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SAN ANTONIO – Emergency medical companies are dealing with staffing shortages throughout the nation and in South Texas.
Problems present earlier than the pandemic have been solely amplified by COVID-19.
After six years as a fight medic for the Army, Angie Kenai determined to take her medical information to the streets as an EMT for Acadian Ambulance.
“You’re there for that person in their worst moment, and you got to do the best you can for them,” Kenai mentioned.
Last 12 months, Acadian launched an accelerated program to get extra EMTs and paramedics into the workforce. That’s how Kenai obtained right here.
Kristine Koerner, a recruiter for Acadian, says there’s nonetheless a shortage.
“Not just at Acadian, but nationally, EMS has taken such a hit. The last thing we want is for someone to call 911 and no one be able to show up,” Koerner mentioned.
Right now Koerner says they’ve 14 paramedic openings, which retains 14 of the Advance Life Support vans out of service.
The Texas Legislature put aside $21.7 million for EMS schooling and retention as part of Senate Bill 8 to help with the shortage.
“That funding allows individuals to come in the door that may not have that opportunity elsewhere,” Koerner mentioned.
The Texas Department of State Health Services created the EMS schooling scholarship fund with that funding.
It’ll cowl the price of getting their EMT, superior EMT, or paramedic certification.
“The only thing that the state requires back from them is 96 hours of their time a month for one year,” Koerner mentioned.
There’s additionally precedence given to folks working in rural counties and underserved areas of our state.
Koerner hopes this can permit them to make up among the misplaced workforces and preserve serving folks dealing with emergencies.
“Really putting it to use to grow individuals internally to make sure that when you call 911, someone’s going to show up at your door,” Koerner mentioned.
The qualification course of is open to anybody 18 years and older with a highschool diploma or GED.
To join this system with Acadian Ambulance, electronic mail kristine.koerner@acadian.com by the start of February. Registration formally closes by February twentieth, orientation is February 22 and the category begins on February twenty seventh.
You also can enroll with the National EMS Academy.
Copyright 2022 by KSAT – All rights reserved.
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