By Justin Chapura
The State (Columbia, South Carolina)
Copyright 2007 The State
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
Sgt. Rich McMahan is a senior paramedic with the Richland County Emergency Services Department. He spoke with the Columbia Business Journal about his job:
WHAT’S THE JOB?
A paramedic’s job can differ based on his rank and experience. McMahan, a crew leader on ambulances, responds to 911 calls and trains new employees and paramedic students.
WHAT’S THE PAY?
Depending on where they work, paramedics can make between $15,000 and $40,000 a year. McMahan makes “in the upper mid-30s.”
WHAT ARE THE PLUSES?
“Being outside, interacting with people — you meet all kinds of people on this job.” The county’s employment benefits include life and health insurance and a state pension plan.
WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE?
“We are a 911 service, so sometimes there is no break from that. Some days you can run calls all day long. It’s hard to getting something to eat.”
Calls to 911 that don’t turn out to be emergencies can be “frustrating.” Emergencies can be emotional and graphic. “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something else comes along.”
WHAT ARE THE DEMANDS?
“Physically, you have to get used to lifting patients, using the proper technique. Mentally, you have to handle emergencies well. You’ve got to have heart, too. Like anywhere else, you’ve got to love your job. And I can’t see myself doing anything else.”
WHO WOULD SUCCEED IN THIS JOB?
Personal skills are critical as a 911 call receiver and on the scene of an emergency. “You need to maintain respect. If you don’t, the caller may not cooperate, and that doesn’t reflect well.” Paramedic hopefuls should be able to use the department’s resources to talk about particularly graphic incidents like car crashes. “That type of incident should not be ‘all in a day’s work.’”
WHAT ARE THE HOURS?
Richland County paramedics work 12½-hour shifts, usually three days at a time with two days off, depending on the calendar. Shifts can be during the day or night, starting or ending between 5:30 and 7 a.m.
WHAT EDUCATION DO YOU NEED?
A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required to start in the field, but from there a rigorous course of training and classes ensues. Over 1,040 hours of anatomy, physiology and paramedic training classes are needed, and paramedics must take classes to keep certified. “There’s always a demand for paramedics.”
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
McMahan started in the field in Clinton, Md. “I’ve been running calls since I was 16, so I’m used to the job.” He became a certified paramedic in the Washington, D.C., area in 1996, then moved and retrained in Columbia in 1998.
IS THERE ROOM FOR ADVANCEMENT?
There are three levels of emergency medical trainee and four ranks of paramedic. “A lot of people call us ambulance drivers, but there’s a whole lot more to it.”