Does anyone know anything about paramedic training?

Question

I am thinking about taking a course to become a paramedic. What can I expect to learn, and how long will the course take? What are the requirements for paramedic certification?

Answer 1

I am an EMT and going through Paramedics right now. You need to be an EMT to even apply to be a paramedic.
You will learn Basic life support as an EMT and you will expand on that in Paramedics.

Paramedics can administer drugs in the field and they can also start IV's. As apposed to EMT's who can only transport and administer O2.

EMT and Paramedics, all together, takes about 2 years to complete.

It is a LOT of studying!!!! and it takes a TON of dedication.

Think long and hard before you take the leap.

good luck.

Answer 2

Well...are you an EMT already? Because if you are not you need to become certified as an EMT before you can become a paramedic.

EMT is very basic. You learn basic first aid (splinting, bleeding control, basic airway management, basic cardiac life support), anatomy, how to work in an EMS system, making radio reports, and giving reports once you arrive at the hospital.

In paramedic training you learn advanced medical skills including, but not limited to IVs, drug therapy, intubation, advanced cardiac life support, basic trauma life support, pediatrics, pharmacology, pathophysiology/anatomy, advanced medical life support, and cardiology.

EMT is about one month, and paramedic takes a 1-2 years (depending of full/part time classes.) You then have to pass the tests for both EMT and paramedic before being certified.

To work as an EMT or paramedic you need a drivers license and you need to be state certified/licensed. Some services require you to take an agility/physical fitness test. There of course will be background checks, and drug screening.

Answer 3

It's a rewarding career with a high burn out rate. It is not uncommon to be burnt out within the first 5 years. Personal injury is also a big problem due to all of the lifting and it's hard to use proper body mechanics in many of the situations you will be put in. Many paramedics once they are done in the field find themselves teaching. I loved it, but due to back injury can no longer work in the field. The pay is not wonderful, so don't get into it for the money. Good luck!

Each school has different requirements and prerequisites. You need to become an EMT basic first. I also recommend that you spend a little time in the field as an EMT basic to get used to basic ambulance operations.

You will be educated in starting IV's, pushing certain types of drugs, cardio rhythms, pediatric emergency, trauma and medical assessment, securing airways and many other skills.

Answer 4

hello,the training for paramedic is different from country to country and from town to town,
here in the uk(scotland) you can progress in several different ways,
the first is to join the Scottish ambulance sevice as a driver, you get basic first aid training and 999 advanced driving over a three week course.
you then work mostly covering urgent calls and able to apply for the next stage as and when vacancies arise,
The next stage is technician level and this involves a six week residential course at barony castle training college(peebles), the course involves passing both theory and practical skills of all emergency type care in the street and home,you will need a good understanding of the anatomy of the human body as well as english, and maths skills,
if you are succesfull you leave the training school as a trained technician and you are placed on a 1 years probabtion period, during this time you will get assesed three times to ensure you are making progress, after completing the year you are able to apply for the big one(paramedic training)if you are accepted you will return to the college and undertake a rigorous 6 week training course that involves everything from cardiology,intubation,child birth,trauma ect.
a very high level of theory competence must be demonstrated in all subjects, if you pass the written exams you will be put through practical examinations as above with some of the top specialists in their chosen medical field, nothing less than very good is enough to pass these difficult examinations,If you do make the grade you leave the training behind and go to a major city hospital for a further 4 weeks training,during the 4 weeks you carry out intubations,canulations,and cardiac studies with real pre op people, if you manage to complete the amount of them as requested successfully you are deemed to have reached the status of paramedic,but dont forget you are still novicy and it takes on the road experience to hone your new found skills, you learn every day ,,
If you have a good understanding of anatomy or have worked in a similar field previously you can skip the first two levels and apply for direct access to the paramedic training,,this is very difficult however,
the current salary in scotland for a state reg paramedic is roughly 24k plus unsocial hours payment of between 13%-and 25% dependant on what shifts you do, this gives you about 29k basic with o/t at 1.5 times your basic rate,very rewarding job,stressfull sometimes and a lot of weekend working is required,, there is also a minimum driving age requirement which i am sure is 19,,
good luck if you go for it, it is a good job with lots of tough but enjoyable moments..


thanks

Answer 5

It's different everywhere. I live in Canada and the course is different in each Province though they are similar. The Province I'm in has a 2 year college course to become an EMS. You'll of course learn how to sustain life and it would be an excellent job.

Answer 6

Call the Department of Health in whatever state you live in. But, remember this phrase..."HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?" You will want to quite at times, don't look back. Just keep asking yourself that question. Good luck.

Answer 7

I am currently an EMT-B but am working towards high levels. Do you know what specific info you want because it does vary from state to state

Answer 8

Check with your local EMS agency,they will answer all your question for your area

Answer 9

These are questions you need to ask the school you want to go to...

Answer 10

They teach you how to fry hamburgers and wait tables, you numbsckull!!!