Guest guest Posted August 3, 2002 Report Share Posted August 3, 2002 U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, at your local federal building. rellisnremtp wrote: > I work for a private service. I left a 24 hr shift to work a 12 hr > shift because my hourly rate went up almost 5 dollars an hour. > Management says that your hourly rate is what it is, so if you work > an extra shift for OT and you are on a 24 hr shift, your hr rate > stinks. > I have worked extra the last pay period, 122 hrs in 2 wk period, > common on 24/48. My check was almost double from when I was on a 24 > hr shift with that hourly rate. I am not complaining, but what law in > Texas says that a company can set a salary per year, but pay > different rates when you work different shifts? Approx. 2920 hours > per year for 24 hr shifts vs. 2184 hrs per year for 12 hr shifts. The > company I work for (you don't sleep) we are to busy with transfers, > 24 hr shifts get slammed. I just feel bad for the other guys on the > 24hr shifts. I am staying on the 12hr shifts, 736 hrs per year less > work with same pay, I can spend with family. Somebody tell me what > labor laws or avenues that I can persue to look this up. Thank you > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2002 Report Share Posted August 3, 2002 It's all in what you agree to. While they can't change your pay based on shift, they can offer differentials, of offer different wages for different primary shift arragements. For each employee, his wage is a contractual agreement between him and his employer. For some, working the 24's is ample compensation for a lower wage. For others, working more days on on 12's is worth it only for a higher wage. What they cannot do is hire you as an hourly employee and pay you one wage on a 12-hour shift and another on a 24-hour shift without your explicit agreement at the time of hire in your employment agreement, unless it clearly states what part of your earnings are wages vs. differentials. Salaries are a wholly different concept. For this, you need a determination that you are an " exempt " worker not required to be paid hourly. And it means that regardless of your hours, your base pay never changes. I don't belive ANY private EMS workers fall under an exemption to qualify them as " salaried " under wage and hour law, but I could be mistaken. Contact the local TWC office and ask them. Mike > paramedic pay > > > I work for a private service. I left a 24 hr shift to work a 12 hr > shift because my hourly rate went up almost 5 dollars an hour. > Management says that your hourly rate is what it is, so if you work > an extra shift for OT and you are on a 24 hr shift, your hr rate > stinks. > I have worked extra the last pay period, 122 hrs in 2 wk period, > common on 24/48. My check was almost double from when I was on a 24 > hr shift with that hourly rate. I am not complaining, but what law in > Texas says that a company can set a salary per year, but pay > different rates when you work different shifts? Approx. 2920 hours > per year for 24 hr shifts vs. 2184 hrs per year for 12 hr shifts. The > company I work for (you don't sleep) we are to busy with transfers, > 24 hr shifts get slammed. I just feel bad for the other guys on the > 24hr shifts. I am staying on the 12hr shifts, 736 hrs per year less > work with same pay, I can spend with family. Somebody tell me what > labor laws or avenues that I can persue to look this up. Thank you > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 follow up...... Is $12.00 / hour considered high wages in your area, Jane? Forgive my ignorance, I am employed in Central Texas and the pay scale is much different then that. Thanks, Re: paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > > I, too, work for a transfer service and totally sympathize with the > lower > > pay. My partner, for the last four years, has decided to reenlist in the > > army to get a better pay scale and more secure job. Transfer services are > in > > the business to make money.When you work 24 hr. shifts, you save them > money. > > They feel that the " trade off " is that you only work 2-3 days a week. But > if > > you work at a transfer service that is busy or is back up for a major > > service, then you are making them more money than the 12 hr. or " day > crews " > > while busting your butt. Night shifts have more potential for the high > > dollar transfers such as ACLS, PALS and MICU. So, you may run several > calls > > during the day for dialysis/BLS and then run 4-5 calls from 2300-0700 that > > are more severe. And, we do all this for a $12.00/hr salary that can't > > support our families without another job. We asked for it however. I don't > > remember anyone telling me I'd be rich or well rested 25 