HSE EMT interviews 2009

standclear

hi, got the D1, C1 and had the aptitude tests last week in Dublin..didnt manage to finish last four questions of the visual reasoning test, as by that stage all the little shapes looked the same to me:), so do i have a chance or not of being called to stage 2, whatever that entails?
am coming from PDF but not medical end,and have fetac level 5 occupational health with AED, manual handling and fire marshall.thats it course wise. noticed i was considerably older (and a lay-dee!) than the other applicants in the testing centre, but do a lot of circuit training etc so am fairly fit.

anything i need to know? what ye think of private colleges..any other relevant courses etc i need if and before i get called to an interview-or have i blown it??
be gentle..am a newbie..:o
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timmywex

Going by the courses you have done theres a good chance that you would get called for interview, you seem to have a good bit of expirience and that. But they mightnt look at the cv if you didnt do well enough!

I have no idea but do let us know how you get on through the recruitment process

standclear

thats what i mean,is it a basic intelligence test, and anyone that gets a half decent score gets called-or is it the top scorers overall..which would seem a bit odd, as theres other qualities neede as an emt than just being good at logical sequence tests? what do you think???
will find out end march either way..
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EMTrying

Hey Standclear

I also did the selection test last week in Dublin and I would have to agree, the analytical reasoning test started to fry the brain near the end. I got them all done though I had to guess about 6 or so.

How did you find the test over all? I read on another forum that there was about 1000 applicants to sit the test and it will be the top 200 to progress to the next stage and to eventually form a panel of around 70. So if any of that is true, the standard will be high.

Best of luck to you

Red Dwarf

A bit of advice:

Don't listen to the gossip regarding numbers and panels, it always happens with the NAS application process and before you know it "you will have to give a kidney to the HSE to get on the panel" :rolleyes:

Focus on what you put in your application form, skills, achievements, etc. That is what asked at interview. Also it might be a good idea to arrange a visit to your local NAS base and have a chat with the L-EMT/Ops officer regarding current and future developments of the ambulance service and gain as much understanding as possible regarding the role of a paramedic and AP.

Best of luck with your application.

standclear

yep red dwarf, if the HSE is anything like the PDF chinese whispers to go by;)...

The test itself was much like I thought, but ran out of time in the end..another fifteen mins would have done it..
There is a brand new course beginning in Inchicore College Dublin around September. I heard its supported by the NAS, in so far as they were consulted on the curriculum and is basically a pre-EMT course lasting a school year, ie. until June. All I know so far is that it is full time, a Fetac Level 5, and uniformed,( something similar to the NAS.) Think its interview based but apparently mega cheap-around 400 euros. Not sure of too much more but will give them a bell and check the facts from the fiction.
Anyone else heard of it?
If it does take place it'll probably consist of the 800 people who didn't get interviewed for the HSE trainee positions.:)
There is that course, and also a November 2009 course by the Ambulance Training School costing 2,500 euros which qualifies a person to work on the privates..haha..just re -read that and it sounds kinda funny..:D

Anyway, if anybody can advise/enlighten or contradict please feel free!
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DUBDUBDUB

Hello all,

Am i missing something here? The only application form i had was the one on public jobs asking about C1, D1 etc. I sat the aptitude and am confident i passed but dont know if in the top 200 till the 18th March.

Has anyone else filled in a form with details regarding first aid courses etc?? If so, i am worried now as i aint!!!

standclear

hi, no you aren't missing anything!! That was my point- that so much seems to be dependant on a top result in the aptitudes, in order to be called for an initial interview. So, relevant experience wouldn't be an issue until if and when you are called..
Best of Luck
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Bang Bang

Red Dwarf wrote: »

A bit of advice:

Don't listen to the gossip regarding numbers and panels, it always happens with the NAS application process and before you know it "you will have to give a kidney to the HSE to get on the panel" :rolleyes:

Focus on what you put in your application form, skills, achievements, etc. That is what asked at interview. Also it might be a good idea to arrange a visit to your local NAS base and have a chat with the L-EMT/Ops officer regarding current and future developments of the ambulance service and gain as much understanding as possible regarding the role of a paramedic and AP.

Best of luck with your application.

