2006-11-20 17:55:35 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
you have to go to school or some equivalent of paramedic school. many colleges offer a paramedic program that usually takes about 18 months. my husband just got his paramedic about a year ago. it was very hard and takes a lot of dedication and studying. good luck!
2006-11-20 18:03:34 · answer #1 · answered by somebody's a mom!! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the United States, first you need to become EMT Basic certified. This usually takes a semester, and you will learn basic life support skills. You can usually take the class at 17, but you need to be 18 to get certified.
You usually need to be at least 19 to enroll in a paramedic program (it depends on which state you live in). The actual class usually lasts from one to two years, depending on whether it awards a certificate or an associates degree (I recommend going for the associate's degree. There are a couple of states that require an associate's to work as a paramedic, and slowly, all the states are moving towards that requirement).
In addition to classes, you will also have to complete several hundred hours of clinical rotations in local hospitals and ambulance companies. After you complete the class, you will then intern at an ambulance company for 500 hours (less or more, depending on which state you are in). After your internship, then you will get to take the paramedic written, practical, and oral tests. Then you can call yourself Paramedic!
Hope this helps!
2006-11-21 08:58:14 · answer #2 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