Paramedic Internships
Becoming a paramedic involves hundreds of hours of classroom instruction and internships, also called clinicals or rotations. All paramedic students have to spend time on an ambulance and in the hospital. While details vary by school, they all adhere to the national curriculum's minimum standards. Internships are a required part of the training, and therefore do not have an additional cost. The students may have to purchase uniforms to be worn during the internship, though.
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Hospital internships will almost definitely be at the largest hospital in the area, especially if it is associated with a medical school. The majority of the interns' time will be spent in the emergency room. Some of the other required rotations include the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Labor and Delivery, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, the burn unit, the in-patient psychiatric unit, and the Operating Room (for intubation practice). Each unit usually has designated preceptors that are familiar with the skills and assessments the paramedic interns must complete. The amount of time students spend in each unit varies, but the minimum is eight hours.
Most paramedics work in the back of ambulances so students will spend many hours there too. Paramedic programs have relationships with the local EMS agencies and fire departments, and there are experienced preceptors assigned to work with the interns. Students should always work with the same preceptor if possible. Paramedic programs may allow students to complete internships at their own agencies. All interns must respond to 911 calls and treat a wide range of emergencies; CPR, Chest pain, difficulty breathing, seizures, syncope, trauma, and diabetic emergencies are just a few examples. The interns must also serve as the team leader on calls.
Whether in the hospital or in the ambulance, all paramedic interns will be required to complete skills and thorough patient assessments. Starting IVs, performing and interpreting EKGs, administering medications, and intubating are some of the skills students must practice. Typically the interns will start in the hospital before moving to the ambulance. This allows them to hone their skills in a controlled environment. Once the paramedic students begin the ambulance internships, they will start out demonstrating basic skills. Only after they have demonstrated competency at that level will they be given more responsibility. By completing all of the required internships, the paramedic students should be able to perform as entry-level providers by the time they graduate.
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