Paramedics have a highly rewarding and sought-after job that is predicted to grow 33% by 2020. However, to be a paramedic, you have to invest many hours in training, be quick on your feet, and help patients with calm down as quickly as possible. If you want to know how to become a paramedic, continue with the next steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Meet the requirements
Step 1. Get a high school diploma or GED
If you want to be a paramedic, you must meet this basic education requirement. If you are really interested in this, study courses related to the field, such as anatomy and physiology. Once you have advanced enough in the paramedic training process, some college courses like biology and anatomy, you are already a B. A. or you have taken them, then you will have good chances.
If you are really determined to become a paramedic after graduation, there is nothing that can stop you
Step 2. Keep your record clean
That's right, before you become a paramedic you will have to pass a history check that shows that you have not committed crimes in your past. Getting into legal trouble for drug use or other crimes can also interfere with your becoming a paramedic. Paramedics must demonstrate strong character and respect for the law.
Step 3. You must be at least 18 years old
This should not be a problem as you will probably almost have them or will already have them after graduating from diversified.
Step 4. Get the qualities of a paramedic
Although you can work to develop the skills you will need to be a paramedic, if you already have them, you will be a better candidate and will be more physically and mentally prepared to do the job. These are the skills that you should have and develop.
- Compassion. You will have to offer emotional support to patients in extreme situations.
- Interpersonal skills. You will also need to get along with team members to complete the job.
- Listening skills This skill will help you understand the severity of your patients' injuries.
- Strength. You will have to lift things, bend and kneel, so you must be in good physical condition.
- Problem solving skills. The solution to a patient's problem will not be obvious all the time.
- Communication skills. You will have to clearly explain the procedures to a patient and also communicate, give and receive orders on the equipment.
Step 5. Speak a foreign language (optional)
Although speaking Spanish or another language that is commonly spoken in your community will not guarantee the job, it will give you an advantage in the application process. Many paramedics do not speak a foreign language, so if you are one of the few applicants in your area who speaks a common local language, your resume will gain a lot of advantage.
Method 2 of 3: Get the certificate
Step 1. Get certified in CPR
This is required for a basic EMT class. Check with your school or EMT course instructor first, as CPR certification may be part of the class. If not, the Red Cross, American Health and Safety Institute, American Heart Association, and Wild Medical Associates all offer relatively inexpensive CPR classes, but entry into a paramedic program will give preference to people who have the Card. Health Provider of the American Heart Association.
Step 2. Get your EMT-Basic certification
This is mandatory to be a paramedic. There are four levels of EMT:
- E. M. R (Emergency Medical Response) also known as first responder
- EMT-B (Basic Emergency Medical Technician). This is the certification that is commonly referred to as EMT.
- A. E. M. T (Advanced Emergency Medical Technician) Also known as intermediate (not a certification recognized in all states).
- EMT-P or paramedic
Step 3. Get your EMT-B certification
Most community colleges offer classes for EMT-Basic. They cost between $ 500 to $ 900 and last 3 to 6 months, or a semester. In some communities you will have to help as a "third person" for a few months before a class is assigned to you. Sometimes you pay for the class and you get reimbursed. In other cases the service will pay for your training.
Step 4. Take the EMT-Basic National Registry exam
It is a computer test and can get complicated. The exam is "tailored" to your level: it will adjust the difficulty of its questions according to your ability to answer previous questions correctly. So if you answer the first few questions correctly, the test will start asking more difficult questions. The goal is to establish your level of knowledge. The exam also includes a "practice" test and you should practice the EMT skills until you feel comfortable doing it before taking the EMT-B exam.
Step 5. This step is completely optional:
Get one year of EMT-B experience. This experience could help you better prepare to be a paramedic. After obtaining this experience, you will have two options: train as an EMT-I (intermediate EMT) if your state recognized EMT-I certifications, or go directly as a paramedic. If you train like an EMT-I you will end up doing some of the same work, like starting IVs and training in the basic performance of an EKG. But let's assume you continue on the path to being a paramedic after your first year of experience (which is optional).
Some schools require documentation of the emergencies you've responded to, so keep a list and write down the classification of each (cardiac, trauma, respiratory, etc.) Review your list before attending any oral interviews about your grades
Step 6. Enroll in the paramedic school
You can complete this training at your community college or technical schools, from which you could earn an associate's degree. You will have to complete around 1,300 hours of training, which can take up to two years. Paramedic programs alone can cost up to $ 15,000 (not including books). Costs can vary greatly, so look carefully at the available options. Look up the courses offered by each program so you don't have to take them elsewhere.
Some fire departments will pay for your paramedic program if you work with them as an EMT-B firefighter
Step 7. Complete the firefighter training
Your practice will be broader in scope and you may even learn how to suture wounds or how to administer IV medications. Here are some things you will need to do:
- Take a class on IV (intravenous injections) and get certified in IV
- Take an EKG (echocardiogram) interpretation class
- Pass college-level math, English, and biology classes (required by most programs)
- Get certified in Advanced Cardiac Support, Advanced Pediatric Support and Pre-hospital Trauma Support. Some paramedic programs take the time to include these certifications. So check your schedule first.
Step 8. Train yourself to drive an ambulance
Most agencies require you to take the Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC) before driving an ambulance. Most EMTs and paramedics take an 8-hour training course before operating an ambulance. Although it is not required where you live because candidates are chosen as third parties, this will help you to be a better candidate.
Step 9. Win the National Registry Exam
Once you have won this exam, you will be registered as an EMT-P. The exam has a written and a practical component. All states require paramedics to be licensed, but some states require that they also take the state exam to be fully qualified. Check your state's requirements to see what you need to do.
Method 3 of 3: Be Successful in Your Career
Step 1. Gain experience by volunteering or teaching
Volunteering is a great way to stand out in the application process and to better promote yourself. Although if you want to pursue a career as a paramedic, you will obviously want to get paid, working without pay is a great way to become a better candidate when the time comes. If you are volunteering at a fire station or hospital, you will also make connections there and will be more easily remembered and noticed when the hospital or fire station needs another paramedic.
Teaching is a key part of the paramedic's job, as they will expect you to teach new hires the job. So if you can get teaching experience, hiring managers will be more impressed when they see your resume
Step 2. Get a contract
Once you have passed the paramedic exam, you will be eligible to be hired by fire agencies, ambulance companies and hospitals or to volunteer with fire agencies or EMS. But having a little volunteer or teaching experience can help you stand out as a candidate. Don't give up if you don't get a job the first time; There is a shortage of EMT in the country and you will find your space after doing the hard work.
Step 3. Stay in shape
If you want to be successful in your career, you will have to stay in good physical shape. Although being a paramedic is not as rigorous as being a firefighter, you should still maintain your cardiovascular health as well as your strength so that you can continue to do your job.
Advice
- Ski patrol
- Life jacket
- To accumulate the 12 months of EMT-Basic internship, you can do many things.
Warnings
- Some of the most successful paramedics are those with stable and down-to-earth personalities. This is because work can be a bit stressful, sometimes even scary. Consult with a practicing paramedic about this aspect of the job.
- Requirements may vary depending on your location or where you will take the class.
- Be careful when picking up sick patients, you could already catch their diseases.