yrs ago. when I > got > > into this mess. > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 what about services that pay per shift not hourly and do not pay time and a half? --- Jane Hill wrote: > Hey, Mike, according to our FLSA rep it has nothing > to do with an " explicit > agreement at the time of hire. " There are certain > guidelines for pay and > those are the same for everyone, regardless, is my > understanding. Am I > missing something? > > Jane Hill > > paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > I work for a private service. I left a 24 hr > shift to work a 12 hr > > > shift because my hourly rate went up almost 5 > dollars an hour. > > > Management says that your hourly rate is what it > is, so if you work > > > an extra shift for OT and you are on a 24 hr > shift, your hr rate > > > stinks. > > > I have worked extra the last pay period, 122 hrs > in 2 wk period, > > > common on 24/48. My check was almost double from > when I was on a 24 > > > hr shift with that hourly rate. I am not > complaining, but what law in > > > Texas says that a company can set a salary per > year, but pay > > > different rates when you work different shifts? > Approx. 2920 hours > > > per year for 24 hr shifts vs. 2184 hrs per year > for 12 hr shifts. The > > > company I work for (you don't sleep) we are to > busy with transfers, > > > 24 hr shifts get slammed. I just feel bad for > the other guys on the > > > 24hr shifts. I am staying on the 12hr shifts, > 736 hrs per year less > > > work with same pay, I can spend with family. > Somebody tell me what > > > labor laws or avenues that I can persue to look > this up. Thank you > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Services that pay per shift and do not pay time and a half are out there and to my understanding ( I'm just an " ignorant " paramedic) they are " exempt " from labor laws due to the " nature of the employment " . This is my employer's justification for my questioing of no overtime pay adjustments and working more than 24hrs at a time. How many times have EMS personnel worked 48, 72 hours straight? That's illegal too but we're asked to do it much more than seems legal or safe. Relief doesn't show up, you're stuck! Seems very unhealthy for the medic and the patients they serve or at least try to serve. " It doesn't change until we change it " is all well and good but when it's a transfer service, they'll let you go in a heart beat because they know there's more " newbies " out there who'll work for less and NOT complain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Flatly illegal. Mike > Re: paramedic pay > > > what about services that pay per shift not hourly and > do not pay time and a half? > --- Jane Hill wrote: > > Hey, Mike, according to our FLSA rep it has nothing > > to do with an " explicit > > agreement at the time of hire. " There are certain > > guidelines for pay and > > those are the same for everyone, regardless, is my > understanding. Am > > I missing something? > > > > Jane Hill > > > > paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > > > > I work for a private service. I left a 24 hr > > shift to work a 12 hr > > > > shift because my hourly rate went up almost 5 > > dollars an hour. > > > > Management says that your hourly rate is what it > > is, so if you work > > > > an extra shift for OT and you are on a 24 hr > > shift, your hr rate > > > > stinks. > > > > I have worked extra the last pay period, 122 hrs > > in 2 wk period, > > > > common on 24/48. My check was almost double from > > when I was on a 24 > > > > hr shift with that hourly rate. I am not > > complaining, but what law in > > > > Texas says that a company can set a salary per > > year, but pay > > > > different rates when you work different shifts? > > Approx. 2920 hours > > > > per year for 24 hr shifts vs. 2184 hrs per year > > for 12 hr shifts. The > > > > company I work for (you don't sleep) we are to > > busy with transfers, > > > > 24 hr shifts get slammed. I just feel bad for > > the other guys on the > > > > 24hr shifts. I am staying on the 12hr shifts, > > 736 hrs per year less > > > > work with same pay, I can spend with family. > > Somebody tell me what > > > > labor laws or avenues that I can persue to look > > this up. Thank you > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Actually, there is *no* documented restriction on the length of shift you can work in EMS. No legislation that curtails it. EMS agencies, for the most part, are *not* generally exempt agencies due to the nature of employment. Some, becasuse of they way they are structured and how they are run, can be, but in those cases FLSA governs the exemptions and " categorizes " them, a la the 52 and 56 hour police and fire work-cycles (3 week