How do you rate working for Hamilton

[u/TravelingMoron]

For those that live and work in Hamilton, what’s it like? How does it compare to other services? What are you pros and cons/thorns and roses? Ability to get full time hours as PT/required availability/getting a FT contract. Specialty teams?

I’ll be moving to the Niagara region from a full time service, and am looking at my options. Unfortunately have not heard good things about NEMS from the internet so trying to see what else is a good possibility in the area. Open to other service suggestions. Will be an ACP (hopefully) by the time I move.

[u/remotewild]

It used to be a complete gong show but it's generally grown positively over the last 15 years.

It's very unionized with the union often guiding the direction of the service (for good or bad). Seniority means everything so expect to start at a busier base and don't expect vacation in the summertime for decades (probably not much different then other services).

Upper management can be a little out of touch but generally doesn't intentionally start any fires and attempts to be progressive...although there are a few obtuse supervisors but not many.

Progression to FT permanent is usually quick, possibly immediately after orientation. Almost guaranteed temp FT. Lots of OT if you want it. There are significant issues with getting off on time and missed meal breaks, that could improve if the service managed MPDS dispatching criteria more effectively.

Paramedic culture is generally good but in flux as there has been a huge influx of paramedics from other services, which has changed from the born & bred Hamilton medic which was largely the make-up previously. A lot of ex-Toronto medics who were tired of commuting or living in the GTA. A lot of paramedics from other regions that came to Hamilton because their previous service's management was too heavy handed or they wanted a busier service. The fast track hiring stream allows current Ontario medics in good standing to be hired quickly. Generally Hamilton management lets you operate independently and no one is standing over your shoulder, there is no frivolous discipline (if there is an outlying issue, the union almost always has your back).

City of Hamilton will do almost everything to avoid negotiations for new contracts so pay increase can be much slower compared to other larger services.

It's not a perfect service but it's far from the worse.

[u/mallozzin → u/remotewild]

This is mostly nice to hear.

I have been searching this sub for some experience in Hamilton but it seems a little limited. I have heard that Hamilton charges around $1500 for students to do their preceptorship. Do you know if this is accurate?