Pros
Chance for entry level paramedic to get experience, a set schedule pretty quick, and good CEU program
Cons
This was an entry level paramedic job for me. After serving my 2 years, I left to a different company out of state. Here are a list of terrible things in this company: - "market based pay"... Pretty much, your report to work location dictates your hourly wage. I could start work out of Baton Rouge and make $500 more a month, or go 20 minutes away and do the exact same job but since there was no "competition" they would pay you $16 an hr vs $19hr - sick/vacation leave: 0 vacation hrs your first year, and 40hrs (might not be approved though) after that. You can only use sick pay for the 2nd day missed. The company I work for now I accrue sick/vacation hours at a rate of 7hrs per bi-weekly pay period. Needless to say, I have almost double the vacation hours in 1.2 years of working than 2.4 yrs at Acadian - cheap trucks, cheap equipment - probably the biggest con is their overall stance on healthcare. They are only concerned about transporting patients no matter what their condition is. Part of your performance review is based off of how many patients you transport vs sign a refusal, and pt's with insurance vs with out insurance. They are more concerned about making money than patient care despite what they preach. Don't bother trying to truly educate patients on what is best for them because suspension will be threatened if you advise a patient that a trip to an urgent care would be more beneficial for them. - When I left the company after 2.4 years, not one supervisor said good bye or wished me good luck. This wasn't because i was a bad or disgruntled employee either. Every one of them thought i did a great job and not once was I in trouble with management. - they need a union to fight for their medics and emt's