Sound piece of advice.
There's no point in going into any interview for any job with first gaining knowledge and any future known development of that job.

The best of luck to everyone who applied.

DUBDUBDUB

Got the email, passed and happy. Didnt tell me where i came in the order of merit though, the number isnt there!! Oh well, interviews are starting on the 20th April.

Good luck all!!

standclear

Yep i got the email aswell, and the big gap where order of merit should be!?So, on to the next stage!:D
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EMTrying

That makes three of us so!

standclear

EMTrying wrote: »

That makes three of us so!

well done!:D

DUBDUBDUB

anyone have a heads up on what the application form involves?? I think they may ask for real life scenarios you have been involved in relevant to team building, displaying leadership etc. Similar to the Gardai.

Anyway, i phone the HSE and asked how many positions there are. was told 22/23 however " things are changing in here every day so dont bank on it"

Apparently the plan is to start the first 13/14 in September and the rest stay on the panel till 2010!! Get the horrible feeling that if you are not in batch 1 then things could be changed by 2010. but just speculation.

Oh well, studying to do!

DUBDUBDUB

Came 25th. Does anyone know if it has any bearing on if you get called to interview or not? Or is it all based on the application form?

COS1

Came 85th!

EMTrying

Hey DUBDUBDUB
I don't think it really matters at this stage, I would imagine the majority of people that passed will get called for interview. Also, your interview pretty much starts when you fill in the application form!
I came 16th, anyone know how many got through the first stage?

darragh o meara

Came 28th myself.... From what the information booklet states " the top 200 from the aptitude test will be called forward for interview" Thats when the fun starts....

COS1

EMTrying wrote: »

Hey DUBDUBDUB
I don't think it really matters at this stage, I would imagine the majority of people that passed will get called for interview. Also, your interview pretty much starts when you fill in the application form!
I came 16th, anyone know how many got through the first stage?

200 i believe. was the top 200 from the amount that sat the exam.

DUBDUBDUB

Just heard on the radio there is a freeze on ALL, repeat ALL public service employment. I phoned Manorhamilton and they said that all they know for the moment is whats on the radio.

Their advice is to carry on as normal with the application process and a panel will be formed as normal. I spoke to a Paramedic the other day and he told me they are already majorly understaffed (like the rest of the frontline HSE depts) and should there be a freeze, with guys retiring, dropping out of training, leaving for the privates etc it will leave the service in a disaster scenario.

Does anyone have any news on this? I have not been working for 6 months and this seems like another kick in the teeth.

need to try and remain positive as there is still a panel to be formed, may just have to wait longer

COS1

DUBDUBDUB wrote: »

Just heard on the radio there is a freeze on ALL, repeat ALL public service employment. I phoned Manorhamilton and they said that all they know for the moment is whats on the radio.

Their advice is to carry on as normal with the application process and a panel will be formed as normal. I spoke to a Paramedic the other day and he told me they are already majorly understaffed (like the rest of the frontline HSE depts) and should there be a freeze, with guys retiring, dropping out of training, leaving for the privates etc it will leave the service in a disaster scenario.

Does anyone have any news on this? I have not been working for 6 months and this seems like another kick in the teeth.

need to try and remain positive as there is still a panel to be formed, may just have to wait longer

No need to panic, Interviews will be going ahead as normal.

DUBDUBDUB

I am sure interviews will go ahead but its the thoughts of sitting on a panel waiting and waiting and waiting and (you get the idea). I will carry on regardless but am praying that the chimps in government decide it will only be further political suicide to fail to replace retiring EMT's Gardai etc.

timmywex

Ambulance service has been in a state for years

Understaffing nightmare.

Thats why you hear if the nearly unlimited hours of overtime that can be picked up! And theres not that much scope to cut out overtime either!

Leo Demidov

according to manorhamilton, interviews will go ahead as planned.

apparently no freeze on recruitment, all vacancies will be filled(dept of finance website referring specifically to emt)

according to current trainee, aspects of current training have been cut and next class has been suspended (first of 09 campaign due to start in late may) not 100% sure of these facts as they are second hand.

just wondering if many people used that cork based specialist careers company who had training days last weekend, if so was it any good, didnt make it.

ta.

darragh o meara

Yeah I used the career services crowd. They were very good and informative, Would highly reccomend them on both the aptitude course and the interview prep course.. I went through the aptitude test and interview last year and the courses really showed me where I went wrong.

