In the emergency medical services (EMS) industry, paramedics are highly skilled medical professionals who offer urgent care to patients both inside ambulances and when they arrive at hospitals.
Emergency patient care requires a highly competent, concentrated expert who can act quickly and wisely.
Successful paramedics who can deliver the best treatment for patients in challenging settings must complete the necessary training.
Depending on their background when entering a paramedic program, paramedics must go through anywhere from six months to two years of training in order to be certified for these life-saving duties.
Although the paramedic profession can be extremely gratifying, it also calls for a lot of training, responsibility, and preparedness.
Therefore, get ready to discover more about the field, understand how long it takes to become a paramedic and discover what steps you need to follow to really become a paramedic in this article
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What is a Paramedic School Like?
There are a few key factors to take into account if you’re considering moving forward with your EMS career by enrolling in paramedic school.
It takes far more time than EMT school did, but you’ll gain useful skills, get paid significantly more, and be given more responsibility in the patient care industry.
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Paramedic school requirements
Although each school will have different prerequisites, the majority of paramedic programs require the following:
- EMT accreditation
- Immunizations and proof of CPR certification
- Health protection
- Driving permit
- Drug test and criminal background check
To ensure that applicants are qualified for the program, many paramedic programs conduct interviews before accepting them.
During these interviews, candidates are typically questioned about their background, EMS goals, and moral character.
Before candidates are allowed to enroll in paramedic courses, some programs may even stipulate that they must have worked in EMS for a specific period of time.
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Timeline for paramedic school
Programs for paramedics can last anything from six to 18 months.
There are usually divisions for didactic, clinical, and field internships.
You’ll attend labs and lectures given by knowledgeable paramedics during the didactic portion of the course.
A whole eight-hour day will be spent in either the lab or the lecture for some programs, like the paramedic course at Foothill College, which only meets twice a week.
To accommodate an EMT or firefighter’s schedule, other schedules will meet more frequently each week but on different days.
Paramedics also need to complete 600 to 1200 hours of clinical training, which must be spread out across places like the emergency room, pediatric emergency room or neonatal intensive care unit, cath lab, and behavioral/psych unit.
Additionally, you’ll usually be required to practice particular skills like intubation a predetermined number of times under the supervision of a medical practitioner.
You’ll work alongside paramedic (or firefighter-paramedic) preceptors during the field internship in the ambulance’s back seat.
Furthermore, you will be qualified to take the NREMT and earn formal paramedic certification once you have successfully completed all portions of your course.
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Is Attending a Paramedic School Worth It?
First off, working as a paramedic is hardly a glamorous profession.
Notably, the essential qualities for being a paramedic are patience, persistence, and hard work.
The work itself is undoubtedly not for the weak of the heart.
However, it’s also crucial to understand that working as a paramedic can be among the world’s most gratifying careers.
Consider the fact that you spend your days rescuing lives.
There are a lot of people that require medical care at any one time.
Most likely as a result of an accident or other emergency situations.
It might be a vehicle accident, a shooting, childbirth, drowning, or a heart attack.
It’s crucial to understand that how quickly you can reach the people will determine whether or not they survive.
Working alongside other first responders like firefighters and police officers is what a paramedic does.
You will be sent by a 911 operator to different incidents where your duty will be to offer medical assistance.
A career in emergency medicine may enable you to achieve your lifelong ambition of helping people.
Lastly, it offers you the ability to help those who are in need and save lives in your neighborhood.
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What Schooling Do You Need to Be a Paramedic?
You’ll need a high school certificate or GED certification to work as a Paramedic.
Prior to enrolling in an emergency medical technology program at a postsecondary institution, Paramedics must obtain CPR certification.
These courses last for one to two years but do not award degrees.
Additional training is necessary for paramedics, and it can call for a certificate in emergency medical training.
1. Become a certified EMT
Earning a certification as an EMT is a prerequisite for becoming a licensed paramedic.
