Im a sophmore in college studying poly sci but I think I might want to be a paramedic! What do I do?

Question

How do you become a paramedic? Will I loose my credit hours? Is the pay good? Ive got a lot of questions but no one to turn to. Once I become a paramedic do you advance any? For example get into medical school programs due to your experience after a few years? Any info is great!

Answer 1

I'm not sure where you are, but here in Jersey, you start by taking an EMS program, usually through a hospital, the Red Cross, or sometimes EMS squads run them. The program to become an EMS usually runs a couple of months, and if you volunteer with a first aid squad, they'll usually pay for your tuition, as along as you continue to work with them after you're certified. I believe you become an EMS-B (B for basic or beginner, not sure) but you can take more courses to get more certifications. You can also use the hours that you work as credit in some places too. The pay is pretty good. At our school, if you work with the squad, and are on stand by at a football game, you get bout $15-$18 an hour. There's only but so far you can get as a paramedic, but you can always begin some other course of study within medicine, such as nursing, physicians assistant, or the MD. So I'd start by contacting a local rescue squad. They'd be able to start you in the right direction. Good Luck!!

Answer 2

My husband has been a paramedic for 20 years. In terms of the pay, it depends on where you work. Which city, which state.

You do not advance. You are a paramedic, and that's that, as far as I know. It is sort of like being a paralegal - (which is one of the things I do for a living.) I will never be an attorney unless I go to law school and graduate, etc. I do not think you can "lose" hours of credit once you have gone to school, the credits are on your record.

See if you can go to your local fire house, and talk to the firemen there. Most firehouses have an ambulance standing by, and if they are not out on a call, you could talk to the medics. Another thing you could do is call private ambulance companies and ask if you could do a "ride along". You will have to sign some papers releasing them from liability if you get hurt, etc., but then you could take a day and ride along and see if you like it.

My next concern is - - you are asking is the pay good. O.K. A fair question, it would seem. Now, my next point: When I started my career, I went for it based on the pay (which is good). HOWEVER, BY NOT FOLLOWING MY HEART AND DOING WHAT REALLY MADE ME HAPPY, I HAVE PAID THE PRICE.

By that I mean yes, I have a paycheck. BUT, I still want to do the things that I always wanted to do AND WOULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH HAPPIER DOING.

O.K. -- here is what I am saying. Take time with yourself. As much as necessary before making such an important decision. Ask your heart. Ask it over and over - what is it I really want to be doing with my life? Then do that. Don't do ANYTHING just for the money. Trust me on this. You will never really be happy that way.

Oh, and good luck in whatever it is you do decide to do.

Answer 3

Try calling the local hospital and talk to a couple of paramedics or EMTs. (Make sure the person who answers knows you're not "in NEED of an EMT", lol) Tell them you're thinking about becoming one and ask if they have a minute to spare to tell you about their job. Ask what they had to do to become an EMT.

What was the reason you started studying poly sci? If there was a specific job you had in mind, talk to someone with that job too. See which job you feel would suit you better.

If your school was accredited at the time you were given the credits, they will always be your credits. The problem you may run into is whether or not those credits will count toward the other degree program you switch to. Your academic advisor will be able to tell you what kinds of credits are needed for which degrees and what credits you already have that will apply toward the new degree.

Answer 4

I will tell you how to become a paramedic later, but first I think I should point out a few thing about the job that people don't realize until they get into EMS (emergency medical services). The first is that there are levels of emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic is the third and hardest level. First you need to become an EMT-Basic or EMT-B (I will just call it EMT). I will explain all that later.

Another thing people don't know about EMS is that you often work long hours. Shifts vary from 8, 12, or 24 hour shifts (come companies do 32 or 48, but rarely). Also, regarding pay...nobody works in EMS for the money...pay really depends on state/city, what level you are (EMT or paramedic). This is not a job where people get rich. Its a public service job for people who want to....serve the public. Now, despite the fact that ER or other shows depict EMS as a 100% action career, this is simply not true…even in places like New York City. I worked in a large city, and there were days where I watched TV for 6 hours, took 2 calls and went home.

One would believe since we don't do police like things (besides the lights and sirens) that we stay out of danger.....false. The leading cause of line of duty death for paramedics is ambulance crashes, usually while using the lights and sirens. Safety first is an important part of EMS but paramedics do (rarely) get shot, attacked, stabbed, and assaulted. There is also risk of being exposed to various illnesses through contact with sick people and because of accidental needle sticks that can transmit HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis. These things are rare, and with proper training the risk can be significantly reduced, so don't let this stop you. Its a dangerous world and we can only try and protect ourselves.

Next, if you can't stand being cursed at, insulted, and/or spat on then this may not be the job for you. I have picked up a lot of drunks and junkies who were not happy to see me.

Advancement...well...you can go from EMT-B to EMT-I to paramedic, or just EMT-B straight to paramedic. Once a paramedic there is some limited advancement. You can be promoted to various supervisor positions. These may include crew chief/supervisor, station chief, district chief....and so on. Mostly this means an increase in pay, and more paperwork...maybe a gold badge instead of a silver one. You don't get to do any cool medical stuff that you couldn't do before.

Now...on to becoming a paramedic. To be an EMT you need to be 18 and you need to take a 1-2 months (depending on full or part time class) long course which ends in a written and practical test to become certified. Now you can get a job as an EMT. You don't do any of that cool stuff you see on ER and the like, but its an introduction into the world of EMS. You will be expected to do duties at the station (cleaning, paperwork, re-supply) and will also have to drive the ambulance, and when the patient isn't in need of a paramedic you care for the patient in the back of the ambulance. To be honest, if you are an EMT and your partner is a paramedic you will find yourself driving a lot and helping the paramedic a lot, but the work is still fun.

When you are ready to be a paramedic (18, high school diploma/GED, EMT. Paramedic requires that you be an EMT, but work experience is not required) you need to go to school for about a year. It is very hard and they teach you more than you ever wanted to know...well maybe not. At the end of the training you take a test similar to the EMT test, but much harder. Now you can do a lot of the "cool stuff" they do on TV.
There are a growing number of colleges that offer Emergency Medicine, or EMS degrees in which you become a paramedic during the course of your education. Many people do this instead of pre-med or pre-BSN.

If you have any other questions feel free to email me....just add @yahoo.com to my username.