An EMT I can now earn $32,844 working on Honolulu, as posts have opened on the sunny island. With 18 percent of Honolulu’s emergency medical technician and paramedic positions vacant, the capital of the Hawaii islands has decided to start paying people to learn the job.

In July, the city will begin a certification program for EMTs and pay students $2,917 a month plus benefits if they commit to working here for two years.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to learn some skills, get some training, open the door to the health profession and get paid while doing it,” said Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of the city’s Department of Emergency Services. “Our program is enticing because a lot of people, if they’re working or are a single parent, find it’s very difficult to quit your job and go to school.”

EMTs assist paramedics as part of an ambulance crew.

Currently, potential EMTs must pay for classes at a community college.

City officials stress they are not trying to steal people away from the community colleges, which train about 40 EMTs a year, but instead want to cast a wider net and increase the total number of trainees.

Since the candidates will be expected to work for the city for two years following their training, the academy would also help the city to recruit and retain its trainees, whereas those who are college-trained might go on to work for private ambulance companies, take federal jobs or use their training to get into nursing or medical school.

The different programs would potentially appeal to different types of EMT candidates: those who want the college experience and those who want on-the-job training.

Ian Santee, the acting EMS training coordinator, said that the city’s program will be more like the firefighter recruit academy than college.

Treena Shapiro, from EMSVillage.com. Apply for the job online before December 6th, 2007.

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