2 answers
kaelyn
Student
Mount Ayr, Iowa
1
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how to start
what can i do to get ready to be a paramedic
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2 answers
ian villebrun
Correctional specialist
94
Answers
Mountain Iron, Minnesota
Updated
ian’s Answer
1. Get your high school diploma or GED
The first step to take on your journey to becoming a paramedic is to get your high school diploma or general educational development (GED) credential. Completing relevant courses such as physiology and anatomy can provide you with useful foundational knowledge for your paramedic career. Besides a high school education, it's also a requirement to be at least 18 years old before you can start with your professional training.
Related: How To Put Your GED on Your Resume
2. Get an EMT-Basic certification
Before you can embark on your paramedic training, earn the EMT-Basic certification, which is the first level of EMT training. An EMT-Basic training course typically takes about six months to complete.
Training includes learning how to take vital signs and offer basic life support, such as administering oxygen or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Candidates also learn a wide range of non-invasive techniques and skills. These include bleeding control, management of burns, splinting of suspected fractures and spinal injuries and the administration of a limited set of medications.
Once you've completed your EMT-Basic certification, you can take the certification examination through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
Read more: What Is an Emergency Medical Technician?
3. Gain work experience
Depending on the paramedic training program you opt for, you may need to gain EMT work experience of six months to a year to gain entrance. Even if it's not a requirement, getting practical on-the-job experience can help provide you with a solid foundation for your paramedic training.
Related: Q&A: How Long Does It Take To Become a Paramedic?
4. Complete a paramedic training program
You can choose from a wide range of paramedic training programs, which may earn you a certificate, a diploma or an associate degree. Paramedic training provides candidates with advanced skills in cardiology, trauma management, patient assessment, medication administration, airway procedures and patient stabilization.
These courses also typically include field clinical rotations and ambulance runs. Depending on the program, you can also expect to complete your training within one to two years.
Related: A Guide to Schooling Requirements To Be a Paramedic
5. Become a certified and licensed paramedic
All states require their paramedics to have their licenses. To gain licensure, you first can gain your national certificate by taking and passing the relevant NREMT exam, which comprises a cognitive and psychomotor exam.
The latter tests patient assessment in areas such as trauma, dynamic cardiology and an integrated out-of-hospital training scenario. Depending on the state in which you wish to practice, you may also need to pass a state-specific exam before you can work as a licensed paramedic within that state.
The first step to take on your journey to becoming a paramedic is to get your high school diploma or general educational development (GED) credential. Completing relevant courses such as physiology and anatomy can provide you with useful foundational knowledge for your paramedic career. Besides a high school education, it's also a requirement to be at least 18 years old before you can start with your professional training.
Related: How To Put Your GED on Your Resume
2. Get an EMT-Basic certification
Before you can embark on your paramedic training, earn the EMT-Basic certification, which is the first level of EMT training. An EMT-Basic training course typically takes about six months to complete.
Training includes learning how to take vital signs and offer basic life support, such as administering oxygen or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Candidates also learn a wide range of non-invasive techniques and skills. These include bleeding control, management of burns, splinting of suspected fractures and spinal injuries and the administration of a limited set of medications.
Once you've completed your EMT-Basic certification, you can take the certification examination through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
Read more: What Is an Emergency Medical Technician?
3. Gain work experience
Depending on the paramedic training program you opt for, you may need to gain EMT work experience of six months to a year to gain entrance. Even if it's not a requirement, getting practical on-the-job experience can help provide you with a solid foundation for your paramedic training.
Related: Q&A: How Long Does It Take To Become a Paramedic?
4. Complete a paramedic training program
You can choose from a wide range of paramedic training programs, which may earn you a certificate, a diploma or an associate degree. Paramedic training provides candidates with advanced skills in cardiology, trauma management, patient assessment, medication administration, airway procedures and patient stabilization.
These courses also typically include field clinical rotations and ambulance runs. Depending on the program, you can also expect to complete your training within one to two years.
Related: A Guide to Schooling Requirements To Be a Paramedic
5. Become a certified and licensed paramedic
All states require their paramedics to have their licenses. To gain licensure, you first can gain your national certificate by taking and passing the relevant NREMT exam, which comprises a cognitive and psychomotor exam.
The latter tests patient assessment in areas such as trauma, dynamic cardiology and an integrated out-of-hospital training scenario. Depending on the state in which you wish to practice, you may also need to pass a state-specific exam before you can work as a licensed paramedic within that state.
Xavier Bell | MBA
Career Change - Life Learner- Education People Development
12
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Xavier’s Answer
Hi Kaelyn- A very noble profession to enter into- My daughter is pre-med right now at U.T. Austin (hook ‘em) and is very excited about her future. One thing I can tell you she did to reassure herself was network. It sounds harder than it actually is, maybe a little mysterious as well, but people want to help you. Working with the teachers at her school she found a spouse of an instructor that was a doctor and willing to let her shadow at work and was a wealth of information on the academic and personal journey.
How to start- You may be able to get a job in your field. If you are above 16 in most states you can have a job. (Think summer/part time) Answering phones, washing trucks, maid service- Heck make your own appreciation day and bring brownies or cookies to a facility- just anything to make a friend or establish a connection. Be respectful of their time and mission, ask about best times to interact-but get out there. They are the experts-Who better to have your questions answered by?
Build a network- First start with your teachers/friends- Does any one have a family member or peer in your industry? - This could be a connection for you.
Ask a student advisor/guidance counselor if they know of anyone in your field you can speak to- This could be a connection for you
Call your local EMS services centers. Remember most are private companies but they may offer career days and or a mentor program- This could be a contact for you.
This is well within your grasp- Sometimes the hardest thing to do is take a first step… and you just did!!! Don’t be timid, You can do It-
Excelsior!
How to start- You may be able to get a job in your field. If you are above 16 in most states you can have a job. (Think summer/part time) Answering phones, washing trucks, maid service- Heck make your own appreciation day and bring brownies or cookies to a facility- just anything to make a friend or establish a connection. Be respectful of their time and mission, ask about best times to interact-but get out there. They are the experts-Who better to have your questions answered by?
Build a network- First start with your teachers/friends- Does any one have a family member or peer in your industry? - This could be a connection for you.
Ask a student advisor/guidance counselor if they know of anyone in your field you can speak to- This could be a connection for you
Call your local EMS services centers. Remember most are private companies but they may offer career days and or a mentor program- This could be a contact for you.
This is well within your grasp- Sometimes the hardest thing to do is take a first step… and you just did!!! Don’t be timid, You can do It-
Excelsior!