Continuing Ed for the EMT Paramedic
All EMT paramedics, once certified as such, are required to recertify every two years.
I would like to give an overview on this topic. This is a field that is often misunderstood by the average person. This type of employee can be found in police work, fire department work, hospitals and private ambulance services.
First of all, this type of individual responds to emergency calls. Calls that involve people who are having heart attacks, women in childbirth, victims of gunshot wounds, are just a few examples. Therefore, people’s lives are dependent upon the quick response and competent care received from Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. It is important to know that the quick and efficient way that the paramedic acts after receiving the 911 call, is crucial to lives being saved every day.
How much education and training goes into being certified for this important line of work? You may want to know if the paramedic is required to study medicine or physiology. Let’s take a look:
Currently, in the U.S., there are about 201,000 paramedics employed in various levels of expertise. The most basic training involves giving emergency care along with transporting the patient via ambulance to area hospitals. Next, intermediate training involves more knowledge than basic of managing respiratory, trauma and cardiac arrest. In addition, the intermediate is taught how to administer some medicatons. The third level of expertise is simply called the EMT-Paramedic level. This level of training involves anatomy, physiology and advance medical skills.
Keep in mind, all fifty states and the District of Columbia offer EMT Paramedic Programs. The education required can be found at many Community Colleges where the Associate’s Degree is offered. In addition to the required course work, up to 350 hours in training is also a part of the educational process. The school can offer its own certification exam or you can opt to take the corresponding State Exam. Once you pass the exam, it is required that you recertify every two years.
As a precaution to those seriously thinking of becoming a part of this very challenging profession, let me emphasize that this is not an ordinary 8 to 5 job. Responding to emergencies every day can be very stressful and a week consisting of 50 to 60 hours is not uncommon. In addition, dealing with life or death matters and suffering people every day can take its toll. The employee in this field can be exposed to HIV and other diseases. In addition, the heavy lifting, loud sirens and adverse weather also plays a part in the work conditions.
Hopefully, this overview has helped the individual understand just how advanced the training can be if you are seriously interested in this line of work. The best quality to have in doing EMT Paramedic work is to have the desire to help people in their time of need. This is a quality that cannot be taught and no amount of training can achieve.
For more information please go to www.caahep.org.
