Tuesday 14 June 2011

How You Can Become A Paramedic Or EMT


Paramedics and emergency medical technicians are responsible for taking care of patients in a very stressful environment. They are typically called upon by an emergency medical team in order to help assist in the care of a patient’s condition. They also are required to make sure that they arrive at the hospital safely. Paramedics obtain their skills and training at a paramedic school. They will begin their training at the basic emergency medical technician level, all the way through the intermediate levels and then to the paramedic level.

The paramedic training program will require anywhere from 20 to 40 months to complete. Once the training is completed, the paramedic has a variety of career options open to him or her. Paramedic schools provide education and training in emergency medicine. They are designed to provide both on site training with an ambulance company and class room instruction. Those who wish to enroll in the paramedic school have to have completed all four levels of emergency medical training before taking any advanced courses.

You’ll also be trained in conducting preliminary diagnosis of the patient, administering drugs and fluids in an emergency setting, applying manual defibrillators, inserting or tracheal equipment, and transporting the patient to the hospital. In addition, you will be working with police officers and fire department personnel.

Paramedic school programs are divided into several levels of training. This is designed so that each student that is in training can learn the vital and critical skills that are necessary to succeed in the industry. Prospective paramedics have to go through four stages of training. The first level is known as the EMT-Basic. At this level, you will be required to take numerous preparatory classes and work for a full 12 months on an ambulance truck.

One of the key differences of being an emergency medical technician and being a paramedic is the level of skills and knowledge that is acquired. Paramedic training usually requires extensive training in anatomy and physiology. You will also learn about other advanced topics, such as diagnosis the patient and patient assessment. You may choose to pursue your paramedic training on a part time basis, so that you can pace yourself. Some paramedic schools may even offer some of their classes in an online setting. This can be an especially convenient way to train and get the knowledge necessary to manage patients in a very high stress situation. You’ll be sure to have the necessary skills to make important decisions about someone in a critical position.

While many of the paramedics work for an emergency medical services provider, the majority of them will start careers in fire departments or in other areas. Common career options for paramedics include clinical auditor, hospital paramedic, dispatcher, EMS paramedics, and supervisor of emergency medical services. Paramedic education begins as early as the first year of emergency medical technician training. The students are not fully prepared for certification until they have finished all of the required training in physiology, anatomy, and other high level courses. Some of the more common courses include CPR, defensive driving, pediatric life support, disease control, pharmacology, first aid, and life support training. All 50 states will require paramedics and EMTs to be certified. This is done by taking a formal examination. They are also required to recertify every two years and continue to work in their field in order to maintain their status. Those who wish to advance their career may take additional training courses in management and marketing. Sales, marketing and management jobs involve working with pharmaceutical companies and possibly overseeing an emergency healthcare facility. 

1 comment:

  1. I actually agree with your post. In addition to this, the job of the Paramedic or Ambulance Technician is often a demanding and at the same time rewarding career. In fact, in United Kingdom a paramedic can now earn up to £26,500 once they have completed their training with service managers earning up to £38,000. Isn't that inviting and rewarding for those who want to become a paramedic?

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