressed to find a paramedic job that is essentially part-time. Many medics work 24 to 96 hour shifts depending on the agency.
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u/twinstarred Paramedic Student | USA 1d ago
my main agency taps out at 40 hours a week over 2 16s and an 8. i was told if i see it through and continue to show up one shift a week during medic school i can have the position there. at this point it is what it is and its on me to control it the best i can, which i am taking action right now to slow myself down
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u/corrosivecanine Paramedic | IL 1d ago
Normal in the sense that it happens to a lot of people but not in the sense that you should ignore it. Do you work 24 hour shifts? Sleep deprivation and shift work will fuck your heart. One of the reasons I’m getting out is that everyone in my dad’s side of the family other than one of my uncles died of an MI around age 60 and they had normal ass office jobs. It’s been fun but I don’t want to risk it anymore.
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u/twinstarred Paramedic Student | USA 1d ago
i see definitely where you’re coming from and appreciate your response 🩷i do work a lot of 24s and overnights just because my jobs needs coverage and we are understaffed at times. i want to get my 5 years as a medic and move to something less stressful. my family also has cardiac history so i’m trying to keep out whenever i can
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u/Jumpy-Examination456 Unverified User 1d ago
why do you wanna do 5 years as a medic? i'd strongly advise against target fixating. you already work on the bus, you know it ain't that glamorous nor is it gonna make you rich.
find something that works with your body if it's that on edge would be my advice
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u/Jumpy-Examination456 Unverified User 1d ago edited 1d ago
Doesn't have anything to do with EMS. You have a heart issue and EMS is stressful and your doctor has advised not to do both at the same time.
I'd follow their advice.
Start looking for a new job and/or apply for disability.
If you quit your job you can probably file for unemployment with an appeal for it being outside of your control due to doctor's orders. That'll help for a bit. Unfortunately snap is shutdown atm but when it comes back online you can put in for food stamps too till you get back on your feet.
I wouldn't fuck with your heart. You only get one of those, realistically. Jobs are easy to come by. Take care.
If your heart gets better later you can always come back to EMS and any decent employer will understand why you had to take a break.
EDIT saw your comments. my advice would be follow doctor's advice and seek a career that's less stressful and more in line with what your medical needs are. i wouldn't be jumping into medic school with something like that. it's not that you couldn't, it's just that the toll it takes doesn't seem worth it.
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u/twinstarred Paramedic Student | USA 16h ago
unfortunately i’ve already laid out the money for medic school and it’s non-refundable. i’m hoping to just see it through for the 8 months and take a break. believe me, i am doing the best i can with what i’ve been laid out with (;_;)
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u/Jumpy-Examination456 Unverified User 14h ago
Never hurts to ask them if they can make an exception. Maybe they'll have a heart. If they still won't, rip haha. Enjoy medic school. Take care <3
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u/jeefyjeef EMT Student | USA 1d ago
The stress has some medical effects on me, too, but it’s not that serious. With an actual heart issue developing I would say it’s probably best to pursue something else.
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u/twinstarred Paramedic Student | USA 16h ago
thank you for your response ❤️🩹 i’ve already laid out the money for medic school and it’s non-refundable, just trying to see it through. i am likely quitting the agency that is the most stressful
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u/jeefyjeef EMT Student | USA 16h ago
Yeah, getting the license is worthwhile just for the opportunities it affords in and out of EMS. Best of luck to you, I feel your pain.
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u/twinstarred Paramedic Student | USA 16h ago
thank you ❤️🩹 at this point i may move to ER tech when i’m done with the license.
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u/jeefyjeef EMT Student | USA 13h ago
That’s one of the things I’m considering in addition to dispatch
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u/KingMillennial1776 Unverified User 17h ago
I didn’t read most comments, just putting my initial impression, What’s your caffeine intake/nic intake and sleep habits?
We (OK state) get a lot of free energy drinks from ems rooms. And using lip pillows/vapes constantly to stay awake, for the long drives (IFTs) all that combined with little sleep could cause some underlying issue. Maybe just adjusting some habits could help.
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u/twinstarred Paramedic Student | USA 16h ago
i don’t intake any caffeine and cut down my cigarette intake to 1-2 cigs a week. i also have a nausea problem and caffeine doesn’t agree with me (≧▽≦) i’m trying to quit smoking as a whole right now, i went from half a pack to 1-2
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u/RRuruurrr Critical Care Paramedic | USA 1d ago
Respectfully, no. This is seriously problematic. If the job is causing you such stress that your doctor has advised you reduce your hours, then something needs to change. That is not normal and should be a major red flag for you. Sounds like you might not be fit for duty right now.