cycles, etc.). Even then, those agencies are subject to overtime pay above and beyond their " standard " work week. My longest personal shift was over 72 hours, during Tropical Storm . Any of that over 40 was overtime, in my case. And believe me, every crew we had was tired after the stuff we went through in those few days (but who in Houston wasn't?). If you don't believe me about overtime, take a look at http://www.ccemsovertime.com - Cypress Creek EMS is undergoing a civil lawsuit with regards to overtime as we speak, and it may soon be expanded to include ALL of their overtime practices (then again, it may not - I am not a party to the suit nor am I involved in it in any way), including their method of paying overtime on shift work. Or, call Cy-Fair VFD. They got audited by the DOL and had to pay back-wages to lots of employees, and were forced to strictly delineate between volunteers and employees. I'm sure they have lots of good advice. Mike > Re: paramedic pay > > > > Services that pay per shift and do not pay time and a half > are out there and to my understanding ( I'm just an > " ignorant " paramedic) they are " exempt " from labor laws due > to the " nature of the employment " . This is my employer's > justification for my questioing of no overtime pay > adjustments and working more than 24hrs at a time. > > How many times have EMS personnel worked 48, 72 hours > straight? That's illegal too but we're asked to do it much > more than seems legal or safe. Relief doesn't show up, you're > stuck! Seems very unhealthy for the medic and the patients > they serve or at least try to serve. > > " It doesn't change until we change it " is all well and good > but when it's a transfer service, they'll let you go in a > heart beat because they know there's more " newbies " out there > who'll work for less and NOT complain. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 , Sorry to butt in. I realize this was addressed to Jane, but I feel compelled to comment. 12 bucks an hour is on the high side everywhere except for your area and some of the larger cities. Read the annual salary report printed in Texas EMS magazine and you will see what I mean. I guess Austin started it in your area, paying more and more. Your service had to keep up if you didn't want all your medics heading south. In Dallas and Houston and some other Texas cities the 911 service is fire-based and therefore paid union scale. But the transfer services in those cities pay little more than minimum wage. Ft. Worth uses the public utility model and farms EMS out to a contractor. I think it is Rural Metro this week. Maybe one of their medics will chime in and tell us what average pay is there, but I'll bet it isn't 12 bucks. There are medics all over this state still working for $7.00 / hour and under. 30 some-odd counties in this state aren't willing to pay even minimum wage, nor will they fund the equipment for a volly service, so those counties have no EMS at all. My home is less than 100 miles from town. The county 3rd service here has three full-time medics working for under 20K annual salary. Such is the state of EMS in Texas. Consider yourself fortunate, . Regards, Donn ~ Re: paramedic pay ~ ~ ~ follow up...... ~ ~ Is $12.00 / hour considered high wages in your area, Jane? Forgive my ~ ignorance, I am employed in Central Texas and the pay scale is much ~ different then that. ~ ~ Thanks, ~ ~ ~ Re: paramedic pay ~ > > ~ > > ~ > > > ~ > > > I, too, work for a transfer service and totally sympathize with the ~ > lower ~ > > pay. My partner, for the last four years, has decided to ~ reenlist in the ~ > > army to get a better pay scale and more secure job. Transfer services ~ are ~ > in ~ > > the business to make money.When you work 24 hr. shifts, you save them ~ > money. ~ > > They feel that the " trade off " is that you only work 2-3 days a week. ~ But ~ > if ~ > > you work at a transfer service that is busy or is back up for a major ~ > > service, then you are making them more money than the 12 hr. or " day ~ > crews " ~ > > while busting your butt. Night shifts have more potential for the high ~ > > dollar transfers such as ACLS, PALS and MICU. So, you may run several ~ > calls ~ > > during the day for dialysis/BLS and then run 4-5 calls from 2300-0700 ~ that ~ > > are more severe. And, we do all this for a $12.00/hr salary that can't ~ > > support our families without another job. We asked for it however. I ~ don't ~ > > remember anyone telling me I'd be rich or well rested 25 yrs ~ ago. when I ~ > got ~ > > into this mess. ~ > > > ~ > > > ~ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 I have a real question (no flames please, this is really a question!). There seems to be a HUGE disparity in pay within the same geographic region! I