Paramedics are the saviors in most cases of emergency. They are responsible for providing you the vital medical treatment during the times of crisis. They are mostly employed by hospitals, ambulance services or fire departments. It is the competency of paramedic upon which the life of the patient is depended. Thus, the job of the paramedic is a responsible one and needs you to possess certain critical skills. Before you think about how to become a paramedic, you need to understand the paramedic job description. More on medical jobs.
Paramedic Job Description
Paramedics or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) are employed to provide an on-the-spot emergency medical treatment to the patient, so that the patient holds on until a proper medical treatment under the supervision of the doctor is initiated. Thus, paramedics take the vital signs of the patient and try to gauge the extent of injury or damage to the body. While transporting the patient in an ambulance, the paramedics assess the history of the patient so that they are equipped with all the necessary information that might be required to decide the course of treatment. Usually, a call from 911, directs to the paramedic agency and summons them to the location of crisis. Paramedics work for about 40 – 60 hours per week, depending upon their employer. This job requires them to have terrific mental and physical toughness. When one becomes a fully qualified paramedic and acquires a license for it, he would start earning about USD 44,000 a year.
How to Become a Paramedic
Paramedic education requirements include completing a formal course of paramedic which takes about 18 to 24 months. Along with classroom education, you also need to do some field duty, so as to get a hands on experience about the job of paramedic. The training comprises of three levels, EMT-Basic, intermediate and advance levels of paramedical studies. EMT-Basic is mandatory for everyone who wishes to become a paramedic. Almost every community college or hospital offers EMT-B training. Upon the successful completion of EMT-B, you may proceed to the next level which is intermediate level. However, you may choose to skip this level and directly move to the paramedic level. But then, you will have to complete the stipulated number of job hours, before you become eligible for the advance course.
If you opt to complete intermediate level first, then the prerequisite is that you should have completed 12 months as an EMT-B trainee and produce a proof for the same. Either ways, you’ll eventually land up for paramedic preparatory classes. The curriculum includes anatomy & physiology, electrocardiography (ECG), algebra and at least a 10th grade reading comprehension. In most states, paramedic is a vocational course without a prerequisite for completion of degree course. However, some states like Washington have made at least 2 years of degree education mandatory for anyone who wishes to sign up for paramedic classes. It is important that you do not compromise on the quality of education imparted by the training institute.
Paramedic course is a difficult one and needs to be taken seriously if you wish to complete it successfully. It is also an expensive course which may cost you about USD 4000, only for class fees. The last step is to appear for the national paramedic exam and pass it with requisite grades. Once you acquire all the qualifications to become a paramedic, you can apply for the license in your state and begin job hunting.
Read more on other health care jobs:
Hospital Jobs
Physical Therapy Jobs
Nursing
One important advice for anyone who is pondering over ‘how to become a paramedic’ is that, this is a job that will demand you to make several sacrifices on personal level. Hence, make sure you are prepared for it, before you enter one of the most noble careers in the world.
