Local paramedic talks about struggles of job amid EMT shortages and high turnover

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The jobs of EMTs and Paramedics can be stressful and uncertain.

“93% had reported being assaulted on the job. If we quit after those, there wouldn’t be the profession.”

Isaac has been working with Sanford Ambulance for five years. He’s been a paramedic for three of those years.

“Make sure all of our medications are in order, all of our equipment is in place. And pretty much from there we are at the will of dispatch and wherever the people need us. ” 

He says the job is stressful and filled with uncertainty.

“The best way to describe it is constantly you’re in that fight or flight, and then it’s just kind of relying on your training.”

This can lead to a lot of turnover in the field, but it isn’t the only reason that the turnover happens.

“A lot of people use EMS as a stepping stone to advanced care providers, PA’s, NP’s or even medical school. ”

He says the job takes a certain personality to thrive in.

“I want to say the average is five years someone is in here, and it takes a certain person to make it that far.”

“A lot of military personnel, and those people who are used to the more high stress environments.”

“We all seem to have ADHD or something that we can’t do the same mundane thing over and over again each day.”

And that even on the bad days you just power through.

“If I’m being completely honest, a lot of the time your training just takes over, and after the call you realize, ‘Oh yeah, I did all those things.”

But it’s all worth it to help their patients.

“We do the job to help people. Not to have the big critical calls, but to better our community.”