don't know why that is. We have Paramedics making $9.50/hr (around $20,000/yr without OT), and we have services in the same areas making in the $42,000 range without OT (I figured the first on 2080 hrs, and the second on a 24/48, so there may be a difference in how many hours that works out to vs 2080). So why a 100% differential? What makes the difference? If we assume $40k+ is a living wage, and that's close to what Paramedics are worth, then why do some work for 1/2 that? I know pay varies a lot, but within a given area it shouldn't be THAT broad a range, should it? =Steve= Wiseman wrote: > Ok, > > Since Mike opened the door and I am the coordinator for our hiring > process... > > We only accept applications from Paramedics with 2 years experience or more, > or graduate from a Nationally Accredited Paramedic Program, or graduate from > a program that did the majority of their clinical practice time with > on County EMS. > > That being said, the process itself involves a written exam, written for the > experienced medic, physical (lifting and moving), static station (EKG > strips, give a diagnosis, treatment and why, Q & A), and the patient > assessment section. Then background checks are administered and candidates > are selected for Oral Interviews with an Interview board comprised of the > Medical Director and employees at various levels of the Chain-of-Command and > with various specialties in the system. > > It is a very competitive process, but well worth it in the end. > > I can't quote the starting salary for you but it is approx. $42,000 per > year, including only your built in OT while working 24/48 schedule. > > Good Luck, > > Lt. K. Wiseman > Hiring Process Coordinator > on County EMS > bwiseman@... > > Re: Paramedic Pay > > > > > > > > > > > > 9.50 an hour?? For a Paramedic? I think I make that > > > now, and Im still just a waitress. Maybe I dont want > > > to continue on to get that P next to my name? I need > > > to support myself and 3 kids, but I really HATE being > > > a waitress! > > > > > > I know Austin/ County EMS pays 45,000 a yr. Is > > > this unusual, or is it REALLY hard to get in there? > > > > > > Carin Canfield EMT-B, Austin, TX > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Yes, that is another legally acceptable way to pay 24 hour EMS crews. We chose not to do that in our budget because it is impossible to guess about your unscheduled OT for budget, but it is very legal. Jane Hill Re: paramedic pay > I work a Transfer service that does 911 backup for a large town. We have 1 > " Day crew " that works 8 hrs a day for 5 days a week. I am on shift (24hrs on > and 48hrs off). Shift employees are paid as follows: Paid from 07:00 - > 23:00, paid when on calls only from 23:00 - 07:00 unless up for 3 hrs then we > get paid the full 8 hrs. All out crews are MICU. We do local and long > distance MICU transfers (over 20 hrs). Paramedics are paid, when paid, > $9.00/hr. We do get paid overtime when we work over 40 hrs/wk. Hope the > input is helpful. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Obviously MOST of the people in EMS in Texas already work for no pay. LOL Jane Re: paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > > I, too, work for a transfer service and totally sympathize with the > lower > > pay. My partner, for the last four years, has decided to reenlist in the > > army to get a better pay scale and more secure job. Transfer services are > in > > the business to make money.When you work 24 hr. shifts, you save them > money. > > They feel that the " trade off " is that you only work 2-3 days a week. But > if > > you work at a transfer service that is busy or is back up for a major > > service, then you are making them more money than the 12 hr. or " day > crews " > > while busting your butt. Night shifts have more potential for the high > > dollar transfers such as ACLS, PALS and MICU. So, you may run several > calls > > during the day for dialysis/BLS and then run 4-5 calls from 2300-0700 that > > are more severe. And, we do all this for a $12.00/hr salary that can't > > support our families without another job. We asked for it however. I don't > > remember anyone telling me I'd be rich or well rested 25 yrs ago. when I > got > > into this mess. > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Well, how do I put this???? YEAH!!!! I had to fight to be able to raise Paramedic pay to a little over half of that to try and entice more medics to apply for open positions up here. And that was just a pay raise for Incoming medics - can't raise existing medic pay until new budget year. Twelve dollars an hour would be an enormous pay raise for most medics up here. Even Rural Metro in Abilene doesn't pay that much to their Paramedics, if I understand