About
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
General
Why do firefighters or police officers respond to medical calls?
When 911 is called, the emergency medical services system responds with multiple tiers of service. Firefighters/police officers can usually respond faster to begin basic life support care, while advanced life support ambulances arrive and provide additional assessments and treatments. Firefighters and/or police officers may also respond if the nature of the emergency warrants their non-medical expertise or assistance. This response plan provides the elements needed to provide excellent patient care.
What does "EMT" or "EMS" mean?
An industry full of acronyms and abbreviations, here are a few defined:
EMS: Emergency Medical Services
EMT: Emergency Medical Technician
AED: Automated External Defibrillator
ALS: Advanced Life Support - services provided by paramedics
BLS: Basic Life Support - services provided by EMTs
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
EMD: Emergency Medical Dispatcher
HEMS: Hennepin EMS
EMS: Emergency Medical Services
EMT: Emergency Medical Technician
AED: Automated External Defibrillator
ALS: Advanced Life Support - services provided by paramedics
BLS: Basic Life Support - services provided by EMTs
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
EMD: Emergency Medical Dispatcher
HEMS: Hennepin EMS
Why am I getting a bill, or how do I pay a bill?
Please visit Hennepin Healthcare Patient Billing for more information.
How long is a typical shift?
We offer 8, 10, 12, and 14 hour shifts throughout our divisions.
Careers
Do you offer benefits for your positions?
Yes! Our full-time employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package, including health, pension, & tuition reimbursement.
Do you hire any part-time or casual staff?
Yes! Our Special Events Team is staffed mostly by casual EMRs & EMTs. We also hire casual educators/instructors in the Education Division.
What levels of training are required to work at Hennepin EMS?
- Paramedics are required to have their paramedic completed prior to being hired.
- Emergency Medical Dispatchers are required to have their Emergency Medical Technician completed prior to being hired, and are then provided Emergency Medical Dispatch education.
- Special Events Team EMRs/EMTs are required to have their Emergency Medical Responder or Emergency Medical Technician completed prior to being hired.
- Educators/Instructors carry a variety of training levels, and are considered on an individual hiring basis.
All employees are provided on-the-job training.
- Emergency Medical Dispatchers are required to have their Emergency Medical Technician completed prior to being hired, and are then provided Emergency Medical Dispatch education.
- Special Events Team EMRs/EMTs are required to have their Emergency Medical Responder or Emergency Medical Technician completed prior to being hired.
- Educators/Instructors carry a variety of training levels, and are considered on an individual hiring basis.
All employees are provided on-the-job training.
How do I apply for a job?
View our Careers page to learn more information, then visit hcmc.jobs to apply for an opening.
What is the on-boarding process as a new hire?
We have a comprehensive process for on-boarding new employees, with each division being slightly unique from the others. Check out the CAREERS page for more information!