Community Impact reports that paramedics and emergency medical technicians are being adversely impacted by a lack of workers, according to EMS Chief for the Montgomery County Hospital District James Campbell.
In a 2022 American Ambulance Association study, it was found that the turnover rate nationwide for EMS personnel has arrived at a record high—20 to 36 percent relative to the position.
Although the percentage remains high, Campbell said the District’s turnover rate for the past three years remains below the national numbers. Beginning in 2020 the turnover rate was around 8 percent; in 2021 it was 16 percent and in 2022 it hit 19 percent. Since May of this year, the rate is at 15 percent. The goal, according to Campbell, is to be below or at 15 percent.
He said “burnout” is one of the prime reasons. Campbell said, “If you look at having more calls but fewer paramedics and fewer trucks on the road, it’s causing people to leave the industry.”
To tackle the turnover rate, he said the initial step was to concentrate on employee retention. So, at the first of the year, a schedule change was put into effect. The new schedule gives EMTs five days off. It’s an effort to create a “work-life balance.” It’s setup as one shift of 24 hours, one day off, another shift of 24 hours then five days off in a row.
Hiring is also of importance, according to the Captain of Professional Development for MCHD, Sarah Cuccia. Cuccia said, looking to the future, their district will pay the tuition for EMTs to go to Lone Star College’s paramedic school. A three-year commitment to work for the district comes with it. She said you can go to school full time and get paid to work on a full-time basis.
