You cannot become a paramedic solely on the fact that you are a firefighter or First Responder - this is a myth that has circulated for years. The fact is, EMS training and certification goes extensively above and beyond volunteering as a firefighter, First Responder, or any related EMS position.
That’s not to say that volunteering in such as role is not a good step towards successful training and employment; it can be very valuable in several ways. It is like an internship; you can determine if this is the work you really want to do as job career, and you can get your name (and foot) in the door to possible employment once you are certified. However, you will not become a qualified paramedic nor will you be able to administer advanced first aid until you have completed the EMT Basic (EMT-B) level of certification, which is just the first level of education for paramedic certification. In the U.S., Canada, and most countries you will need to take advanced instructional courses to become a licensed paramedic.
Even more important, it is vital to have an understanding that there are basic requirements to obtain prior to enrolling in any EMT training school. These are simple and include age, education, background and health checks, to name a few.
When you fulfill the basic requirements for acceptance in to a course or program, there are numerous steps you can choose to begin your paramedic certification:
- Online EMT courses and programs
- Accelerated EMT courses
- Fast Track Basic EMT training
- Emergency First Responder Course
- Red Cross First Aide EMT Basic
EMS Education
Researching your options is an important step when choosing which path to take as you start your education. EMT and paramedic training programs are offered at community colleges, technical schools, hospitals, universities, and can also be found in some EMS facilities such as fire and police agencies. If you live within the U.S., start by contacting your state EMS office. Information for advanced courses, such as paramedic training, can be found by contacting the Committee on Accreditation for EMS Professionals. These agencies are a good starting point and a valuable asset as they can direct you to local training in your area.
The majority of EMS programs are designed and planned for the student planning to go from EMT-Basic and Intermediate, to certification for the highest level of paramedic. However, ALWAYS verify that the EMS course or program you choose offers the levels of EMT training you aspire to. Furthermore, ALWAYS verify the accreditation and authorization of the courses you will be enrolling in, to be sure they are standard and accepted by the state EMS requirements.
Training Courses
Once you decide which path you will take towards certification and you have verified that it is an accredited EMS school or course programs, checking the school’s reputation. Though it’s not common, it is also not uncommon to hear of a student who, for whatever reasons, needed to transfer to another school, and his school records and/or credits would not transfer. And again, be sure the content of the paramedic training courses fit the state requirements. We cannot stress this enough. Within the U.S. check it is easy, and important, to see if the program follows the guidelines established by the US Department of Transportation. A good starting point is to find out the requirements of paramedic certification in your state or country. The U.S. and Canada, as well as many other countries have different levels of educational courses and the requirements for each can vary considerably.
No one wants to take a lot of time to research programs, yet keep in mind the education that you choose is a very important decision. The school or institution where you enroll can affect your job prospects, as well as how prepared you are when you go out into the field. If it’s a good, accredited school, that information will be upfront and easy to verify. So take your time, research EMS courses and schools. Make an informed decision and you will be a successful paramedic with a satisfying and worthwhile career ahead of you.
EMS Training – Requires Physical Agility
When making your career path decisions, do not ignore the fact that individuals enrolled in EMT and paramedic training programs must go through rigorous physical training. Some students have compared the requirements for the physical portion of paramedic training as similar to military boot camp training. Paramedics must be sufficiently strong to handle any emergency situation they are dispatched to. This involves passing the Physical Agility Test as part of your paramedic training. Read more …(see post for full article)