As for the 2009 recruitment, the last of 2008's panel are starting in May this year and a few from the 2009 panel will fill up the rest, after that I think the next batch is due to start in September of this year. From what I heard there is a severe shortage of EMT's and with the proposed levy on lump sum pension payments due a lot of the older lads will be trying to retire before it comes in so no sortage of placements for those who want them and can pass the interview.

Fingers crossed I will be part of the May group....

Leo Demidov

where did you come in aptitude testing and does this have any impact on rank after interview

darragh o meara

wexfjord wrote: »

where did you come in aptitude testing and does this have any impact on rank after interview

I came 28th in the aptitude test but this means nothing after the test its only a culling to make the interview process easier. Its their way of reducing 2000 down to 200.

emer tech

Hi all, been reading for a while, about time i posted, also waiting for an interview date.
anyone receive a letter for the interview yet?

also hello emt trying, we met recently in galway!

COS1

Hi Emer, Im also waiting for an interwiew date, i reckon we will recieve them tomorrow or friday at the latest.

emer tech

hopefully , starting to panic, well suppose we'll know in the next 2 days:)

EMTrying

Hey emer tech, hows things, how are you getting on with interview preparation? I haven’t received any letter yet either, though I was temped to say that I had to scare everyone!

emer tech

If i had put as much preparation into the leaving cert god know's where i d be now . . just wish we knew what is going on, all this uncertainty is a pain,

standclear

interviews any day from the 20th April according to info pack...will probably get a weekor so notice I'd say..how are you 'preparing for interview'?? other than memorizing the heroic,problem solving yet not under stress scenarios?:)
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emer tech

Hi Standclear,
did an interview prep day, which involved ,what interviewers are looking for, how to sell yourself what type of questions may come up ect ,
Feel a bit more confident after it. . .

emer tech

well it s offical now, interviews are postponed:mad:

COS1

Interwiews are postponed. I just got a txt msg from HSE, "URGENT interwiews for EMT Trainee are postponed. we will contact you in due course" What a Bummer.

darragh o meara

Yeah got the text too. Just happened to be on the phone to them when it came through. Can't believe it. I thought the embargo excluded emergency medical technicians. They told me in manorhamilton there was no word as to when recruitment might start again or even if it would be this year. Hopefully its only a small delay.

soldierblue

http://www.google.ie/url?q=http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/working_for_us/career_opportunities/ambulance_staff/student_paramedics.aspx&ei=oUXeSda5Ed7PjAfQo-0F&sa=X&oi=smap&resnum=2&ct=result&cd=2&usg=AFQjCNHoBZvZHvMj6gfaIfgGVKNGWcf8Pg
London Ambulance Service

timmywex

Omeara_darragh wrote: »

Yeah got the text too. Just happened to be on the phone to them when it came through. Can't believe it. I thought the embargo excluded emergency medical technicians. They told me in manorhamilton there was no word as to when recruitment might start again or even if it would be this year. Hopefully its only a small delay.

Thwey sound like they know absolutely nothing up there!

darragh o meara

IN fairness they know about as much as we do. The girl I spoke to was suprised to hear about it, She told me the letters were all ready to be posted this evening and that they got the call at half four to postpone interviews. But she did say that anyone waiting for interviews would be called forth as soon as they allow recruitment.

I'm getting onto the local politician to find out what the crack is. Bloody Fianna Fail have this country screwed, Those of us who want to work cant get jobs cause they have them all stopped!!!!!!

Hopefully its only a small delay and all will be back in action soon.

I wonder are the class due to start in May still starting???

