As a Medic, what option do I have while i'm in to prepare myself for civilian employment and success?

2018-11-27T01:52:17-05:00

I'm going to become a Sergeant soon, as I am currently in BLC. I just want to know as a soon-to-be NCO what I can do to progress myself while in-service so that once I get out, i'll be set. I'm married with no kids at the moment.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 2:42 AM

2018-11-27T02:42:05-05:00

Gain certifications, the most directly applicable is NRP (Nationally Registered Paramedic), but all the others (ACLS, PALS, PHTLS/ITLS l, and so on) are helpful.
If you are thinking of college level education as well, look at what the requirements are for your program, and see what you can do to get some of it done now.
Also, look into programs like IPAP and USUHS if provider level is something you’re interested in.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 27 at 2018 5:28 AM

2018-11-27T05:28:10-05:00

The only thing I would ad to SMSgt Shorts great advice would be to continue to hone your leadership, keep your fitness level high, or improve it. Thank you for your service. Great response SMSgt Short!

Response by SGT Mark Estes made Nov 27 at 2018 6:32 AM

2018-11-27T06:32:23-05:00

Use those experiences and knowledge. I’m a Paramedic in the civilian world and had some guys in my class that were military medics. Unfortunately you have to go to medic school once you get out if that’s what you want to do. But you’ll be better prepared than those that don’t have the training or experience!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 7:00 AM

2018-11-27T07:00:23-05:00

Pick a long term goal. Medic is a good entry level introduction to medicine. You can see if you like medicine enough to make a career out of it, and if you don't, you haven't invested too much time. Plus, it will give you exposure to other medical areas of expertise. It's even a good military career. The promotion rates are good and you should be able to retire as an E7 with a broad range of experiences for your resume.

That being said, once you retire, your EMT-B certification isn't worth much. Plan on what you want your long term goal to be and prep for that. Get those letters of recommendation if you're going into a medical field. Maybe you prefer the patient admin or logistics side, get those certifications started before you leave.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 7:04 AM

2018-11-27T07:04:21-05:00

Use your Tuition Assistance!!! It's $4000 a year that you are wasting. Pick a career with good growth prospects, not something you can only be a college professor for.
As an NCO you are in management, that looks pretty good on a resume.
Put those two together and you'll be doing good

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Nov 27 at 2018 8:43 AM

2018-11-27T08:43:14-05:00

Start networking and get as much training as you can for your resume. You might try for a job at a VA hospital; with your military experience they might welcome you with open arms.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 8:50 AM

2018-11-27T08:50:41-05:00

Do you have specific career or personal goals, army or civilian? That kinda is your starting point. The good thing as a medic is that it is awesome on a resume, your ability to promote and move around in the army is high, and your ability to get civilian employment, EMS or healthcare in general, is really high.

I am a civilian paramedic so I am biased on career choices, but even for RN, PA/NP, MD/DO, your experience will be valued.

TA Dollars - use them. The program is now extending soon to licensure as well so you can use it for NREMTP testing as well.

Response by LCDR Keith Trepanier made Nov 27 at 2018 9:43 AM

2018-11-27T09:43:18-05:00

I happen to work for one of the best medical providers in the country. I also happen to be part of our Veteran's committee. We work to hire Veterans and support them once they get into the organization. The challenge we have is that medics like yourself are very well trained but have zero certifications for civilian employment. As SMSgt Short noted, those certifications are key. Without them, most medical providers will not hire you. We are working on a program that would allow us to hire someone like you and assist in certification but we are far from getting that accomplished.

A realistic strategy would be to either get your certifications while on active duty but realize many expire and you have to maintain them or plan to use the GI bill when you leave the service. It will take some time to get certified in whatever field you want to go to but then you will be very marketable. You can get an RN degree or a paramedic certification in two years if that is the route you want to take. It possible to do it in less time if the school you attend will matriculate your job experience into college credits.

Once you have some basic certifications you can continue to educate yourself while you are working in that field. Many health care providers will pay for advanced schooling once you work for them for a while. I have a friend here that started off as a phlebotomist out of high school (hospital paid for his training and then hired him) and is now a doctor. So even if you may have to struggle for a little bit when you get out, how far you go after that is up to you.

Good luck to you.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Nov 27 at 2018 10:03 AM

2018-11-27T10:03:44-05:00

I agree with all the comments, I have two cousins who were Combat Medics and Hospital Medics. Both of them works for the Veterans Administration, this is confirmation that experience do set you on a career path.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Nov 27 at 2018 10:31 AM

2018-11-27T10:31:34-05:00

What is your long term goal?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 2:24 PM

2018-11-27T14:24:25-05:00

As it has been said, further education. Get your Paramedic License (if you go flight medic you will get it btw) or better yet do the PA program. If you do the IPAP program you won't have any student loan debt plus you will make that officer $$$$. I work in the med field on the civ side and 3 of my PA's are military.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 27 at 2018 5:27 PM

2018-11-27T17:27:14-05:00

Work on leadership.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 11:18 PM

2018-11-27T23:18:12-05:00

First Responder or Trauma section, Veteran's hospital

Response by SSG(P) Brian Kliesen made Nov 28 at 2018 2:00 PM

2018-11-28T14:00:12-05:00

Make a plan that allows you to exit the military with your paramedic and as many certs (ACLS, Pals, Pears, etc.) as possible. Depending on where you live, you may have to get a state license and background investigation as well, but having all that will help with the job search. The civilian world does not really know how to look at military experience, they want to see the training and certifications. Being the NCOIC of a clinic or ward at a military hospital, being a field medic to a unit, or even a flight medic are all great, but they don't really transfer unless the hiring person had the same background and experience. The Army PA Program is competitive but you can apply and start the pre-requisites now to help your app. Same if you want to transfer to start nursing school, both are great options.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 28 at 2018 2:51 PM

2018-11-28T14:51:38-05:00

Education and certifications are important. If you can complete education requirements for most of an RN or PA curriculum, then you'll be way ahead when you transition to civilian life. Work with your post education office to see which schools give the most credit for your military training and certifications. A 2-year associate degree program in nursing will allow you to start working as an RN quickly and usually at the same starting pay as a BSN nurse. You can then use your remaining GI Bill to complete your BSN while you're working to support your family. If you want to be a PA, follow a similar track, but you'll need to plan on completing a 4-year degree first. I don't know of any 2-year PA programs. If you have a bigger aspiration and want to go to medical school, then hunker in for 8 to 12 years of schooling, internship, residency, etc., to complete your MD and a specialty.

Keep in mind when you complete your 4-year degree and certification as an RN or PA, that the Reserves or Guard might be happy to make you an offer providing additional income and continued service to your country. My daughter did the ANG SSgt, to Individual Ready Reserve, to Navy Reserve Nurse. Best of luck!