At a community college or vocational school, you can fulfill this requirement by successfully completing an accredited EMT training program.
Depending on the certification level you choose, the training period will vary.
In three to six weeks, you can finish your training to become a basic EMT certified.
After completing a training program successfully, you must pass an EMT certification exam through your state’s or the NREMT’s (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) organization.
Both the cognitive and psychomotor skills portions of the NREMT are included.
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2. Complete a paramedic training course that is recognized
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs has accredited paramedic training programs, so look for one that has this certification.
The length of these programs might range from six months to two years, depending on the route you pursue.
With general education classes in addition to your specific medical training, some institutions provide an associate degree in emergency medical technology.
Shorter programs mostly concentrate on developing your skills.
To be eligible for the NREMT certification exam, you must complete 1,200–1,800 hours of instruction.
3. Put together a paramedic portfolio
Candidates for paramedic positions must finish a portfolio that demonstrates their mastery of 12 psychomotor abilities.
Your skill development from lab, clinical, and internship experiences is organized in the portfolio.
By using the NREMT website, your teachers can update your portfolio.
You cannot take the paramedic certification exam unless you have finished this portfolio.
4. Submit your application fee
Candidates for the paramedic certification exam must pay the NREMT application fee.
5. Become certified by the NREMT
On the day and at the time specified, candidates may spend many hours finishing the paramedic certification exam.
6. Obtain certification in advanced life support
BLS-CPR certification is required for EMTs and paramedics (basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation for healthcare workers).
This certification is available from institutions like the American Heart Association.
In most cases, your training and certification can be obtained in a single day.
You should also know that you can sign up for classes in person or online.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Licensed Paramedic in 2024?
The time it takes to become a paramedic might range from six months to two years, depending on your present training and experience.
You must first become an EMT before you can become a paramedic.
You also need to pass a certification exam, complete a paramedic training program offered by an accredited institution (often lasting between 1,200 and 1,800 hours), and obtain a license from the state where you intend to practice.
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How Much Does It Cost to Become a Licensed Paramedic in 2024?
Depending on the institution, paramedic training programs typically last one to two years and have a tuition range of between $3,000 to $13,000.
The tuition rates at community colleges differ greatly from one another, and out-of-state students may pay significantly more.
For instance, the cost of tuition for a two-year degree at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York City is $6,300.
In contrast, the cost of a 1.5-year degree at Tacoma Community College in Washington is $3,373.70.
University paramedic programs have similar tuition expenses to community institutions, which are more expensive.
As an illustration, paramedic training is available for $5,500 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.
In addition to having greater tuition than community colleges and other publicly financed institutions, technical schools may also provide more flexible schedules for working adults.
The cost of tuition, for instance, ranges between $11,000 and $13,000 at the California EMS Academy.
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification exam for paramedics costs $110 at the same time.
Salary and Job Outlook for Paramedics after Study
Paramedics and EMTs make a median yearly pay of $36,650, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The average earning potential and number of career prospects for paramedics are higher than those for EMTs.
The 10% of EMTs and paramedics with the highest yearly incomes earn more than $62,150.
Also, the future of the paramedic profession and the healthcare industry is promising.
The BLS predicts that between 2020 and 2030, there will be an 11% increase in the number of EMTs and paramedics, creating about 20,700 new jobs annually.
The BLS predicts that over the same time period, the healthcare industry will expand by roughly 16 percent, adding a total of almost 2.6 million new jobs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it takes dedication and the appropriate training through the correct curriculum to become a paramedic.
Finding a job in this industry requires a lot of effort, but if you do, you can enjoy a career that is fulfilling and changes people’s lives on a daily basis.
The work you were educated to undertake will truly save lives.
Also,it is a fantastic moment to begin working in the fascinating industry of emergency medical care.
Therefore, a job you can be proud of and love while having a significant impact on the world is being a paramedic.