right. Jane Re: paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I, too, work for a transfer service and totally sympathize with the > > lower > > > pay. My partner, for the last four years, has decided to reenlist in the > > > army to get a better pay scale and more secure job. Transfer services > are > > in > > > the business to make money.When you work 24 hr. shifts, you save them > > money. > > > They feel that the " trade off " is that you only work 2-3 days a week. > But > > if > > > you work at a transfer service that is busy or is back up for a major > > > service, then you are making them more money than the 12 hr. or " day > > crews " > > > while busting your butt. Night shifts have more potential for the high > > > dollar transfers such as ACLS, PALS and MICU. So, you may run several > > calls > > > during the day for dialysis/BLS and then run 4-5 calls from 2300-0700 > that > > > are more severe. And, we do all this for a $12.00/hr salary that can't > > > support our families without another job. We asked for it however. I > don't > > > remember anyone telling me I'd be rich or well rested 25 yrs ago. when I > > got > > > into this mess. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 The service I work for pays well. But the point I was making is that in our area pay is wide ranging. The city of beaumont just had a pay increase. Then a new service out of Houston comes in and starts Paramedics out at 14.00/hr. This service starts pulling good people away from the other 5 services. Then they have problems with pay... I know way does working for a Private or City run service affect the " respect " you get in the ed's. That comes from the individual that happens to be working on the truck.. I have worked in the Beaumont/ Port Arthur area my whole ems career. I have seen medics from the city run and privates that I would not let touch my dog. I also work in and ed so I see both sides... Just because you work for a private service doesn't make you second class.... WE all have bad apples working for us.... AJ ambubag@... wrote: > AJ, > > Are these 5 private services offering decent benefits like the city of > Beaumont? Do all of these private services have progressive protocols, > pay for training, uniforms, etc. $14 and hour sounds great but if > there are no benefits, 20 year old protocols, no training offered, > bounced paychecks, etc. who wants to spend their career with that?? > Also, the private services have no respect in that area from the > emergency room staff. Many of those companies have come and gone over > the years so working full time for a private service there sounds a > little risky to me. > > e, LP > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 When I talked to FLSA about ambulance pay requirements, he told me that " shift pay " or on call pay instead of hourly was not legal if the crew member is required to remain on the premises and respond in a timeframe that precludes the employee from being able to use his time adequately for personal reasons. There is no majic number associated with that time frame, but he verbalized that once you get to ten minutes and below expecting them to be en route, then he didn't see how you could say in a courtroom that the employee can use their time for their own devices thereby justifying on call pay. As for flat shift pay ($120/shift or whatever), I was told that could NOT be done. I was told by the FLSA rep that EVEN on call pay had to be at an hourly rate. Generally $1 or $2/hr is acceptable if they have a response time reasonable to use their time etc. (ours is 15 minutes for the on call backup crew), but you STILL have to pay them at an hourly rate when they respond to the call. Volunteer services have different rules, I believe. Jane paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > > > > I work for a private service. I left a 24 hr > > shift to work a 12 hr > > > > shift because my hourly rate went up almost 5 > > dollars an hour. > > > > Management says that your hourly rate is what it > > is, so if you work > > > > an extra shift for OT and you are on a 24 hr > > shift, your hr rate > > > > stinks. > > > > I have worked extra the last pay period, 122 hrs > > in 2 wk period, > > > > common on 24/48. My check was almost double from > > when I was on a 24 > > > > hr shift with that hourly rate. I am not > > complaining, but what law in > > > > Texas says that a company can set a salary per > > year, but pay > > > > different rates when you work different shifts? > > Approx. 