Re: OKLA Paramedic Shortage

[Guest guest]

Okla. EMSA takes steps to avoid paramedic shortage

By Caliendo

The Journal Record

TULSA, Okla. – Labor shortages are crippling ambulance agencies nationwide

but the state is taking steps to ensure Oklahoma does not follow.

Emergency Medical Services Authority is the state’s largest employer of EMS

personnel and is the sole provider of ambulance service for Tulsa, its

surrounding communities and Oklahoma City. EMSA contracts with Texas-based

Paramedics Plus Inc. to maintain paramedics, emergency medical technicians and

other

patient care staff for daily operations. EMSA and Paramedics Plus have

focused on three areas to avoid labor shortage: wage adjustments, retention and

offering new paramedic training programs.

Tina Wells, EMSA vice president, said Oklahoma is facing paramedic shortages

and EMSA is taking action to prevent a crisis in the future. She said there

is a laundry list of neighboring states that have been affected by the

paramedic shortage.

“We saw the handwriting on the wall, we saw what was happening in other

communities in small rural areas but also big cities, that were having a

significant problem in maintaining an EMS work force,†she said. “So we took

the

steps now so it would never be a problem.â€

Starting June 1, Paramedics Plus increased the salaries of paramedics, EMTs

and medical dispatchers by 12.5 percent. The adjustment brings the average

yearly earnings for an EMSA paramedic to $43,000, Wells said. Employees

certified at the EMT-basic level can expect to earn $29,000.

The median annual earnings of paramedics and EMTs was $27,070 two years ago,

according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Wells said the company saw the importance and benefits of retaining patient

care staff and keeping veteran paramedics from leaving EMSA.

“We want to have fresh folks come in that are new; however, you lose that

experience,†she said. “We want to hold on to the people that already know

the

protocols and geography, and help them grow a career in EMSA.â€

Retention bonuses will be given to patient care staff willing to commit

another year of EMSA service.

It costs nearly $3,000 to bring a new paramedic into their system, said Glenn

Leland, chief operating officer of Paramedics Plus, said in a press release.

Since launching the initiative, Wells said, a handful of part-time employees

have expressed interest in coming back full-time.

In the past, EMTs were enrolled in paramedic classes while working a 40-hour

week. Wells said the system set up those individuals for failure. The new

system allows EMTs to work two of their usual shifts at EMSA while going to

paramedic classes. Paramedics Plus will pay the EMTs 100 percent of their

salary,

and in return EMTs must agree to work as full-time EMSA paramedics for two

years following their training.

“It’s taking the steps necessary for career advancement without sacrificing

pay or family life,†said Wells. “People are excited – people have a

renewed

interest in a long-term career as an EMSA paramedic.â€

Wells said the nationwide paramedic shortage is due to an aging work force.

There are not enough people going into EMS to fill the increasing demand.

She said fewer people pick EMS because of the tough conditions the workers

face. Unlike working at a hospital that has a climate-controlled atmosphere,

paramedics are subjected to a plethora of weather conditions.

“When you’re an EMS you are working in the rain, the snow and ice storms,â€

she said. “EMS workers put their lives on the line while cars are coming

around them and they’re taking care of victims. To be an EMS you have to want

to

help and take care of people.â€

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