EMT-P to LP

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Howdy guys,
I have been certified as an EMT-Paramedic in Texas for 3 years now. I have recently obtained my instructor certification and am finding it more and more difficult to obtain a job as an EMS instructor. Most of the positions require an AAS in EMS or a BS, both of which I do not have. I am wondering if any of yall might have some suggestions as how to transition from an EMT-P to an LP. I do have 60+ college hours and was wondering if I could challenge the AAS final for paramedic?? Anyone??
 
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Most of the advice you are going to get here is people telling you to go back to school and get your BS at a minimum, if not a masters.

Could you explain what an LP is? Since we are all spread out a lot of us don't know what the abbreviations from other states mean.
 
Aidey said:
Most of the advice you are going to get here is people telling you to go back to school and get your BS at a minimum, if not a masters. .
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You make it sound like a bad thing?

I am not form Texas, but I think LP might be "licenced paramedic."
I have no idea on what makes this somehow different from a certified paramedic exept in name though.
 
Veneficus said:
You make it sound like a bad thing?
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It's actually rather obnoxious when people want real, practical advice and their thread ends up turning into a debate because the education fanatics keep insisting their way is the only way. Yes, education is good, but we all have to get there somehow and there is more than one way to do that.
 
Aidey said:
It's actually rather obnoxious when people want real, practical advice and their thread ends up turning into a debate because the education fanatics keep insisting their way is the only way. Yes, education is good, but we all have to get there somehow and there is more than one way to do that.
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Not really. That is part of the problem within EMS. They assume there are multiple approved ways but in reality there are very few approved ways; even though EMS still attempts to be different.

LP = Licensed Paramedic. Texas is one of the few states that recognizes the difference of a education levels. One can be a Paramedic but if you do not have an degree you will be certified and if you have an associate degree you can obtain the license level.

There is much more in professionalism the title license than just semantics.

Just because you have 60+ hours does not ensure one to have enough transferable hours for a degree. You must have met the general education level and then focused studies (dependent upon your major) to meet the requirements.

I suggest contacting your local college to see what degree you might be able to transfer.

Most teaching institutions now will increasing their standards as the accreditation process gets closer. Many are requiring the minimum to be an associate degree with some preferring at least a Baccalaureate and even Masters degree.

R/r 911
 
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Is there a difference in the practice of Certified Paramedics over Licensed medics? SOP? Or is the difference mainly related to credentialing for hiring/teaching?
 
Ridryder911 said:
Just because you have 60+ hours does not ensure one to have enough transferable hours for a degree. You must have met the general education level and then focused studies (dependent upon your major) to meet the requirements.
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Many university philosophy departmnets offer a BA degree in "liberal studies," which has considerable flexibility in courses. But with 60 credit hours, you are probably only about 1/2 there. I have never heard of a AS in liberal studies though.

There are many alternative ways to educational credentials. On line courses, CLEP tests, academic credit for work experience. I have noticed it is easier (considerably less work) to take a class than to get credit for work/life experience, PM for specifics.

As thankfully the profession advances and education becomes more valuable than "the other ways," even if you "challege" something it may not allow you to advance past it or easily transfer. Since none of us know where the future will take us, go and get a degree, it opens up many doors.

One of the reasons I am so pro education is because I was one of the people who insisted on trying "other ways." learn from my mistakes, education is the better way, for you, your patients, your job prospects, and for the profession.
 
emt.dan said:
Is there a difference in the practice of Certified Paramedics over Licensed medics? SOP? Or is the difference mainly related to credentialing for hiring/teaching?
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At this time most services and protocols do not differentiate. But for future advancement it is a good option.
 
Veneficus said:
Many university philosophy departmnets offer a BA degree in "liberal studies," which has considerable flexibility in courses. But with 60 credit hours, you are probably only about 1/2 there. I have never heard of a AS in liberal studies though.

There are many alternative ways to educational credentials. On line courses, CLEP tests, academic credit for work experience. I have noticed it is easier (considerably less work) to take a class than to get credit for work/life experience, PM for specifics.

As thankfully the profession advances and education becomes more valuable than "the other ways," even if you "challenge" something it may not allow you to advance past it or easily transfer. Since none of us know where the future will take us, go and get a degree, it opens up many doors.

One of the reasons I am so pro education is because I was one of the people who insisted on trying "other ways." learn from my mistakes, education is the better way, for you, your patients, your job prospects, and for the profession.
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The other option is if the institution they attended to obtain their Paramedic has an agreement to allow transfer of their Paramedic certification into college hours. Some (if granted) will allow a portion to be transferred. Remember, the institution as well wants to be sure to gain profit as well, so only a small portion will be honored and a certain number has to be obtained within the institution itself.

There are several that resides in TX. to make a better clarification of the differences in Paramedic. From what I understood is that is similar to the ADN and BSN levels. You want to increase professionally, you better have the letters.

Just remember that many are trying to "beef up" their staffing credentials. So "no matter how many years" or "how sharp" one perceives themselves; we will start seeing more and more of these requirements.

R/r 911
 
Ridryder911 said:
From what I understood is that is similar to the ADN and BSN levels. You want to increase professionally, you better have the letters.

Just remember that many are trying to "beef up" their staffing credentials. So "no matter how many years" or "how sharp" one perceives themselves; we will start seeing more and more of these requirements.

R/r 911
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hopefully it will catch on everywhere very quickly.
 
No, you cannot just "challenge" yourself into a degree. It would be worthless if you could, wouldn't it? It doesn't matter if you have 6000 credit hours, you're going to have to take some classes. Colleges don't make money selling diplomas. They make money selling education. Therefore, you usually have to acquire at least 15 semester hours or more of credits from their institution in order to receive a degree there. If the college you have your credit hours from also offers an AAS in EMS, then that is your best bet, as there will probably only be a very few other courses you need for the degree. That, of course, is assuming that the credits you have are relevant to an EMS degree (A&P, Psych, Sociology, and whatever else they require). If all your hours are in fire science or criminal justice or basketweaving, then you are probably over a year of full time study from getting that degree.

Degree requirements vary greatly from institution to institution. The better ones require all the same support courses that nursing and respiratory therapy require. Others are just lame diploma mills requiring very little more than A&P, psych, and general electives. And even the schools that give you credit for your paramedic training will usually require a couple of other EMS courses in addition, such as mass casualty, critical care, management, advanced assessment, or something of that nature. Again, you're not likely to transfer those hours and your paramedic patch into an AAS in less than a year.

What area are you in? I am pretty familiar with a number of schools in Texas and may be able to offer you some specific advice.
 
emt.dan said:
Is there a difference in the practice of Certified Paramedics over Licensed medics? SOP? Or is the difference mainly related to credentialing for hiring/teaching?
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Many services do offer a financial incentive, however for the most part it is an educational thing. About 9 years ago when they started the LP credential, they had some big plans to take paramedicine to the "next level". However, that development is slow in coming. In the meantime, it can offer a few extra pennies and also allow one to rest at night knowing they got a decent associate's level education and not just some certificate from an accelerated medic program.

Most respectable educational institutions will require a degree to teach; as they should. Why would any student want an instructor teaching an associates program that he/she never even finished???????
 
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