Hi, I'm an 18 year old male who resides in Bronx, NY. I would like to start taking steps towards being a paramedic, but I have to get a question answered before i proceed with my, hopefully future career goal. The question is, in order to become a paramedic would I first have to study to become an EMT, or could I go right into studying to become a paramedic? Thanks in advance!
2006-11-10 19:45:46 · 5 answers · asked by ceelo 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Studying Abroad
Becoming an EMT-Basic is usually a prerequisite to becoming an Paramedic (the actual title for paramedic is EMT-Paramedic). After all, you need to learn the basics before you go on to learn the advanced stuff. It's no big deal, though - the EMT-Basic class lasts about a semester, and it's part time. You can usually find full time courses that are completed in a month, too. Most paramedic programs require you to be at least 19 before you enroll (check with your state to be sure), anyways, so you will have plenty of time to get your CPR certification, and your Basic certificate.
One quick note of advice (from someone who wishes they did differently): Enroll in a paramedic program that will give you an associate's degree upon completion, and not just a certificate. Sure, it's a year longer, but it's worth it. It's a pain to try to go back to school and get the associate's degree, and more and more states are moving towards an associate's degree as the minimum requirement for paramedic certification. It also opens up lots of career possibilities not available to you if all you have is a certificate (flight paramedic, teaching, management, etc).
Hope this helps!
2006-11-11 09:09:09 · answer #1 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The short answer is, no, you can't go straight to Paramedic school.
"EMT" is short for EMT-Basic. "Paramedic" is short for EMT-Paramedic. You must be certified Basic level before you are allowed to start Paramedic level training.
Basic is where you learn all the, well, basics. Paramedic level is about advanced life saving techniques, mostly drugs. You can’t start pushing drugs if you don’t know the basics of the body and injury and illness.
If you could just go straight to Paramedic school, it would just be longer anyway, so consider Basic school as part of Paramedic school anyway, because it is.
2006-11-13 16:58:53 · answer #2 · answered by SportsGirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I will make it very simple. All paramedics were at one time EMT-B's. No matter where you work or get training EMT-B is a requirement for paramedic.
2006-11-14 12:44:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is all good information, except that EMT-B isn't partime. It is about a semester (I have 4 weeks left until I am certified.), but you can expect to spend about 10 hours a week in class, with several additional hours spent in ambulance rides and the ER to observe.
That amounts to about 12 hours/week for a full semester, which amounts to a full-time class schedule (in most universities, 12 credits is fulltime, with one credit equivalent to one hour/week of class time.)
Remember too, on top of class time, you have to read 1200 pages, make notes, practice up to 12 skill stations, take monthly tests, do homework assignments etc.
Except for your 9-5 job, clear your schedule before getting involved....
2006-11-14 09:46:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are looking for shortcuts to success. There are non. If you are not prepared to study hard then you need to be prepared to say 'would you like fries with that' for the rest of your life
2016-05-22 04:45:19 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