2920 hours > > > > per year for 24 hr shifts vs. 2184 hrs per year > > for 12 hr shifts. The > > > > company I work for (you don't sleep) we are to > > busy with transfers, > > > > 24 hr shifts get slammed. I just feel bad for > > the other guys on the > > > > 24hr shifts. I am staying on the 12hr shifts, > > 736 hrs per year less > > > > work with same pay, I can spend with family. > > Somebody tell me what > > > > labor laws or avenues that I can persue to look > > this up. Thank you > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 The " nature of the employment " has nothing to do with it.... You should call your local FLSA rep and discuss ambulance pay with them. They will be more than happy to send you the rules and regulations. I have them, and they are very explicit. Federal pay laws are pretty airtight, and more and more EMS service providers are losing their cases brought by employees. These employers need to suck it up and be proactive. It costs a lot of money to run an EMS service and payroll is the largest chunk of the budget. But it HAS to be done correctly. Or where they will eventually pay up is in the labor suit. Jane Re: paramedic pay > > Services that pay per shift and do not pay time and a half are out there and to my understanding ( I'm just an " ignorant " paramedic) they are " exempt " from labor laws due to the " nature of the employment " . This is my employer's justification for my questioing of no overtime pay adjustments and working more than 24hrs at a time. > > How many times have EMS personnel worked 48, 72 hours straight? That's illegal too but we're asked to do it much more than seems legal or safe. Relief doesn't show up, you're stuck! Seems very unhealthy for the medic and the patients they serve or at least try to serve. > > " It doesn't change until we change it " is all well and good but when it's a transfer service, they'll let you go in a heart beat because they know there's more " newbies " out there who'll work for less and NOT complain. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Jane Do you think this would also apply to a service that has " On Call " supervisors that are paid $XXX extra per pay period. (no change in hourly wages) just a flat XXX amount on top of their regular earnings. They are required to be readily accessible by phone and would have to respond to where ever needed, but they are NOT allowed to clock in. $XXX is supposed to cover any " extra " time Christy paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I work for a private service. I left a 24 hr > > > shift to work a 12 hr > > > > > shift because my hourly rate went up almost 5 > > > dollars an hour. > > > > > Management says that your hourly rate is what it > > > is, so if you work > > > > > an extra shift for OT and you are on a 24 hr > > > shift, your hr rate > > > > > stinks. > > > > > I have worked extra the last pay period, 122 hrs > > > in 2 wk period, > > > > > common on 24/48. My check was almost double from > > > when I was on a 24 > > > > > hr shift with that hourly rate. I am not > > > complaining, but what law in > > > > > Texas says that a company can set a salary per > > > year, but pay > > > > > different rates when you work different shifts? > > > Approx. 2920 hours > > > > > per year for 24 hr shifts vs. 2184 hrs per year > > > for 12 hr shifts. The > > > > > company I work for (you don't sleep) we are to > > > busy with transfers, > > > > > 24 hr shifts get slammed. I just feel bad for > > > the other guys on the > > > > > 24hr shifts. I am staying on the 12hr shifts, > > > 736 hrs per year less > > > > > work with same pay, I can spend with family. > > > Somebody tell me what > > > > > labor laws or avenues that I can persue to look > > > this up. Thank you > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 This is usually referred to as stipend pay. Re: paramedic pay Jane Do you think this would also apply to a service that has " On Call " supervisors that are paid $XXX extra per pay period. (no change in hourly wages) just a flat XXX amount on top of their regular earnings. They are required to be readily accessible by phone and would have to respond to where ever needed, but they are NOT allowed to clock in. $XXX is supposed to cover any " extra " time Christy paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I work for a private service. I left a 24 hr > > > shift to work a 12 hr > > > > > shift because my hourly rate went up almost 5 > > > dollars an hour. > > > > > Management says that your hourly rate is what it > > > is, so if you work > > > > > an extra shift for OT and you are on a 24 hr > > > shift, your hr rate > > > > > stinks. > > > > > I have worked extra the last pay period, 122 hrs > > > in 2 wk period, > > > > > common on 24/48. My check was almost double from > > > when I was on a 24 > > > > > hr shift with that hourly rate. I am not > > > complaining, but what law in > > > > > Texas says that a company can set a salary per > > > year, but pay > > > > > different rates when you work different shifts? > > > Approx. 