Paramedic Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Paramedic? What is the shortest amount of time it would take to become a paramedic? I know college lets you speed your graducation time up if you decide to not take you summer or winter time off. If I go full time, everything paid, how long will it take to become a Paramedic?

Answer: Well, the amount of time it takes to become a paramedic differs from place to place. My paramedic program was three straight semesters...so a full time year. In addition, you have to have your EMT-B license before paramedic class...so if you don't have that, tack on another semester. Between 1.5 to 2 years seems to be the norm. I know of a program out my way that takes about 5-6 months...but it's an eight hour day or more, 5 days a week....plus clinicals and ride time. That's alittle extreme but the quickest I've ever heard of.

Question: What is it like for paramedics in the ambulance service who have degrees in paramedic science ? Hi well I just wanted to know how paramedics and ambulance technicians view paramedics who have joined the ambulance service after graguating from the higher education route ie. at university. I am studying to be a paramedic and I was wondering whether, you get looked down upon because you did not go in the traditional way from tech upwards. However I have worked on placements and completed my Tech certificates so will it be a problem ?

Answer: There shouldn't be any but some of the older paramedic's may joke about you for a while. Stick with it and they will soon get to appreciate you know what you are doing. Good luck to you - you are doing one of the most worth while jobs there is.

Question: What is the difference between a paramedic and an EMT? I've found out that paramedics had more hours of training but that is about it. But is there something more that a paramedic can do than an EMT? How do you know which is in the ambulance? Is it one of each? Thanks

Answer: An EMT is an emergency medical technician. There are different levels of being an EMT. There is EMT-B (basic) they do basic first responder type stuff, vital signs, assessment, splinting, bandaging, etc. All basic level of care but no advanced life support skills like IV's, heart monitoring or advanced drug therapy. There is an EMT-I (intermediate) which can do a little more, they can do IV's and some heart monitoring skills and give a few more drugs than the B level but not a many as the next level which is the EMT-P (paramedic) The paramedic level is the most advanced pre hospital care provider. They can do just about everything they would need to do to save your life outside of a hospital setting. We are all essentially EMT's but most of us in the field just shorten it to EMT for the basic providers and paramedics for the P level providers. There aren't many intermediate's anymore in our area. It's hard to tell the difference in certification levels just by looking, but many depts will wear dress shirts that have a patch sewn on and sometimes it will say EMT basic or paramedic. Not all depts are the same when it comes to staffing. Some states require 1 basic and 1 paramedic at all times, some require 2 paramedics always. Our dept always runs 2 paramedics at all times and we just take turns driving, but our skill levels are the same. Hope that helps...

Question: How would I get Paramedic training without going to college? I wish to be a Paramedic. I know there are three levels to achieve: EMT-Basic, EMT- Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. At the local Ambulance corps they are providing EMT-Basic training. How would I get trained in Intermediate and Paramedic without going to school?

Answer: You don't say which state you're from. That can affect things. Every state has different requirements. Some accept National Registry, some don't, some do but you have to do extra. But no matter where you are, you'll have to go to school of some kind for Intermediate and Paramedic. There's ALOT to learn after Basic. EMT-Basic is kind of like the foundation of your house. If the foundation isn't good, when you start building on it, it'll crumble. There are private schools out there that teach both, but they are few and far between. You're more likely to find Intermediate and Paramedic programs at Community Colleges, Universities, and technical schools. Seventeen years ago, I took my EMT-Basic course for free thru the local Rescue Squad in return for committing to two years of service. That was before National Registry was widely offered and we had several levels of providers. I found it very helpful in making sure I knew what I was getting into, learning before, during and after school, and all around learning what kind of Medic I wanted to be. Then I took that with me into the Fire Dept as a career Medic. Your first semester of Intermediate/Paramedic, you'll realize why it's so important for you to be in a good program. Being a Paramedic is a HUGE responsibilty. You not only have to learn how the body works, but how things go wrong, what signs you may/may not find that point in that direction, and how your treatment or lack of affects the patient. There are around 40 total drugs to know, National, State and Regional protocols, and that's just the beginning. You see, the hardest part of being a Paramedic is not knowing WHAT to do, it's learning when NOT to do it. Give it a few years, you'll understand what I mean... Good luck to ya hon...take the free training...see if it's truly what you want...then go to school if it is...

Question: How hard is it to get a paramedic license in florida? Me and my family are wanting to move to florida, but my dad said he heard it was hard to get his paramedic license there. He has one for Tennessee right now. He's been a paramedic for 13 years and worked for many major ambulance companies and was a supervisor for one at once. hes already been to college and has his paramedic license...right now hes working on getting his nursing degree.... but he would like a job as a paramedic

Answer: Florida is in dire need of paramedics, emts and nurses. I would contact like the county you are interested in to their fire headquarters and inquire into the requirements of obtaining a paramedic license. For one thing, you have to take the course for Paramedics and that can be taken at a local community college. Good Luck!!

Question: What is the process of becoming a Paramedic? What is the process of becoming a Paramedic? How long does it take? How much does an average program cost? And it would be great if anyone knew schools in the Chicago area that offer good programs for becoming a paramedic. Is there a demand for paramedics or EMTs? What's the average a paramedic earns a year? I'm starting from scratch, so any information would be helpful.

