Central EMS launched its Healthcare Provider Job Fair at the Hilton Garden Inn on Stevens Creek Road on Monday, March 20. The emergency services provider is looking to build up its staff as it prepares for its upcoming role as zone provider in Augusta-Richmond County.
Training director Jonathan Walker said the first day of the two-day expo proved to have a good turnout. Central has, as of Monday afternoon, hired some 60 new employees in both full-time and part-time positions.
“The community has really responded to us coming out, and we’ve been embraced with open arms,” said Walker. “People want to help their own community.”
Among the applicants, who are asked to bring their qualifications along with their resumes, are plenty of EMT’s and paramedics, as well as some part-time firefighters.
Central EMS has emphasized in its outreach that it’s looking to fill a variety of roles, including support staff, such a mechanics and office personnel. The medical services company aims to take root in Augusta as it gears up for 911 operations.
Owned by Knoxville, Tenn.-based Priority Ambulance, Central itself is based in Roswell, and has eight stations in the Atlanta metro and surrounding areas, as well as locations in Athens, Macon, Dublin, Newnan and Savannah.
“We’re making Augusta one of our main hubs,” said Walker, underscoring the company’s need for administrative and support workers. “We’re not going to run this from Atlanta, we’re running it from Augusta.”
Job-seekers looking to apply would be directed first to an interview room, and then, if selected, to an onboarding room to undergo an orientation course. Alongside qualified healthcare workers, Central is accepting those interested in entering the emergency medical services field for the first time. Walker notes that he has “put on a lot of classes in the Atlanta area” that saw more than 100 people certified for EMR (emergency responders) and EMT (emergency transporters) positions, and that Central intends to establish similar curricula in Augusta, complete with paid training until certification.
“If someone wants to come by in the next couple of days, or just wants to call us and say, ‘hey, I’m interested in helping my community by doing this,’ those are programs that we’re going to be offering here in the very near future,” Walker said.
The Central EMS Job Fair will continue through Tuesday, March 21, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
