Emt to Paramedic
- Thread starter Alas
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firecoins
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Once your an EMT-B, find an accreditted paramedic program and enroll.
Like was said, once you're done with EMT-B enroll in the accredited paramedic program. Your situation is a little different due to your age, I would look for an associates degree program right off the bat since you will have a heck of a time finding a job before you're 21 anyway and with any luck the associates will be a requirement to be a paramedic someday.
I don't know if California requires any previous experience as a basic or if that's set by the school but in my area no field experience is required to get into the program.
I don't know if California requires any previous experience as a basic or if that's set by the school but in my area no field experience is required to get into the program.
Noctis Lucis Caelum
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Welcome to the EMTLIFE,
Your in going towards where i am heading also.
I just finished with the NREMT and getting down every paperwork.
Going to turn in my application for employment tomorrow.
First you need to become an EMT-B
Pass the NREMT and do all the paperwork
Few people do 6 months of working in the field before going into being a Paramedic. I hear the longer you work the more you learn from other medics, the more you take in and the easier medic class will be.
Depending on the company, they usually hire 21 years and older for safety
Good luck in your class!
That is assuming you will be working with a Paramedic. There is a good chance you won't be. In California, as an EMT-B, you might luck out and get on a CCT truck with an MICN (Mobile Intensive Care Nurse). But, there will be many things on those transports that you may not be ready for as an EMT-B.
Keep going to school after your EMT-B. Enroll in A&P, Pharmacology and Pathophysiology. That is what will make the Paramedic program easier since you will be well ahead of the rest. You may or may not learn alot in the field. Much of it will be what YOU put into it and not necessarily your partner.
tydek07
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Very good advice, if I could do one thing differently it would be taking an A&P course prior to medic school. The A&P course that is given by many medic schools does not scratch the service.
As for age and experience... that depends on a lot of things. I was a young medic student myself. In fact, I currently am a paramedic and am 19 years old
soon to be 20 
. I took my EMT course and got state certified when I was 17 and then when I turned 18 I got NR certified. I volunteered with a service before going into paramedic school.Good Luck! Oh, and welcome to EMTlife
Thank everyone for the very informative posts and thank you tydek07 and Noctis Lucis Caelum for the welcome. "A&P?"- Anatomy and Physiology?
Pharmacology and Pathophysiology is a great idea.
Taking everybody's advice, once i finish my EMT-b training, i'll try and apply for a job, and if i don't get in, i'll be taking the courses mentioned above, and look to complete my associates and probably find a job then. And by the way, to apply for this specific paramedic class, i'll need "3-6 months of work experience as an EMT-Basic". And question: how long after being NR certified do i have to "refresh" or retake the class?
Thanks to everyone again! I'll be sure to update everyone on my status.
Pharmacology and Pathophysiology is a great idea.
Taking everybody's advice, once i finish my EMT-b training, i'll try and apply for a job, and if i don't get in, i'll be taking the courses mentioned above, and look to complete my associates and probably find a job then. And by the way, to apply for this specific paramedic class, i'll need "3-6 months of work experience as an EMT-Basic". And question: how long after being NR certified do i have to "refresh" or retake the class?
Thanks to everyone again! I'll be sure to update everyone on my status.
tydek07
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You will need to refresh (or opt to retake the exam) every 2 years. When you get you NR card, it will have an "expiration" date on it.
If you do find a job, most services send their employees through a refresher at no cost. Now, it may not be all at one time, for instance, the service I work for does a little here and a little there throughout the year. They also offer an actual refresher course (so anyone from the "outside" can pay to attend if they wish), which is spread out in 3 months.
Take Care,
ditchdoctor1984
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I am torn on this issue:
On one hand I think the thought of going to paramedic school from EMTB, is just too big of a leap without any time in the field. If for no other reason, you need to spend some time in the field to make sure this is really what you want to do for the next 20years.
On the other hand, most careers do not ask you to go to school for a little while, work in the field for awhile, then come back to school and learn the rest. Whether you are a nurse, a lawyer, an accountant, or manager, you come to college with only fast-food / retail work experience, go to school for the alloted time, and then go to work with no experience (or limited experience).
Anybody else feel this way ?
On one hand I think the thought of going to paramedic school from EMTB, is just too big of a leap without any time in the field. If for no other reason, you need to spend some time in the field to make sure this is really what you want to do for the next 20years.
On the other hand, most careers do not ask you to go to school for a little while, work in the field for awhile, then come back to school and learn the rest. Whether you are a nurse, a lawyer, an accountant, or manager, you come to college with only fast-food / retail work experience, go to school for the alloted time, and then go to work with no experience (or limited experience).
Anybody else feel this way ?
I do agree that one needs to see if EMS is the correct path for someone.
However, EMT-B does not always give one a clear picture of the responsibilities of the Paramedic.
I believe if one does wait to enter the actual Paramedic program, they should enroll in college classes to continue their education. The "training" the EMT-B will get as an EMT-B will vary with the company they work for and who they get partnered with. If one builds a strong educational foundation, the training part go much easier.
The length of time spent on education is longer for other allied or nursing professions. The programs are also structured differently to allow for over 1200 - 2000 hours of clinical time at just the Associates and that is besides the science and core classes. Some degreed Paramedic programs are also structured this way. These programs may include a great internship setup at the end of the program in addition to the clinical time. So, one does get a decent amount of DIRECTED patient care with access to instructors for explanations during those two years. That may be a little different than working with a burnt out EMT(P) who tells you how it is according to his/her way of doing things. Shortcuts are great but only after you know and understand the full procedure.
A few years ago, some of the health professions offered the option of certifying or licensing as a lower level provider to get employment sooner. These included LVN/RN and CRTT/RRT. Unfortunately, just like the EMT, some failed to continue on to the advanced level. Later when the mimimum entry standards were raised, some were left scrambling to advance. Now, any licensed professional requiring less than a 2 year degree is barely recognized if at all.