A paramedic and paramedic training are often misunderstood by the average person; so I will give an overview of this career.
First be aware that an emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic are not limited to working as firefighters or ambulance first responders. The EMS professional can be found in police work, hospitals, private businesses, security facilities such as jails and prisons, and public industries such as casinos, arenas or amusement parks.
Certification Levels
Currently, in the U.S., there are about 201,000 paramedics employed in various levels of expertise. This certification requires attending paramedic school and becoming licensed. The most basic training, known as EMT-B (basic), involves giving emergency care along with transporting the patient via ambulance to area hospitals. Next, EMT intermediate involves more advanced instruction and knowledge in the areas of managing respiratory, trauma and cardiac arrest. The intermediate is also taught how to administer some medications. This level is often divided into two portions, EMT-I/85 (lower level intermediate) and EMT-I/99 (higher level intermediate). The highest advanced level of certification is called EMT Paramedic. This level of training involves anatomy, physiology and advance medical skills.
Keep in mind, all fifty states and the District of Columbia offer EMS training programs. This is also true for the UK and many other countries. Paramedic school programs can be found at many Community Colleges where the Associate’s Degree is offered. The school can offer its own certification exam or you can opt to take the corresponding State Exam. All paramedics, once certified, are required to re-certify every two years.
State Certification
An EMT must also receive state certification within the state or region they will be employed. States have their own specific certification requirements for each level of EMT and paramedic training. The state agencies and EMS boards overseeing the emergency medical services within their state also require accreditation through their agencies for any EMT programs or paramedic training schools, in order for an individual to be licensed in that state.
If you are considering this very challenging yet rewarding career as a paramedic, let me emphasize that this is not an ordinary 8 to 5 job. Weekends, shift work, emergency calls just as you might be getting off a shift, the hours can be variable an unpredictable. In addition, dealing with life or death situations, suffering people, and high energy moments, ion a daily basis can take its toll. The professional in this field can be exposed to diseases, illnesses, long hours, stressful response situations, and in addition, the heavy lifting, loud sirens and adverse weather also plays a part in the work conditions.
Hopefully this overview will help individuals understand just how advanced and important the instruction can be if you are seriously interested in entering this career field. The best quality to have for working in this field is to have the desire to help people and save lives. This is an attribute that cannot be taught in any school and no amount of instruction can help you achieve it. Should you possess these valuable traits, and desire to help people, consider the elite profession of an EMT paramedic.
EMT Paramedic Training – Application Check List
EMS certification necessitates individuals to obtain an education over and above a high school diploma. Typically, and specifically in order progress to the highest level of an EMT, a college degree at or beyond an Associate Degree is essential. Though each state and country will vary within the pre-requisites essential for applying to an EMS program or paramedic school, Read More…