Abstract:
This study seeks to determine which factors have the greatest influence on paramedic job satisfaction. More specifically, it seeks to determine if intrinsic or extrinsic factors have the greater effect. Additionally, the effects of education on paramedic job satisfaction are examined. Finally, it seeks to determine if the generation to which the paramedic belongs has an effect on job satisfaction.
A cross-sectional survey was utilized to assess how paramedics felt about how their organizations rated regarding various motivational factors. In addition, the surveys sought to determine the paramedics’ current level of job satisfaction. The surveys were sent to various EMS agencies in North Carolina so as to only receive results from currently employed paramedics. The Human Services Job Satisfaction Questionnaire developed by Shapiro, Burkey, Dorman, and Welker (1997) was utilized to formulate the survey. Data was collected via an online survey during the period of October to December 2018.
The number of returned surveys totaled 254. Only surveys completed by paramedics were retained for analysis, which reduced the sample size to 222. Analysis revealed that both intrinsic (rs = .68, p = < .001) and extrinsic (rs = .73, p = < .001) factors had strong positive relationships with job satisfaction, with extrinsic factors being slightly stronger. Education level, while showing a minimal negative relationship, did not have a statistically significant correlation with job satisfaction (rs = -0.108, p = .111). Further analysis did reveal statistically significant differences in job satisfaction levels between education groups (X2(3) = 2.840, p = 0.014). Finally, differences in job satisfaction levels between generations did prove statistically significant (X2(4) = 12.756, p = 0.013).