Amusement Park Wages for Paramedic

[Asclepius]

Just for fun, I thought I might apply for a park medic at Six Flags. Anyone have any idea what a realistic hourly wage would be from an amusement park for a paramedic? I'm just curious.

Anyone have any experience working as a medic for an amusement park?

[dr-exmedic]

I'd expect the hourly wages to be a couple bucks an hour below the going rate for ambulance medics in your region.

I've done it (a hospital chain provided services to both a coaster park and a water park) and it's a blast 99% of the time (the other 1% is spent doing paperwork and dealing with irate customers). If you're expecting excitement, it's pretty much the wrong place. Expect to have to go through the same customer service training as the rest of the employees because that's going to become 80-90% of your job--it doesn't really tax the medical skills to apply a band-aid to a boo-boo or pass out sunscreen packets, but you'd better darn well smile while doing so. :) There's also a slightly different mentality since transport is going to be a relative rarity--I've never sat someone in my ambulance for an hour to give them a liter of fluid to see how they feel, but I did it every 2 or 3 shifts at the water park (less so at the coaster park). Lots of independence and not having to write a tripsheet every time someone walks in the door were additional perks--not to mention free admission and being outside a lot (especially at the water park, where we were even allowed to wear sandals).

That isn't to say you won't see weird stuff (I sent a guy out of the park with a likely spontaneous subdural bleed) and learn things (I got quite good at splinter removal), but the % of really ill patients you'll see is quite low.

[Asclepius]

Thanks for the info. Actually, one of the reasons I was interested was for a slightly slower, less strenuous pace for a while. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my adrenaline rushes and diesel bolus' as much as the next provider...but sometimes you just wanna enjoy the day, deal with situations that don't tax your skills and critical thinking. Plus, my kids would LOVE being able to come whenever they wanted to. We'll see. I may not even be considered, or if I am, they may not want to pay me enough to make it worth the commute. Anyway, thanks for the information.

[medic161]

I worked several years at one of the local waterparks in my area. They were not ALS, so it was a gravy job!! Most of my duties were removing splinters, and the occasional sunburnt drunk. The perks were plenty of sun "beautiful" views, and "Tasty" waves, Maholo Dude!!