Career Development?

ParkMedic

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I have been mulling this question over for a few days now. I am completely new to EMS and in the coming years I am sure will have numerous questions for you. By nature I’m a humble person. I’m at the age where I only have a limited amount of time to achieve my goals and there are many. I’ve been described as an overachiever. I would say that just means motivated. Some have said my goals are unrealistic. I cry BS and try to disprove that. It’s the Marine in me. Not looking for therapy here, only advice. My questions are, what is the timetable for attaining the alphabet soup of certifications? Is it possible to work two jobs (EMS/NPS) while striving towards my ultimate gig of EMT-P perhaps HEMS. Currently, I just volunteer at a local EMS unit while working FT in in a national park, and there are some possibilities in parks. Is it possible to gain skills with the limited hours as a vol, or will I have to devote myself FT to just working in EMS. Knowledge is power they say, but in essence its enlightenment. Enlighten me please. Danke.
 

NomadicMedic

I know a guy who knows a guy.
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No alphabet soup certs til you need them. After (or during) medic school. Untill you're a medic, they're mostly useless and you won't have the education neeed to really understand the reasoning behind the science.

And plenty of people work 2 jobs all the time. As for the experience, that depends on your service volume.
 

DesertMedic66

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You are going to need to come up with a list of the alphabet classes you are looking to take because there are a ton of classes.

Here are a few: ACLS, PALS, NRP, PEPP, ATLS, PHTLS, ITLS, GEMS, TCCC, GEMS, BLS, AHDR, AMLS, EPC, FEMA courses, CCP, FP-C, etc.

Courses are offered by various companies.
 

VentMonkey

Family Guy
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Again, one thing at a time, age is merely a number unless it creates a physical handicap.
And like @NomadicMedic said- paramedic first, then work on all of the "alphabet soup" certs.

I don't know that you're crazy for thinking, nor too old for the HEMS industry, but just know now that it is a highly competitive one.
 

StCEMT

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@VentMonkey, this is more up your alley, but how do HEMS services look at rural backgrounds? The basic line I've heard is 3-5 years of busy urban experience before they will seriously consider an applicant.
 

VentMonkey

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Several factors apply, as I'm sure you're well aware of. If you actually look at most credible HEMS programs they're CAMTS accredited. TMK, their hiring requirements (i.e., experience and the like) mirror what CAMTS "suggests"; the guidelines should be available publicly here:

[URL]http://www.camts.org/[/URL]

Will a program not hire a 5-10 rural-only paramedic? Probably not, but I would imagine it depends on their sell, background, intellect, and all around experience.

As far as the 3-5 year minimum in a "busy system", more often than not this translates into the paramedics abilities to think critically with regards to their standard ALS calls almost blindly. Now add in the flight physiology, advanced training, the need to work with a seasoned critical care provider in their flight nurse, etc.

Having to not babysit a paramedic who will function independently under high stress in a truly defining "confined space situation" is what most of these programs need to see, know, and/ or sense.

They can teach you their culture, the flight portions, and the like. They can't teach (nor should they be expected to) you how to be a smooth, efficient dynamic paramedic.

This is something often learned in a dynamic setting such as urban America over 3-5 years, if not, in rural America often over twice the amount based on shear volume and general stress-test reasonings/ frequencies.

You just need to convey that to the panel on the other side of that table.
 

Qulevrius

Nationally Certified Wannabe
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@VentMonkey, this is more up your alley, but how do HEMS services look at rural backgrounds? The basic line I've heard is 3-5 years of busy urban experience before they will seriously consider an applicant.

Not impersonating the guru, but this is how I see (and understand it):

You will be indefinitely better off with a nursing degree AND a P-card. And you already have the latter. If you get an ADN/BSN, do 2-3 years in a high acuity unit (ER/ICU) while doing EMS P/T, your chances of getting a nomex suit will be much better than average. Not to mention all the stuff that you'll be actually able to do.
 

DesertMedic66

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Not impersonating the guru, but this is how I see (and understand it):

You will be indefinitely better off with a nursing degree AND a P-card. And you already have the latter. If you get an ADN/BSN, do 2-3 years in a high acuity unit (ER/ICU) while doing EMS P/T, your chances of getting a nomex suit will be much better than average. Not to mention all the stuff that you'll be actually able to do.
But at that point you are no longer or should you really apply as a flight medic. A flight nurse position would be more suiting to the education level and experience level.
 

Qulevrius

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But at that point you are no longer or should you really apply as a flight medic. A flight nurse position would be more suiting to the education level and experience level.

Hence the 'nomex suit' and not a specific position. Plus, most of the respectable HEMS are crosstraining their crews and having a paramedic background, as a flight nurse, is awesomesauce.
 

VentMonkey

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I still feel there's some value, and something to be said for the bare-bones paramedic who worked their way up top-to-bottom via ground (pun intended). But alas, perhaps a little bit of bias even by my own standards.
 
OP
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ParkMedic

ParkMedic

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Thanks for all the replies. HEMS would be the last rung on the ladder in what I'm envisioning in my "new" career. Before I can even begin thinking of that, I need a P card and all the requisite "alphabets." August I start my AEMT class, followed by paramedic instruction. Right now, I'm most concerned with developing my skills and critical thinking. Sorry if my initial post made you think otherwise. A BSN at this point is just not feasible for me. Thanks again. Be safe.
 

Qulevrius

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I still feel there's some value, and something to be said for the bare-bones paramedic who worked their way up top-to-bottom via ground (pun intended). But alas, perhaps a little bit of bias even by my own standards.

Yeah, because no one should have it easy. Jokes aside though, it's individual. Factors like age or scholastic background are huge, and anyone older than 30 knows how difficult it gets. Both mentally and physically. The padawan is still young, maybe he'll listen to people who should've done it a long time ago.


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VentMonkey

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@ParkMedic I tried nursing prerequisites, but it just wasn't for me. I don't want to be a nurse, a doctor, a fireman, a cop, or a PA. I like being a paramedic, and I will do this for as long that I physically can.

It took me nearly a decade to become a flight paramedic. This isn't always the case, but I'm extremely proud of the way it turned out because it feels every bit as earned as I'd imagined it would be, good luck.
 

StCEMT

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Nursing isn't really high on my radar @Qulevrius . Plan has tentatively been PA school and then keeping some loose involvement in EMS, but that is a lot further down the road than is worth worrying about. Don't worry though, I have a general direction I am wandering in.
 

Qulevrius

Nationally Certified Wannabe
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The reason i keep mentioning nursing is because it's a rather quick and inexpensive way to up the ante.


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DrParasite

The fire extinguisher is not just for show
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No alphabet soup certs til you need them. After (or during) medic school. Untill you're a medic, they're mostly useless and you won't have the education neeed to really understand the reasoning behind the science.
Mostly, but not all.

PHTLS is a 90% BLS level course, and I would recommend taking it.

AMLS is a nice course once you have some experience and have seen some sick people, and are an ambitious EMT (and have read about more than what you will find in your textbook). It's designed for paramedics, but EMTs can attend.

I happen to like HazMat classes, and recommend https://teex.org/documentsresources...-Awareness-For-Emergency-First-Responders.pdf, especially if the course is still Proboard accredited as a HazMat Awareness course.

PEPP and PEARS were ok, but I haven't taken them in years (but they are good for pediatric stuff). Don't hunt them down, but if one is offered near you, and it works with your schedule, go for it.

The certification might look good on the resume, but unless you have the background in college level A&P and pathophisiology to understand the content, you will be wasting your time.
 
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