By Jackie Hampton,
Publisher,
Ambulance services nationwide, including the state of Mississippi, are grappling with a severe shortage of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) and paramedics. American Medical Response, (AMR) serving Hinds County had a graduation ceremony Tuesday, July 1, for thirteen new student employees that had completed paid training as EMTs.
Known as the “Earn While You Learn (EWYL) program, AMR hires strong applicants and pays them to take a three-month course. After completing the course, the students are eligible to take a national exam leading to a State Health Department certificate as an EMT. After certification, AMR hires the students full time as EMTs at $18 per hour, which is more than $41,000 per year.
“Our Earn While You Learn program is a win-win-win for our local economy, our company and most importantly, our patients,” said Ryan Wilson, operations manager of AMR Central Mississippi. “Our students who become EMT’s on our ambulances enter a rewarding, good-paying job that will last for decades.”
The graduation was held at the AMR building located at 600 Melvin Bender Drive in Jackson at 10 a.m.
After the processional of students, Course Instructor Malcolm Robinson gave a call to order and welcomed guests. He thanked those present for coming to witness the accomplishments of the students. He said, “Ten weeks prior, these students set out on an adventure that would prove to be challenging and rewarding.”
He stated they began classes on April 22 with 16 students and finished with 13. At the beginning of class he told the students, “If you will give me 10 weeks of your life, I will give you a rewarding career that will last for many years to come.”
Byram Mayor Richard White attended the graduation and gave brief comments. Later he told The Mississippi Link “Having been an EMT for 22 years, everything was great. I think these graduates will hit the ground running and be able to help people in distress and that’s the best part of it. They can be a policeman, work for AMS or become a fireman. It is whatever they desire.”
Wilson later told The Mississippi Link, “We are so incredibly excited to have the opportunity to celebrate these folks. It’s a great day for Hinds County and we are so happy to see them begin their careers.”
Three graduates spoke briefly to The Mississippi Link after receiving their certificates.
Holding flowers presented to her by her mom and grandmother, Tiffany Darnell said, “My goal is to work on the ambulance for a year then go to paramedic school and eventually work on a helicopter as a flight medic with AMR.”
Keaumie Truss stated he plans to attend paramedic school in the next 6 months. He said, “I want to gain as much experience as I can as an EMT and pursue even more with AMR.”
John Ready, who works as a volunteer fireman in MaGee stated, “I plan on furthering my career with AMR and then next step, a paramedic.”
AMR will start its next EWYL EMT course August 12, 2024.
To learn more contact the operation’s EMT instructor at Malcolm.robinson@gmr.net or call 601-919-7860. To apply, visit www.amr.net/careers.
(See more photos, page 3.)
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