how do you become a parimedic?

Question

i am about to leave school and this is what i want to be when i am older
can you help me to complete my dream

Answer 1

Firstly don't worry about the spelling comments I'm sure it was a mistake. I am an emergency medical technician in the UK, I started on PTS (Patient transport services) you'll learn how to deal with people this way, then I sat the entrance exams and moved onto the A & E side of the service after 18 months. You need to look up your local NHS Ambulance service or even call in to your local ambulance station, and ask for advice. Also learn to drive and keep a clean driving licence ie no points, the trust I work for will not let you join if you have any more than 3 points. In the mean time get your self an Anatomy and physiology book and start reading about the systems Ross and Wilson is a good book but don't be put off by some of it's terminology.

All the best with your plans for the future.

Answer 2

1. Be at least 18 years old.

2. Be a certified Ohio EMT-Basic.

3. Be a high school graduate or equivalent.

4. Provide a completed health record and physical exam. College Health Office #: 287-2450 *

5. Have a letter of recommendation from EMS chief, medical director, supervisor or EMT Instructor.

6. Complete the EMT-Paramedic application/student review.

7. Successfully complete the paramedic pre-test requirements.

8. Take a college placement examination COMPASS (Placement into ENG 100 ) *

9. Have never been a convicted felon.

10. Have never had an EMT certificate at any level revoked in any state.

11. Not presently institutionalized or on parole/probation.

12. Not addicted to any controlled substance.

* The items marked by asterisk do not need completed until after admission to the program. All other requirements must be met prior to admission.

Answer 3

I used to be a paramedic and I loved the job.

It depends where you live and things may have changed a little since I trained - or probably quite a lot. For instance you can now become CBRN (chemical/biological/radiation/nuclear) trained - and probably loads of other stuff now.

Contact your local ambulance service and ask them for all the details - the age that you can apply, qualifications etc. You will need to learn to drive and hold a driving licence.

When I joined London Ambulance I had to sit some fairly simple tests - reading & writing! An interview and a medical. I joined as an "Ambulance Person" - this involved conveying patients to hospital appointments and then taking them home - you had to plan your daily work sheet and journey.

Next step was in-house training to become a "Qualified Ambulance Person". There was some pretty simple learning required to be considered for this training. Then a training course - 4 or 6 weeks(I think) followed by a year as a probationary QAP.

Then on to the paramedic course which was also in-house but residential. It was tough - I won't lie and I went home most weekends absolutely exhausted, with a stinking headache and loads of work to do. The course was 8 weeks (I think?) followed by 4 weeks training in hospital. A week in casualty, a week in cardiac care/high dependency and then 2 weeks working in theatres, setting up drips, cannulating and intubating. I am quite sure some of these procedures have now changed but the basics will be there.

Things have changed since then and I believe most services now allow you to join and train to become a paramedic straight off.

The job is not all glamour but it is very worthwhile. As in all jobs there are a lot of time wasters who should not be calling 999 for emergency treatment and it can be incredibly frustrating. It can also be incredibly emotional and draining - especially when you deal with babies or children. Some people are incredibly rude and you have to learn to speak to all kinds of people and adjust your attitude to them to relax them and give them the best treatment you can. When people have a reason to require immediate emergency intervention of any type, they are going to be scared and you need to calm them and bear their fears in mind whilst giving them the best treatment.

The job can also be dangerous - just like life can!! So sometimes you have to know when to walk away for your own safety.

It MIGHT be worth considering joining a local branch of St Johns Ambulance Service whilst you are waiting to apply and be accepted. This will help to demonstrate your commitment and keeness to join.

I hope this helps you and wish you lots and lots of luck.

Answer 4

The best starting point is an EMT class. this is usually about 140-150 hours and is the basis for Paramedic. Once you have EMT under your belt, most states require 6 months experience before going to Paramedic. I dont know if your state is a National Registry state, but I would work for and test and get the National Registry card. Its the gold standard pretty much nation wide.

The course is about 1200-1400 hours long with clinical. Very detailed about anatomy and physiology. Be ready to crack the books.

I encourage people to hit the street after EMT and get some experience under their belts. I have been in EMS 27 years and see these people who little or no street experience get a bloody call or a pediatric call, and they crash and burn.


EMS is not for everyone so, get with the local ems crew. See if the Fire dept or ambulance company has a ride along program and get exposed to it before you jump into it.

Answer 5

Ignore the comments on your spelling. I've known some wonderful medics who while filling out their patient care reports ask me how to spell pretty much every word in the thing. Here's the deal with becoming a medic. There are several levels of EMT. As a rule, you have to be an EMT-basic or your state's equivilant before you can become a medic. I would swing by my local fire department. They'll be happy to explain everything to you, and they can recommend some good schools as well. Check with your local community colleges. They generally offer EMT and medic school. Be prepared to work hard. EMT school is pretty quick and painless, but medic school runs a year to two years, and it requires a huge level of dedication. You'll study daily. You'll work hard, and everytime you go to class you'll feel like you're the only one not getting it. Just remember, everybody else is faking it too. Stick with it, and one day as if by magic, all your hard work pays off and everything clicks into place. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Check with your nearest EMS department, they may know of any classes that might be going on. First you will have to go to school for your EMT-Basic, then EMT-Intermediate, then finally your EMT-Paramedic, it will take 1 1/2 -2 years to complete. Just because you've completed each class, it doesn't make you an EMT, you have to take a state or National Registry test and pass that before you go onto the next level. It's an awesome job and very rewarding if you decide to stick with it.

Answer 7

Here in southern calif, we have a few junior colleges that have programs for firefighters/EMT's. EMT stands for Emergency Medical Technician or something like that, same as a paramedic. I don't know how long it takes, but programs at junior colleges are about two years.

Answer 8

Lots of ways...one really good way is to join the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, make sure you get the school guaranteed before you join though....great time, and then when you get out, you have paramedic training in your background.

Answer 9

Try calling your local first responders, this will get you a foot in and then from there you can find out what classes and what not are required to become a paramedic.

Answer 10

you need to have 5 a to c GCSEs 2 to4 A levels and then go to uni and do the paramedic course