Prós
-Lots of emergency experience. If you are looking for a place to build your resume, Sunstar will make sure you get the experience.
-You'll get to know the road system of Pinellas County really well, and the hospital systems.
-The pay is the highest in the Tampa Bay area, but you will work for every dollar you get.
-You can pick your schedule, however, only if you have high enough seniority. Starting off, and for the first couple years, you will most likely work overnight shifts.
-You can enter the EMT to Paramedic program through School of EMS. It is an online program, with instructors from Sunstar and Pinellas fire stations. It can be paid for entirely by Sunstar if you sign a two-year contract.
-Health/Vision/Dental is provided partially by the company.
Contras
-High call volume. Whether you respond to emergency calls or interfacilitys, prepare to run nonstop with no breaks. Typical days are 10-12 calls, with most days ending in overtime.
-Strict SOP. Majority of EMTs on emergency calls are treated as ambulance drivers, and cannot practice to the full extent of what is covered in their EMT scope of practice.
-High probability of a terrible partner. If you happen to get stuck on a "open shift" (which you won't know until you're on the shift), you will be paired with brand new people or part-timers. I've had some incredible partners, but majority were awful.
-The attendance system is a joke. You get penalized even if you have a doctor's note, so many providers will come to work sick.
-If you run a bad call or get assaulted/battered by your patients, be aware that you will most likely be "asked" to work the rest of your shift. If you need a mental health day, it'll cost you an attendance point - no exception.
-For every openly LGBTQ+ individual, there are many more people how still follow the "old boys club" mentality. Supervisors have openly misgendered the few folks who are out, and do nothing to stop harassment or discrimination.