Online paramedic refresher programs

Carlos Danger

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I am considering reinstating my paramedic certification, and the first part of that process will be completing a paramedic refresher program. Looking at a few different online programs, it appears that the most "complete" program is the 60-hour course through paramedicrefresher.com. The schedule looks convenient and I know the NREMT requires 60 hours of CE for reinstatement, but I also came across 30 hour (medicalednow) and 48 hour (distancecme.com) programs. I think I also have to arrange and have documentation of a practical skill refresher a state certified instructor.

I haven't deal with paramedic certification requirements in a handful of years, so I am definitely out of the loop. I know I need the 60 hour course, but what is the difference between the 30, 48, and 60 refresher courses? Why are there different length refreshers?

Also, any general feedback on online refresher programs would be appreciated.
 

MMiz

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I don't have an answer to your questions, but I was surprised at how many community colleges in my North Carolina offered online Paramedic refresher courses for all of the hours with a TSOP evaluation included. Its usually half the cost of the commercial online programs.
 
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Carlos Danger

Carlos Danger

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I don't have an answer to your questions, but I was surprised at how many community colleges in my North Carolina offered online Paramedic refresher courses for all of the hours with a TSOP evaluation included. Its usually half the cost of the commercial online programs.
Can you point me in the direction any of online refresher programs in NC that you are referring to? Also what is TSOP? Thanks.
 

VentMonkey

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I just wrapped up my NRP con-ed with DistanceCME. The content itself is mediocre at best, however, they have several packages to fit your needs.

Their courses are done in 2-hour blocks, and are just about round the clock for the year that you’re allowed to complete them.

Recertification seems to have gotten much easier amidst the pandemic, and I’d venture to guess that you’d have a fairly easy time reinstating, or with recertification in general.

I’m not sure what NC’s rules are, but again most of these sites know it’s competitive so they do what they can to work with you, be it discounts, time management, etc.

Good luck, I’m sure you’ll find the material in all of these courses “highly educational”.
 

MMiz

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Can you point me in the direction any of online refresher programs in NC that you are referring to? Also what is TSOP? Thanks.

Here is a directory of all being offered in NC. Here is an example of one. The TSOP is the Technical Scope of Practice Performance / hands-on skills test. NREMT is going to require one for an expired cert.

Even when my job offered CEUs, I'd rather pay more to get them myself through an easy online provider. It will likely be the case that the online providers focusing on offering CEUs will be easier, though I'm not sure they'd be able to connect you with someone local for a practical skills check.
 
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Carlos Danger

Carlos Danger

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Here is a directory of all being offered in NC. Here is an example of one. The TSOP is the Technical Scope of Practice Performance / hands-on skills test. NREMT is going to require one for an expired cert.

Even when my job offered CEUs, I'd rather pay more to get them myself through an easy online provider. It will likely be the case that the online providers focusing on offering CEUs will be easier, though I'm not sure they'd be able to connect you with someone local for a practical skills check.
Thanks a lot - that is very helpful.

The one paramedic program director I've talked to seemed pretty unsure what the certification process would be like for someone whose cert has been lapsed for as long as mine has, and the state website doesn't list any options for someone who has been lapsed more than 4 years. I sent an email to my regional director with my questions.

Taking a refresher course and testing again is a given and I don't even mind possibly jumping though a couple additional hoops since it's been so long, but there is no way it is worth it to me to go through an entire paramedic program again, even an abbreviated one. Even if I were willing to do that, I don't have the time.

Reinstating with the NREMT, on the other hand, looks surprisingly straightforward and reasonable, unless I am missing something. If you've been lapsed more than two years, you need to take a 60 hour refresher and the written & practical exams, and you are done. Then I could use that to get legal recognition with NC, though I think I might still need to take the NC exams if I go that route. We'll see what the NCOEMS has to say, but this route might be the way to go.
 

MMiz

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If you’re in NC I would absolutely get your 60 hrs, re-test with the NR, and be done with it.
 

yoopr

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I'm in a similar boat, only I'm thinking about renewing my MI Paramedic license after not working the road in a while due to a couple injuries. Just been working in a hospital. Probably wont be able to work the road again but I'd hate to let all my training go to waste. My license expires soon so I'm looking to just do CEUs in a hurry and then take an in person refresher course down the road if need be.

Does anyone know if I can do everything online aside from pediatric med administration? Still have my ACLS and BLS.
 
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