Joining the Dark Side

After seven months of waiting, I received a phone call yesterday from BCAS regarding scheduling an interview in the next few weeks. I sent in my employee application about seven months ago, as I mentioned, when the strike had little resemblance as to what it is now. I was sold a decent sounding job when I first spoke on the phone to the BCAS human resources department, who definitely downplayed the whole $2/hr and 6 month probation aspects. I'm not going to go into details, but it was almost made to sound better than Alberta, if you can believe that. Working for BCAS when I moved out here has always been in my plan, and now that I have the opportunity to be hired by them, I believe I can help in constructive ways to implement change in the structure of the service.

**On a side note, even if had the availability to work at the Olympics (classes would prevent this), I would refuse on principle. BCAS may be doing damage control with the hiring they are doing right now, possibly compensating for the currently higher turnover rate and filling positions to do standby at the Games, but I would refuse to be part of their real reason that they legislated an end to a legitimate strike.

But getting back to why I still intend on working for BCAS. Working as a paramedic while in school is integral to my plan for med school, and justifies the money, time, and effort spent getting the credentials to get to this point. The major reason though, the reason that stands above all else, is the fact that I truly miss working EMS. I miss going lights to a call, bringing a sense of control to an chaotic situation, and doing my best to help people. There is a certain pride in knowing that you hold a certain skill set to deal with emergencies, and a humbleness that goes along with constantly learning and reevaluating yourself after every call.

The phone call yesterday really symbolized, for me, the chance to do the job I'm passionate about again, regardless of the politics around it. The storm of discontent and government indifference will pass, but the job remains the same.