By Heather Caliendo
Journal Record Legislative Report
OKLAHOMA CITY — 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. “
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. “
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. “
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,” 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. “