Moratorium my hole!!!!

lucky_1

hey, i got the bad news text today as well, i suppose the only positive thing we can take from it is that when they do proceed with the interviews the demand from within the service will be high so hopefully they will form a big panel from our group of interviews and use both ballinasloe and dublin to run courses.:(

Leo Demidov

is it possible that the ambulance service could start using more privates, the prison service the same for prisoner transport and likewise the gardai, a suggestion made at agsi conference. this would i presume fall outside the recruitment freeze and prove more cost effective for the government.

no shortage then of lesser paid, pensionless jobs in ill fitting polo shirts

and they call me a cynic

emer tech

letter from the dept of finance 27/3/09

5. No offers of appointment, promotion or allowance for the performance of
duties of a higher grade may be made from the date of this letter without the approval
of the Minister for Finance (any such offer in progress should not proceed without the
express approval of this Department). Competitions/promotions currently in progress
should not proceed further without the express sanction of this Department.
6. The terms of the Government Decision as set out in this letter apply to the

Department of Health and Children and non-commercial state bodies under the aegis


hopefully we are just waiting for approval, he hardly sign it off during his easter hoilday's though, hope someone in the HSE is fighting our corner:rolleyes:

darragh o meara

emer tech wrote: »

[
hopefully we are just waiting for approval, he hardly sign it off during his easter hoilday's though, hope someone in the HSE is fighting our corner:rolleyes:
[/FONT]

Hopefully that is all that needs to be done. I spoke with a local paramedic this morning and he tells me that there is a serious division between the private ambulance crews and the HSE crews apparantly they dont get on at all. He told me that there is something going on with the unions in this regards but couldnt tell me too much.

He couldnt see the recruitment stopped for too long as they have serious staffing issues and the cost of having the lesser trained privates ( not all of them I'm aware they have a few paramedics too ) far outwieghs the cost of putting some more through the training process. Having the privates also puts their level of service back to a standard last seen a few years back when the ambulance crews were only trained to EMT level.

Im meeting a local TD this afternoon with very good connections within the HSE and Ill be asking him to do a bit of investigation into the matter its the least he can do seen as both myself and my whole family supported him in the last election!!!!! Shame he's Fianna Fail though.....

emer tech

Hi omera darragh,

can't see them taking on more private's as there is on going issues with them and the HSE (don't want to offend anyone in the private's)
and it's a well known fact the ambulance service is understaffed, my partner is a paramedic and there's plenty of overtime in his area.

these recruitment campaigns costs alot of money they won't just abandon it , we' ll be called in the near future i'd say
it's just not knowing what's going on is a pain in the ass

let us know how you get on with your local TD.

COS1

Hi all. I asked a paramedic to see if he could find out what was going on for me and he came back with what Emers letter above says. So i would take a guess and say the delay should not be anymore than 4 weeks.

Heres Hoping.:o good luck all.

COS1

HEALTH SECTOR

Q: Will the Moratorium apply in the Health Sector?

A: The moratorium will apply in the health sector but there will be flexibility to allow for the continued development of integrated health care, particularly primary and community care, care of the elderly and people with disabilities.

Q: How will this work, what grades will be covered?

A: Based on the 2008 employment outturn and the provision for development posts (225 posts in cancer care and disability services) in the 2009 Budget, the opening 2009 employment control ceiling for the health sector is 111,800.

There will be a general moratorium on recruitment, promotion and acting appointments to all management and administrative grades and all other grades in the health sector, except for Hospital Consultants, certain other health professionals such as Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists etc and Emergency Medical Technicians. Posts in these key grades which become vacant may be filled and a limited number of new posts may be created within the overall numbers ceiling and moratorium policy. There will need to be a reduction in posts in non-priority areas to compensate for any new posts created, and redeployment between institutions and between the hospital and primary, community and continuing care sectors.

2bemt

Hi All,
I would say there should be more news from next week on regarding interviews. With the cost of opening the new school and still running the Dublin School. The HSE and Nats cant afford to stop it all now. Once class 6 has gotten underway we should start to know more .

Best of luck to all once interviews commence.

emer tech

Interviews back on from week commencing 11th of May:)
Thank god !
I have EMT exams on the monday and tuesday that week, is it possible to change interview day if it falls on them days ?

COS1

Interviews will now take place now on week (may 11th 2009). Happy days. good luck to all.:D

EMTrying

Great to see interviews back on, though could have done without the uncertainty of the first txt!
Hey emer tech where did you do your EMT course, was it through a vol or private?