2920 hours > > > > > per year for 24 hr shifts vs. 2184 hrs per year > > > for 12 hr shifts. The > > > > > company I work for (you don't sleep) we are to > > > busy with transfers, > > > > > 24 hr shifts get slammed. I just feel bad for > > > the other guys on the > > > > > 24hr shifts. I am staying on the 12hr shifts, > > > 736 hrs per year less > > > > > work with same pay, I can spend with family. > > > Somebody tell me what > > > > > labor laws or avenues that I can persue to look > > > this up. Thank you > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Is that not the same thing per diem? Thanks Christy paramedic pay > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I work for a private service. I left a 24 hr > > > > shift to work a 12 hr > > > > > > shift because my hourly rate went up almost 5 > > > > dollars an hour. > > > > > > Management says that your hourly rate is what it > > > > is, so if you work > > > > > > an extra shift for OT and you are on a 24 hr > > > > shift, your hr rate > > > > > > stinks. > > > > > > I have worked extra the last pay period, 122 hrs > > > > in 2 wk period, > > > > > > common on 24/48. My check was almost double from > > > > when I was on a 24 > > > > > > hr shift with that hourly rate. I am not > > > > complaining, but what law in > > > > > > Texas says that a company can set a salary per > > > > year, but pay > > > > > > different rates when you work different shifts? > > > > Approx. 2920 hours > > > > > > per year for 24 hr shifts vs. 2184 hrs per year > > > > for 12 hr shifts. The > > > > > > company I work for (you don't sleep) we are to > > > > busy with transfers, > > > > > > 24 hr shifts get slammed. I just feel bad for > > > > the other guys on the > > > > > > 24hr shifts. I am staying on the 12hr shifts, > > > > 736 hrs per year less > > > > > > work with same pay, I can spend with family. > > > > Somebody tell me what > > > > > > labor laws or avenues that I can persue to look > > > > this up. Thank you > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 In San , AMR's hiring process requires you pass a written examination at your certification level, a skills verification at your certification level using National Registry skills sheets, an interview and then post offer you must do a physical agility examination (lifting intensive) and pass a urine drug screen as well as a criminal background check. Post hiring you must complete an orientation and field training program. The orientation program is approximately 40 hours and the field training program is 160 hours with a Field Training Officer for EMTs and EMT-Is and 320 hours for a Paramedic. ALL newly hired employees must complete the program regardless of their experience level. Pay is based on experience at the time of hire. We also offer an excellent benefit package which includes medical/dental/vision coverage, AD & D, short and long term disability, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, employee assistance program and well as a medical spending account. We do interfacility transports for three major hospital systems, 911 for Un-incorporated Bexar county and many of the municipalities in the area and we are the EMS provider for the Dallas Cowboys training camp. We are always accepting applications though I am not sure if there are any open positions at this time. If you would like more information please call Andria r, HR Manager, at ext 203. Dralle, EMT-P EMSC CES Specialist American Medical Response- San ext 226 Re: Paramedic Pay > > > > 9.50 an hour?? For a Paramedic? I think I make that > now, and Im still just a waitress. Maybe I dont want > to continue on to get that P next to my name? I need > to support myself and 3 kids, but I really HATE being > a waitress! > > I know Austin/ County EMS pays 45,000 a yr. Is > this unusual, or is it REALLY hard to get in there? > > Carin Canfield EMT-B, Austin, TX > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Good info, Mike. Jane Re: paramedic pay > > > > > > > > Services that pay per shift and do not pay time and a half > > are out there and to my understanding ( I'm just an > > " ignorant " paramedic) they are " exempt " from labor laws due > > to the " nature of the employment " . This is my employer's > > justification for my questioing of no overtime pay > > adjustments and working more than 24hrs at a time. > > > > How many times have EMS personnel worked 48, 72 hours > > straight? That's illegal too but we're asked to do it much > > more than seems legal or safe. Relief doesn't show up, you're > > stuck! Seems very unhealthy for the medic and the patients > > they serve or at least try to serve. > > > > " It doesn't change until we change it " is all well and good > > but when it's a transfer service, they'll let you go in a > > heart beat because they know there's more " newbies " out there > > who'll work for less and NOT complain. