Is becoming a Paramedic difficult?

Question

I am a VERY average learning guy when it comes to academics.
I have to study a lot to get A's. I want to be a fireman and I have to get EMT-B certified. I am not worried about doing that.
However, most departments today really want firefighters to be EMT-Paramedic certified. I am thinking of going for this, but I am worried about the schooling. (im sure it can't be like Med school?)
I am also not too good in algebra. So should I take a class to get that down to be a paramedic? Is math needed? I herd its all mostly science and anatomy, biology etc.

All the info you can give, like what a paramedic is responsible for knowing, the degree of difficulty of stuff ill have to learn.
As much info as you can write would be great!

Answer 1

I got hired on by a fire department as an EMT-B. They sent me through school to become a paramedic. I went to a school that was eight hours a day at five days a week. This was over a 7 month period (included A&P). I have always had to try hard to get my As, and it was no different in paramedic school. There were some guys that could wing it and not study, but I had to study my butt off every night. I'm not the best at math, and I'm still not. There is some math involved because of drug calculations. Subjects that you will go over in paramedic school include: anatomy and physiology, medical, cardiac, trauma, legal, etc. Now time for the advice part. Study hard in EMT-B and whatever other classes you may take part in. Begin testing at whatever fire department will let you. Many departments still hire EMT-B and they will send you through paramedic school or sometimes even fire academy. You need all of the experience you can get at testing for fire departments. Don't get discouraged because paramedic school will be difficult. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind and heart into it. Study hard, have confidence, keep your goals in mind, and you will be fine. You can do it, trust me. Good luck!

Answer 2

Paramedic Med Math

Answer 3

Yeah, it's challenging. Paramedic skills do involve knowledge of med math which is a lot of conversion, moving decimals, multiplication, divison, etc. but you won't need to know the square root of 188 or anything. It also requires detailed knowledge of anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology, pediatrics, on top of EMT-B skills. I guess it is kinda like med school, but on a smaller scale. Most localities require a firefighter to have at least an EMT-B certification so they can administer first aid and basic life support - during extractions, if they're the first on scene, mass casualty incidents. Still they don't transport patients on a fire truck. In many cases you're either working fire or rescue, not both at the same time for that reason. In my agency if there's a paramedic on duty, he's gonna be working the rescue side because his specialized skills are more in demand than his firefighting skills. Having both backgrounds does increase your earning potential though.

My advice if you want to get into this field is contact your local rescue squad to find out about training. Many times is free or very low cost, and some community college offer these courses too. Getting your paramedic cert is a long haul if what you really want to do is firefighting, and prehospital medicine is not something you got into half-heartedly because it requires continuing education and continued used of skills to keep them sharp. I'm getting my EMT-I certification now. ALS skills are not ones you acquire just to have a certificate to hang on the wall or put on a resume.

Answer 4

My daughter got her EMT cert. It does take a lot of study, but if you are average and you really want to do it, you can do it. There are schools that specialize in paramedic training, and all you will study about is what you need to know as a paramedic. I think it was a 3 month or a 6 month course. There is a great need for paramedics (because the job doesn't pay much for as much responsibility as you have), so there are a lot of companies that want you to get through the training. Good luck, and go for it!

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is becoming a Paramedic difficult?
I am a VERY average learning guy when it comes to academics.
I have to study a lot to get A's. I want to be a fireman and I have to get EMT-B certified. I am not worried about doing that.
However, most departments today really want firefighters to be EMT-Paramedic certified. I am thinking...

Answer 6

How Hard Is Paramedic School

Answer 7

After 10 yrs as a firefighter/ EMT-B on an urban department..... I took the opportunity to get my PM certification thru the dept....The community college they sent us to has a 50% fallout rate, but everyone from our department got thru it.

It isnt rocket surgery and someone with the right kind of dedication can get thru it..... But it takes work and alot of it.....Here the course is 15 months, 2- 8 hr days a week, on top of over 300 hours of clinical time. Of the people in the program, not on our department, many didnt make it thru. There is some math involved but its not like you are trying to get your PHD in physics.

The main thing in my mind, is to be motivated by wanting to be good at it....not because its a job requirement .....But because it's its important life affecting work.... Working as a medic on the streets you literally have someones life in your hands...... You are diagnosing people and providing the exact same treatments that person would get from a doctor if they were in a hospital ER, except you are trying to do it while standing on your head in a cramped, dark hallway or stairwell.
Hysterical family members looking over your shoulder.

In a cardiac arrest, either you revive that person or they will not be revived..... As a matter of fact in many jurisdictions you will not even transport that person to the hospital unless you are able to revive them in the field, or you call the coroner........ With an asthmatic either you get that tube in or they will likely die befor you get them to the ER........ Push the wrong drug and you will likely kill a patient. You have to remain calm when everyone around is in a panic.

Many have the misperception that a Paramedic is an "Ambulance Driver".....it simply is not true....
You will perform advanced, invasive procedures that include, IV access, drug administration (Giving the right drug, at the right dose, at the right time), Intubations, Criques, interpret EKGs, Defibrulation, cradiac pacing, you will be making diagnosis and deciding the correct treatments, tasks that would be unheard of for an RN with many more years of training than you do. You are the medical expert on the scene, there isnt a doctor telling you what to do.

When its 3 a.m. and you are on your 15th call of the day you arent allowed to make a mistake. And when you go on that run and nothing seems to go right. You get to go home thinking about it.

It is a very honorable job that brings loads of satisfaction along with plenty bad outcomes, and includes the responsibility on your shoulders for life of peoples loved ones. For some its too much to take and tey find another line of work .Its a sucky task to have to walk over to the family and say "I'm sorry we did everything could". And at the same time there is nothing like reviving someone and thinking "Wow..... I saved that dudes life".... It should be persued because of an interest in it, a drive to be the best.

Answer 8

hun where there is a will there is a way. if it really interests you then do it. work hard and don't forget to ask for help if you need it its nothing to be ashamed about. I am sure you will be great. good luck =)

Answer 9

Aahhh no I gues it depends to you on where do you wanna see yourself doing after what. Because as long as we live nothing will be easier for us we have to fight till to the end,don t be afraid my sis/bro go for it you can do it....