EMT-b -> paramedic

[BrandonBassett]

Hi,
First off im new to the fourms i searched them but i coulnd't find a post about this because im in kind of a unique situation. I have been exposed and active in the fire service since age 14 as an explorer and the past year recieved my Certified First Responder. With this certification it allows me to use my skills on all EMS calls my department responds to i have been doing this for about 4 or 5 months. This year i am taking a vocational EMS class during highschool(Eastern Monroe Career Center) and will graduate in June as an EMT-B. During the summer i will be a cleared EMT with the department. IF i ride from august to january do you think it would be out of proportion to attend paramedic class? The first semester would be soley liberal arts classes in NY our colleges dont start the actual paramedic program till January.
Thanks
Brandon:unsure:

 

[Anjel]

Yup go right to medic. Just be prepared not to get a job till you are 21.

But you may find somewhere.

 

[Handsome Robb]

Yup go right to medic. Just be prepared not to get a job till you are 21.

But you may find somewhere.

What she said. Go straight to medic. I did intermediate which helped because I had some of the skills down before I started medic school (read: intubation, IV/IO/IM/SQ injections, med math, basic ECG monitoring/interp), one less thing to study. If you can take them through your school I'd look into a medical terminology class, bio, A&P, chem and a pharmacology class, it'll make school a lot easier. I wish I would have taken more of these classes, contemplating a BS in Bio, kinda late for that now though.

There are services out there that will hire you, I would think your best bet is a non-driver IFT position.

How old are you? You said you started your explorer program at 14 and have been acting as a first responder for 5-6 months. Unless I suck at math that makes you 15? I might be reading it way wrong though.

Most if not all medic programs require you to be 18. I'm young so I understand where your at. Got my Basic at 18, Intermediate at 21, now in medic school at a recent 22 years old (as of monday ) I have no ambulance experience until recently when I scored a job as a PT Intermediate. It's up to the person but experience is not a necessity for medic school, it all comes down to your comfort level. Other people will tell you otherwise this is just my opinion. The only experience I had prior to medic school was professional ski patrol and beach lifeguarding on the busiest beach in my area so I was exposed to a few medical emergencies but mostly with BLS protocols and only a few months of quasi-ILS care.

FWIW I run circles around a few of the guys who have worked in the field in class. Bad habits are hard to break. /ego boost

Fair warning: Paramedic school is like drinking out of a 2 1/2 inch fire hose.

 

[BrandonBassett]

I am 17 right now I turn 18 in april I'm a senior in highschool so I'm eligible to take it.

 

[fast65]

There are a few different stands on this topic, and it seems to be a pretty hot issue. Some say you should have experience as an EMT-B before attending medic school, and others will say that it's fine to go straight from basic to medic. I am of the latter opinion. As long as you feel that you can handle the work load of medic school, and realize that you must buckle down and study as hard as possible, then you shouldn't have an issue going to straight to medic school.

I personally went straight from EMT-B to paramedic school, and there are plenty of others that have as well. Some have turned out to be great providers *cough* Linuss *cough*, and others have been less than stellar. It all depends on the person, and how dedicated they are to this field. Just make sure you're studying your A&P, medical terminology, chemistry, and other courses of curriculum that have already been mentioned. As, be forewarned that paramedic school will consume any sort of social life you may have had (if it doesn't, you're doing it wrong ).

 

[terrible one]

Just get your A&P, Chem, Micro and a math/english class before you go.

 

[BrandonBassett]

Thanks guys for all your advice I know the director of paramedicine at my community college and I'm having a meeting with him on Monday to decide on what I want to do....any more opinons would be greatly appreciated as I Have to enroll in about 3 or 4 weeks.
Thanks
Brandon