Answer: There is a tremendous demand for medic's... As the profession grows, the demand is going to grow with it. From routine transport, 911 response, to remote medicine and critical-care. Price and time are highly variable. I would recommend checking into both university, degree based programs (the future of paramedicine is degree based). There are still plenty of certification based programs, but your career may be limited. The costs will be between $4K and $30K (certification versus degree based programs). I'm not familure with the Chicago area per se, but I have taken some classes with some of the instructers from Loyola in the past (in Baltimore). I was impressed with their knowledge, and if they're still teaching, I'd recommend their program. Cheers!

Question: What is the protocol for a paramedic in a car crash situation? I was wondering what the protocol was for a paramedic in a situation where there has been a car crash with victims still in the car. Any thoughts are welcome. Yeah, this isn't homework. Just curious. Had a friend in an accident over the weekend. No info online, besides, personal stories are a better read!

Answer: check for scene saftey, determine hazards, control c-spine, if the doors cannot be open, extrication must be done... if all pts are stuck in the car, then the ones that are the worst off come out first... depending on the situation of the vehicle, they may just rapidly take them out, but preferably they will take them out on a long spine board... while waiting on the extrication unit, the emts can go ahead and get iv's started, bandages, and stuff like that...

Question: i want to become a paramedic in los Angeles are, where to start is there any paramedic from los angeles area? Hello there and thanks for look into my question. I'm a medical assistant and a phlebotomist. plus i have my CPR certificate by heart and by red cross medic. and course anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, lab etc.. so I'm not that new on this. and what i really want is to be on emergency's medical assistant isn't for me. I don't have the EMT basic. and do know where to get it. i know theres a few levels of emt. is 2 different schools? one for EMT and one for PARAMEDIC? how long is the EMT school and how long for PARAMEDIC. and here at California or los Angeles whats the average salary for paramedics. If theres a paramedic here in los Angeles are please contact me tavo75gdl@hotmail.com and guide me please! i live in el Monte ca I'm 31 years old and this is what i want to do Thanks!

Answer: You must get your Basic certification which will take a semester anyway, (plus three months to get registered and tested with NREMT and State) so just get started there now. Most of the good Paramedic level schools require that you have worked 1 year as a Basic to enter. There are some private schools that will take anyone but they cost a lot of dough. Mount SAC and UCLA are the top Paramedic schools near LA, but you can look into that later... you've got time. (If you work at a hospital or volunteer firefighter, you can get some great recommendations to get you into the school you want that way too.) There is EMT Basic class starting in Santa Monica in February. Check out the community colleges near you too.

Question: How can I become a Paramedic or RN? I have completed my freshman year majoring in Adolescent English Education, but I want to become a Paramedic or RN. My current college is an expensive private college where I attend on a full tuition scholarship, and they do not offfer many programs at all. I want to know as much information as possible before I decide to transfer. How long will it take to become a paramedic or RN? And does anyone have any suggestions or advice as to how to go about this?

Answer: Depends on how you would like to approach the degree. There are several ways to become a nurse. You can be an RN with an associates degree or ADN, sometimes ASN. With this degree you can be a practicing RN in any hospital in any specialty. In the future this degree may hold you back in pursuing management degrees. Most hospitals will not pay you less than a person who holds a bachelors degree but often they will offer career ladder programs in which an incentive for a raise would be to pursue or hold a BSN. Most associates programs have long waiting lists to get into clinicals. The common pre reqs are: basic chem, english, algebra eviq., anatomy and phys., microbiology, some sort of nutrition class...depends on the school...look on their websites and they will explain everything. You can also become a nurse through a "diploma" program which is not technically a degree. These are older programs that are rapidly declining. Often located in hosptials the hospital will teach you to be an RN and often makes a deal with the person for some sort of service after graduation. These programs often are 2-3 years long with no prereqs involved-however this degree will limit you in positions. You can also pursue a bachelor of nursing-which honestly makes you the most marketable. However-with an ADN or BSN you still will have no trouble getting a job. What most don't realize is that you will prob spend about the same amount of time pursuing a BSN as you will an ADN as the waitlists for clinicals are so long in the ADN programs. A BSN requires all the same as ADN programs plus additional classes. You also have to satisfy the university's graduation requirements..your conselor should be able to help you. ADN programs 2-4yrs dependingon the school-community colleges BSN-3-4 years-traditional university Diploma-3 years hospital program Also-it depends on what credits you already have so im guessing you are a freshman and are taking mostly pre reqs. You would need to contact each specfic school you are interested in and take a transcript, meet with a counselor. Good luck. I did a bachelors in psych and sociology in college and then went to nursing school through a direct masters program and rec'd an MN or masters in nursing. There are many many ways to become a nurse you just have to figure out the right path for you. *Research the pay for paramedics vs. nurses. The pay for RNs is much higher.

Question: I want to be a paramedic when I grow up. What can I do to prepare for this career? Im 15 years old and want to be a paramedic when I grow up. What can I do to prepare for this career? Like, what can I do now that will help me when I can become a paramedic?

Answer: Hi if you are serious you need to think about the following: the best paramedics get a paramedic degree (rather than just classroom training) so focus your education on maths and biology (human if you can) To see if the sort of work is right for you try to do some voluntary work with the Red Cross, or other associated disciplines. Some hospitals offer and require volunteers, and at 15 you will be old enough for many. Talk to your local ambulance station crew and ask if they can arrange a ride out - some do. But there may be an age limitation for your protection (often 16) and for patient confidentiality. Good luck with your future - what ever you chose.