Motivating EMS Personnel
Is Money Everything?
Kenny Brull
EMS 2244 EMS Leadership
Contents INTRODUCTION 3 JOB DESCRIPTION 4 EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK 6 MOTIVATING AND RETAINING EMS PERSONNEL 7 PROGRESSION LADDER 7 EDUCATION BENEFITS 8 CONCLUSION 8 Bibliography 10
INTRODUCTION
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel pay rates can be of concern for a variety of reasons. For example, EMS personnel who are underpaid may not provide the level of response and care because of the lack of monetary fulfillment. In addition, without a competitive rate of pay, quality EMS personnel may become the minority when compared to personnel who lack the knowledge and skills to perform the required duties. It may become increasingly evident that pay rates and lack of benefits could affect the quality of EMS personnel entering the field. For anyone thinking of entering the EMS field, one thing is for certain, and that is the individual is probably not doing so to become wealthy. According to the website PayScale.com, the salary range nationally for an EMT/Paramedic ranges from $20,895 to $50,240, with a median of $32,547 (PayScale, 2013).
(PayScale, 2013)
(PayScale, 2013)
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the average salary for EMS personnel is slightly higher, ranging from $51,730 to $72,901, with the average annual salary of $62,815 (EmsSalary.com, 2013).
(EmsSalary.com, 2013)
(EmsSalary.com, 2013)
So why do people enter the EMS field knowing full well they may never make an above average salary or have at least adequate employee benefits? This question will not have any one answer, but at least there may be alternatives to pay increases and benefit changes that could possibly make entering the EMS a more desirable prospect. Before addressing possible alternatives to pay and benefit changes, a brief outline of the current EMS should be considered.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Emergency Medical Services are typically a function of local government, and can
Bibliography: Chapman, S. A., Lindler, V., Kaiser, J. A., Nielsen, C. S., Bates, T., Hailer-O 'Keefe, L., . . . Wijetunge, G. (2008). EMS Workforce for the 21st Century: A National Assessment. Washington D.C.: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. EmsSalary.com. (2013). Ems Salary Information. Retrieved from EmsSalary.com: http://emssalary.com/ multpl NEWSLETTER. (2013, April). US Population by Year. Retrieved from US Popultation by Year: http://www.multpl.com/united-states-population/table NHTSA. (2007). National EMS Scope of Practice Model. Washington DC: NHTSA. Retrieved March 2013 PayScale. (2013, April 7). Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedic Hourly Rate. Retrieved from PayScale: http://www.payscale.com