What do I need to become a paramedic?

Question

I want to be ready to start when I am about 18-19. I am not in traditional highschool..Could I take classes at a community college so I could get started early?

Answer 1

You'll be needing a big white van with a flashy blue light and you'll have to lean out the window going nee nah nee nah, which takes a bit of practice believe me.

Answer 2

Hi! I'm an NREMT-Paramedic, and I can tell you a bit about what you have to do to become one. I didn't go to a traditional high school, either (was homeschooled and obtained my GED).

To become a paramedic, you will need to become EMT-Basic certified. This is just a semester course, and will enable you to practice basic life saving skills. This is considered an entry level certification, and is the minimum you need to be part of an ambulance crew. The minimum age for taking the course is usually 17, but you will need to be 18 to take the test and obtain your certification. The average pay for this job is about $8 an hour, so you'll want to become a paramedic if you are considering EMS as a permanent career.

Most Paramedic courses require you to be at least 19 (21 in some states). They don't usually require any experience to enter, but some field experience really does help. The paramedic course lasts for one two two years (one year for a certificate and two years for an associate's degree). Some states only accept the associate's degree, so it might be a good idea to look into that before you enroll. In additon to full time course work, you will also have to do several hundred hours of clinical rotations at local hospitals, and at the end of the course, an internship with a local ambulance company. The average pay for a paramedic varies a lot, but can range from $10 an hour, to $60,000 a year.

Odds are, you won't be able to "start early". Being a paramedic or an EMT is a career that requires a certain degree of maturity, and it will be very hard to convince a college that you are of sufficient maturity at your age. However, you can do a lot to further your future paramedic career. Make sure to pay lots of attention in your science and math classes, because they play a big role in being a paramedic. There is a program available in most towns, called Explorers (similar to Boy or Girl Scouts) that will let you ride along on ambulances. It's a good way to talk with some paramedics, and learn their perspective on becoming a medic. Just check with your local fire department to see if this program is available in your town. You also might try volunteering at your local hospital, just to get your feet wet. You're never too young to take a basic first aid and CPR class, and those are the skills that everything else is based off of.

Hope this helps...

Answer 3

<>To get a job as a Paramedic you will need:
-High School diploma (or possibly GED)
-Valid drivers' license
-EMT certificate
-Most probably 60-120 college credits BEFORE being accepted into a program for Paramedic training. Some college Paramedic courses are 2 year and some are 4 year.
-Many employers require National Certification (you will find out about that in training).

Answer 4

You need an EMT certificate. Emergency medical Technician