Q: What are the qualifications for employment with Rural/Metro?
All applicants must complete a background check, Motor Vehicle Report, and pre-hire drug screen. EMT, Intermediate, and Paramedic positions require a clean driving record, as well as current NYS EMT Certifications.
Q: What is Rural/Metro's hiring process?
First, you must submit an application for the position that you are interested in. Qualified candidates will then be invited to our pre-hire lifting skill interview. Following the skills interview, there will be an in-person interview, background check, and pre-hire drug screen. Successful applicants will then be invited to attend Orientation.
Q: Where can I get EMT training?
Rural/Metro frequently offers the NYS EMT-B certification training program. Visit our Training page for information on future courses. The New York State Department of Health Bureau of EMS also has an excellent Web site with contact information regarding EMS training throughout the State of New York.
Q: How is pay determined?
Rural/Metro's competitive, experience-based pay for EMTs, Intermediates, and Paramedics, along with a comprehensive benefits package, combine to form a great compensation package. Our wage scale is based on years of service at your current level of certification, with annual merit increases.
Q: What, exactly, is orientation?
One of the things that we at Rural/Metro WNY pride ourselves on is our orientation process. It is 7 days of intense classroom work geared on developing successful Rural/Metro employees. In that time, you will learn about all of the policies and procedures for our area, as well as tips and practice on map reading, navigation, patient handling and immobilization. It is designed to expand upon the EMT class, providing additional knowledge to make the transition into professional EMS an easy one.
Following the classroom work, you are placed with a Field Training Officer (FTO). You will work on an ambulance as a third person with your FTO. This will allow you to work on your patient care skills, driving, and learning how to cooperate with local fire departments, police, and hospital staffs. This time with your FTO will last about 240 hours. After that, you will be placed on a General Transport (GT) ambulance. Our GT ambulances do non-emergency transports only. This opportunity allows you to work with another new employee in a lower stress situation, gaining experience in navigation of the City of Buffalo and local hospitals, while also familiarizing yourself with our local skilled nursing facilities.
After you have completed all of these steps, you will then be cleared to work on BLS and/or ALS 911 emergency ambulances. This extensive process helps to ensure the success of our new employees.
Q: Will Rural/Metro pay for my training?
Yes! You are required to obtain your initial EMT certification, but Rural/Metro will pay for continuing medical education classes, necessary recertifications, AHA cards and Paramedic training.
Q: What is the pre-hire lifting skill interview?
The pre-hire lifting skill interview is the second step in the hiring process. It is an interview, so please come dressed accordingly. However, you will be lifting and moving, so keep that in mind when selecting your clothing and footwear.