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Exactly right, Donn. My personnel struggle to make a living. They love working here, but it is hard to support a family on average EMS wages in our part of Texas. Jane Re: paramedic pay > ~ > > > ~ > > > ~ > > > > ~ > > > I, too, work for a transfer service and totally sympathize with the > ~ > lower > ~ > > pay. My partner, for the last four years, has decided to > ~ reenlist in the > ~ > > army to get a better pay scale and more secure job. Transfer services > ~ are > ~ > in > ~ > > the business to make money.When you work 24 hr. shifts, you save them > ~ > money. > ~ > > They feel that the " trade off " is that you only work 2-3 days a week. > ~ But > ~ > if > ~ > > you work at a transfer service that is busy or is back up for a major > ~ > > service, then you are making them more money than the 12 hr. or " day > ~ > crews " > ~ > > while busting your butt. Night shifts have more potential for the high > ~ > > dollar transfers such as ACLS, PALS and MICU. So, you may run several > ~ > calls > ~ > > during the day for dialysis/BLS and then run 4-5 calls from 2300-0700 > ~ that > ~ > > are more severe. And, we do all this for a $12.00/hr salary that can't > ~ > > support our families without another job. We asked for it however. I > ~ don't > ~ > > remember anyone telling me I'd be rich or well rested 25 yrs > ~ ago. when I > ~ > got > ~ > > into this mess. > ~ > > > > ~ > > > > ~ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Not being paid during 8 hours sleep time is ok labor law wise for EMS as long as you are paid the other 16 and as long as you are put on the clock if you get a call and as long as you are paid all night long if you run over 3 hours of that designated sleep time. Under those circumstances, you generally stay on the premises. Jane Re: paramedic pay > I know in my case that we are not allowed to leave durring " sleep time " . > There is no on call pay where I work at. We are not paid durring " sleep > time " unless we get a call. > > > In a message dated 8/4/02 10:01:35 PM Central Daylight Time, > mreed911@... writes: > > > > Subj:RE: paramedic pay > > Date:8/4/02 10:01:35 PM Central Daylight Time > > From: mreed911@... (Mike , LP) > > Reply-to: <A HREF= " mailto: " > </A> > > To: > > > > > > > > > > But I'm not completely sure these are legal, strictly speaking. Can you > > leave the premises during this " sleep time " ? If so, then you could be > > paid " on-call " pay. If not, you're an on the clock employee. At least > > that's how it would stack up in a challenge. Otherwise, firefighters > > everywhere would lose money on " sleep time. " > > > > Or, is it that they wouldn't accept such an arrangement in the first > > place? It doesn't change until you make it change. > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 I've worked a few 96's. Don't remember much about the drive home tho........ LOL Jane Re: paramedic pay > > I totally empathize with the 72hr shift during (been there, done that). I know of one medic that works 72hrs straight every week. He's proud to say it's his shift but my concern is how is this affecting his work, health and pt. outcome? We're supposed to be tough, or so I've been told since 1977, but martyrs? And under paid at that? > > > > Annie {} > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 I keep them in the dark as to good paying jobs as much as possible. LOLOL Jane Re: paramedic pay > In a message dated 8/4/2002 6:44:28 PM Central Standard Time, > jehill@... writes: > > > > > > Twelve dollars an hour???? Man, I wish my board would let me pay my crews > > THAT!!!! > > > > Jane Hill > > > > Then do not, I repeat, do not let them know anything on the whereabouts that > The City of Beaumont EMS is located. Andy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 MINE should finally be on its way. It took me a while cause I made my Board agree to pay for it so I can represent US all over here. LOL Jane RE: Re: paramedic pay > > > > > > > > Mike, > > > > It's people who get " excited " , angry, frustrated and can > > intellegently put their concerns out that are the back bone > > of making a difference. People like you! > > > > Ever thought of running for office? You are exactly what EMS > > needs to move in a positive, professional direction. > > > > Until we ALL act professional, look professional etc., we > > will still be considered " ambulance drivers " , " medical taxis " . > > > > > > > > Annie {} > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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