EMT Basic Internship/hours in field

[Audrey Lynn]

Hey Everyone,

I have a dilemma and was wondering if anyone had any advice since I am completely new to this field.

I recently acquired my EMT basic cert. through NR and state, one more step for the paramedic program at my local college. This current semester I planned on taking the Basic Internship with the local ambulance company here and was informed today that the internship itself is in danger of being dropped due to lack of enrollment. I was planning on these 80 hours to count towards my experience for the application. Our IV course is at the end of Feb. and plan on taking PHTLS in March. However, I still would like to accumulate more knowledge in the pre-hospital field.

Our local fire dept. is out of the question for volunteer work. I don't have the required fire courses. Nor did I plan on taking any. I have Spring and Summer semester to take advantage of. I have thought of applying part-time for the ambulance service, but do see they require B/+.

So, my questions are this:

Do I have any other options for field time?
Do all pre-hospital agencies require B/+?
Would Continuing Ed count or be viewed as comparable?
What would be your plan of action in my situation and why?

Thank you in advance.

Best Regards,
Audrey

 

[Maine iac]

Was an internship portion not offered as part of your Basic? I was under the understanding that a few shifts either in the ER or on an ambulance were "required" to pass most classes.

I would keep tabs on that ambulance internship as you wrote in the OP that it was in danger of not reaching enrollment goals- not that it was being cancelled.

Are you already enrolled in a Paramedic program?

 

[Tigger]

Not quite sure what you mean by B/+, I'm assuming you mean finishing the EMT class (note non-Colorado people that the EMT-B/IV thing is unique to CO). If so, I'd say that most employers require it before hire. I don't know of any that don't, though they could exist.

What is the "basic ambulance" internship?

 

[Audrey Lynn]

For our EMT Basic program we did complete a total of 20 hours in the field (8 ER, 12 Local amb. company). Our community college also offers an 80 hour EMT Basic internship (with the local ambulance company) upon gaining NR and state certification. This is the internship I am referring to.

The reason I was looking to take this is to gain hours in the field without working for a company because our paramedic program starts in fall and I would prefer not to work during this time. If I have to I will, but I have the opportunity to focus school right now and would like to take full advantage while I can.

Ive only heard of EMT-B/+ or "B Plus" for IV cert and EMT status. EMT-B/IV makes sense, too.

Any ideas?

 

[Maine iac]

Well it sounds like it is a little out of your hands.... if the internship happens to work out do it and just try to learn what you can. But if things don't work out, I wouldn't be too worried, 80 hours is only like 7 shifts. For the medic program you will be doing typically a minimum of 360 in a hospital and 360hrs in an ambulance.

From my experience there is a huge difference between the two (basic/paramedic) in terms of thought processes and skill level. I went straight from my basic to my medic (passed the NREMT in december and started P school in January), and quite frankly I am glad I didn't waste much time doing hours and hours on my basic ride time.

If you are in school right now I would be inclined to say focus on that and get good grades/whatnot then focus on the paramedic stuff when the time comes.