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Tips for Becoming a Paramedic
- The terms "EMT" and "Paramedic" don't mean the same thing.
- A paramedic is the highest level of EMT training.
- Paramedics are the only type of EMT that can administer medications.
- You may need basic college coursework to be a paramedic.
- Once you get certified as an EMT, you can start working while you finish your paramedic training.
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Become a Paramedic
This video explains the job of a paramedic, also called an EMT, and discusses both the training process and the types of employment opportunities available to you once you have completed training. The types of procedures paramedics are responsible for performing include, but are not limited to, CPR, administering drugs, bandaging wounds and assisting with child birth. Employment opportunities, as highlighted in the video, include police departments, fire departments, rescue squad departments, hospitals and private ambulance services.
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Introduction
- Are you interested in the medical field but don't like the idea of being confined to an office or a hospital floor all day? Consider training as a paramedic. Paramedics provide on-site care to patients in the event of an accident or a sudden, severe illness. Without the intervention of paramedics, many patients would likely pass away before making it to a hospital, which means that good paramedics are a vital part of a quality health care system.
Step 1: Study the Field
- Before you decide if a career as a paramedic is for you, it's important to understand what the term "paramedic" really means.The Princeton Review: Paramedics Many people don't realize that paramedics and EMTs are not necessarily the same thing:About.com: The Difference Between an EMT and a Paramedic
- EMT-Basics (EMT-B) have gone through about 120 hours of training and are qualified to perform basic life-saving care.
- EMT-Intermediates (EMT-I) have completed about 50 additional hours of training on issues like intravenous fluids and esophageal airways.
- Paramedics (sometimes referred to as EMT-P) have a total of between 1000-2000 hours of training behind them, and are legally qualified to perform certain medical tasks that other levels cannot, such as administering medications.NREMT: About Emergency Medical Services
- Obviously, you should determine which of the three levels of qualification best suits you since you can stop at any of them. One advantage of this system is that you can begin work in an ambulance as soon as you complete your EMT-B certification. This will allow you to start getting valuable on-the-job training (not to mention a steady paycheck) while you work your way toward your paramedic certification.About.com: Paramedic Training
Step 2: Select a Program
- Your next step will be to select a training program. They fall into one of two types:
- Basic training programs require incoming students to already have an EMT-B certification before applying.
- Blended training programs also exist which allow students to start from scratch. Students in these programs earn their EMT-B and then continue in the same program to get their EMT-P. In total, the training should take about two years to complete.AllAlliedHealthSchools.com: Become an Emergency Medical Technician
- Many websites offer lists of schools with EMT-P training programs, or you may be able to take a training program offered through your local fire, police, or health department.The Princeton Review: Paramedics You can also check your state health department website for a list of programs in your area.NREMT: State Office Information Some resources that may help in your search are:
- The Medical Training Directory: EMT Training
- Paramedic.com: Paramedic.com Find a School Near You
- Guide to Health Care Schools: EMT Technician Certification
- All Allied Health Schools: Emergency Medical Technician Programs
Step 3: The Prep Step
- To get accepted to a paramedic training program, you first need to meet the basic qualifications. Every program is a little different, so it's a good idea to review the requirements of your program of choice (which you should already have selected back in Step 2). But most aspiring paramedics will need to meet the some basic prerequisites in order to be admitted to a training program. The following are some sample prerequisites:
- A high school diploma or a GED
- A physical evaluation by a doctor, including proof of hepatitis B vaccination
- Current CPR certification by the American Heart AssociationUAMS: Paramedic Prerequisites
- Some paramedic programs require you to complete some basic college coursework before being admitted to the program. In this case, you'd start by taking classes like English Comp and Biology, and apply to the paramedic program after completing those classes. In most cases, you would need a grade of "C" or better in all of these classes before you could be accepted to the program.About.com: Paramedic Training
Step 4: Get Certified
- In order to work as an EMT at any level, you need certification. While each level of EMT training has a corresponding test, the good news is that you can begin working in the field as soon as you've completed your EMT-B-- no need to sit around and wait to pass an exam before you can start getting valuable work experience. The exams are administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). You cannot begin working as a licensed Paramedic until you complete the requirements for the official title.NREMT: NREMT Home Page
- Some things you may want to know about the certification process:
- Testing is computerized. You take it at the testing center closest to you.NREMT: Computer Based Testing
- The test is multiple choice.EMT-national-training.com: NREMT Exam and State EMT Tests
- You can retake the test if you don't pass it the first time.NREMT: Computer Based Testing
Conclusion
- The standards and training process for paramedics are both constantly changing and improving. Keep abreast of the new developments in this exciting field at the national EMS website. There, you can learn more about the essential work that paramedics do and decide if it's the right career choice for you.
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