Hi, Paula.
I was also an EMT, years ago.
About the lifting--it really can take a while. After a couple of months I was pretty much back to normal, though I remember that I was still sensitive to bumps on the road. Does your bus (ambulance) have good shocks?
On the other hand, I'm about to hit six months, and over the last few days I must have lifted something that caused a fair amount of aching since then.
So, do be careful!
Be well, Snoopy