EMT-I vs.PARAMEDIC

[i5adam8]

Hi,I just completed basic school. I have always wanted to
be a medic,and planned on attending a medic program,but my instructor
told me I should take EMT-I class,and work as a specialist for a while first.
He said the only way he would recommend going from basic to medic
would be if the person has worked full time on an ALS unit for a couple
years with a medic.
I have spoke to other EMS personal about this,and
they told me that if I wanna go for medic,then I shoud do it
and not"waste my my time and money" on the specialist class.
My instructor is a very good teacher,who is rather intellegent,
well respected in the EMS community and not to mention a
very nice guy.So I am very confused about this,I do want to
become a medic,but I don't know which route I should take
to get there.

 

[Ridryder911]

I understand his philosophy and would agree in a "perfect world". Unfortunately, EMS is not set up to allow us to give field time and exposure to "climb the ladder". Why work and get lower level experience as well as not getting the pay, seniority, that you probably needs as well.

Again, it would be great.. but in the real world, not practical.

Think of it this way...

Compare those fellow those students that complete the whole program they will be your medic, while you are their EMT/I. Both of you will be obtaining the same experience time, but they will be obtaining a higher salary, as well moving up the career ladder where you will be behind them. For the same amount of time you will have the same time experience, but theirs will count as a medic .. hence more promotions and higher pay and more security.

Again, yes it would be nice.. but, in the real world one will get experience, no matter what level you are.

R/r 911

 

[medicdan]

Welcome to EMTLife, we have had long and hard conversations about this in the past-- try searching around.
I have been thinking a lot about this recently-- I have a similar dilemma-- obviously medic education is ideal, but at what cost. There is a lot of lot of discussion about the need for experience before medic education-- but from what I understand, success as a medic depends not just on the student and their success , but also on the instructor and class-- I am inclined to believe your basic instructor.
Take a look at this discussion about -Intermediate education v. medic education:
http://www.emtlife.com/showthread.php?t=5395

Good Luck!

 

[Summit]

please use the search function

 

[BossyCow]

It's really not a either/or question. Too many variables as you will see if you search this site for some of the discussion that has already taken place on this topic.

What is your age? What are your career goals? What is the set up in the area in which you plan to practice? Are you willing to move to another area in order to work for a different system?

You need to look at what medic school entails, what it costs and can you afford the time and financial investment of it. After that, will you be able to find work as a medic or are most of the agencies where you live associated with fire departments? What is the pay for medics where you are at? Will the pay enable you to pay back your tuition bills in this lifetime? If you research it right, you will answer your own question.

 

[ErinCooley]

In Georgia, you have to be a basic to go into paramedic school, but you can't ride most ambulances as a B. Here, mostly I's and medics ride together.

Im in school now. I originally planned on testing at the basic level, doing the I class (which would be good for nothing more than learning IV's and combitubes in my case) then going straight into medic school.

I've decided to not do that. I will now be testing at the I level, working for a while then going into medic school next spring (March/April-ish 09)

 

[Mercy4Angels]

ha..in jersey all there is is basic to medic. we dont have "i's"

 

[rgnoon]

Our Is are Instructors.

 

[ErinCooley]

I completely missed the point of the question....

K, I now know what youre asking. Everyone I know has basically said to work, nobody is going to hire you as a medic straight out of school because you lack the experience.

Also, I'm already panicking about the NREMT-I, I've heard the P is SOOO hard.

 

[bstone]

I went to Intermediate school as I simply don't have the time to go to medic school. I would LOVE to go to medic school, however, as I value the medics for their abilities, scope, etc. I happily defer to medics.

I think becoming an Intermediate has helped me a great deal with my abilities to treat my patients on the BLS level and has prepared me in ways that I will be truly grateful for once I begin med school.

 

[Guardian]

Hi,I just completed basic school. I have always wanted to
be a medic,and planned on attending a medic program,but my instructor
told me I should take EMT-I class,and work as a specialist for a while first.
He said the only way he would recommend going from basic to medic
would be if the person has worked full time on an ALS unit for a couple
years with a medic.
I have spoke to other EMS personal about this,and
they told me that if I wanna go for medic,then I shoud do it
and not"waste my my time and money" on the specialist class.
My instructor is a very good teacher,who is rather intellegent,
well respected in the EMS community and not to mention a
very nice guy.So I am very confused about this,I do want to
become a medic,but I don't know which route I should take
to get there.

Why does everyone shorten paramedic to medic??? Anyway, that's another topic. If you want to be a paramedic, then be a paramedic. Don't listen to all the old farts who were emts for 10 years before they finally gathered up enough courage to start a paramedic course. That's my advice.

 

[Guardian]

I completely missed the point of the question....

K, I now know what youre asking. Everyone I know has basically said to work, nobody is going to hire you as a medic straight out of school because you lack the experience.

Also, I'm already panicking about the NREMT-I, I've heard the P is SOOO hard.

I thought "the P" was easy. But then again, I gave it the respect it deserved. I treated it like going to college full time. Not like some hobby to be completed in my free time between full time work and family duties.

 

[ErinCooley]

I thought "the P" was easy. But then again, I gave it the respect it deserved. I treated it like going to college full time. Not like some hobby to be completed in my free time between full time work and family duties.

Did I offend you? That was not my intent. Would you please tell me what I said wrong so that one day I don't offend my paramedic partner in the same way?.?.