Fast track Paramedic school?

I understand the impulse to "get there" as I feel it very strongly having gotten into EMS late in my life. But at least in my case I am trying very hard to supress it. While I understand how hard managing the financial aspects of school are, Im willing to bet you would be happier finding a program you really liked and felt would prepare you for being a Paramedic. I looked into some quicker (though not fast track per se) programs for a while, but after starting just recently on a 911 squad, I just could not see making the jump to Paramedic without being very sure of the education I was getting.

Best of luck from another not yet Paramedic Student!
 
EMT007 said:
UCLA's paramedic program (aka Daniel Freeman Paramedic School) is a 9 month program split into 3 months of class time, 3 months of hospital internship, and 3 months of field internship.

For all the crap that 9 month programs get on this site, UCLA's is a great school that produces very competent medics. I've had several friends go through Freeman. They are also the designated school for LAFD, SMFD and I believe LACoFD so the vast majority of their classes are reserved for FD spots. Its extremely difficult to get in as a non-FD-sponsored student, so good luck markusemt! Definitely take it if you get in!
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Um, yea. The fact that they are the chosen school for LACoFD says a whole lot about them...
 
Well, my main point there was that a lot of their class is taken up by FD students, so its an accomplishment to get in otherwise. But if you consider that the FDs switched to Freeman because their pass rates were so far above PTI's....
 
markusemt said:
Is there a fast track paramedic school anywhere in the country?

I have my EMT-B and would like to get my medic license. The only problem is I cannot spend 1 to 2 years without getting paid which most of the medic schools here in California expect. I know I have to do a 3 to 6 month clinical, but that wouldn’t be a problem.

I read about EMT programs which are 4 weeks so I wonder if there is something similar for medics. I would appreciate any information.
Thanks:)
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There is one in Indiana...it lasts for like 5 months and costs over 10 thousand dollars...I personally dont think that I would take an accelerated program over a regular one...
 
I know of one thats 10 weeks long plus clinical time. Scary aint it.
 
There are several around that are 3 months with sleepovers on an ALS engine for part of their ride time.
 
I guess if it was full time and with sleepovers 3 months might not be unreasonable. It still seems fast to me, but I tend to be overly cautious about learning new things and it would probably do me good to be forced to learn more quickly.

Because of this discussion I started looking at some schools like this, but my Crew chief has pretty much convinced me to stay BLS for a year, even though I know a lot of people think it is unecessary.

In any event, I probably could not afford to be full time anyhow.
 
SeeNoMore said:
I guess if it was full time and with sleepovers 3 months might not be unreasonable. It still seems fast to me, but I tend to be overly cautious about learning new things and it would probably do me good to be forced to learn more quickly.

Because of this discussion I started looking at some schools like this, but my Crew chief has pretty much convinced me to stay BLS for a year, even though I know a lot of people think it is unecessary.

In any event, I probably could not afford to be full time anyhow.
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All they do is teach the test.
 
i am sure you are right Medic417. Actually I am most likely to attend an 18 month school and not go the shorter route. It is very tempting though! It's not so much that I am impatient with BLS, and in fact believe the extended time as a student will do me good. I am just worried that I will continue to have difficulty fidning steady work/or busy volunteer oppertunities as an EMT-B. At least where I live, I get the impression Medics have a much easier time finding work. I really want to become a skilled EMS providor before I am too old to have a career of any appreciable length!
 
Paramedic Schools

I have taught in all sorts of EMS education programs, from a 2 year Associate Degree program that I developed, an online program, and am now at a community college in AZ. Our program is three semesters long, with a total of 680 classroom hours. Classes are Monday and Tuesday from 0800-1700. In addition, there are 550 hours of clinical and internship experiences. We have 100% pass rate on the NREMT.

I do not recommend any program with less than 500 hours didactic training. It is simply impossible to include all the topics and information in less than that. At 680 hours, the pressures are great to cover everything. I would prefer at least 100 more.

So it's not the number of months, it's the hours devoted that count. I don't recommend any program where you go to class 40 hours a week. I was trained that way, and at the end of the day one has no idea what was presented at the beginning. There is inadequate time to prepare and soak up what has been presented.

There is an excellent online program in Texas that has very high NREMT pass rates. It's very affordable, and it has many options for doing clinicals and internships. It is a high quality/high performance program. It has many cooperative clinical sites, but I'm not sure about CA since it tends not to recognize anything that exists outside its borders. Check with the CA regulators before you decide to go online. If you're interested in knowing about that program, write me at wegandy@aol.com and I'll give you the information.

Regardless of what kind of program you go to, when you graduate and pass your NREMT you will only have earned a license to learn. Paramedicine is vastly different from EMT Basic, not only in skills, which you can learn easily, but in the depth of knowledge and critical thinking required to give good patient care. Be prepared for a life of learning. I've been a paramedic for 30 years, and I still marvel at how little I know.

Gene Gandy, JD, NREMT-P
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ
 
It is frustrating that you spend so much time and money on becoming an EMT/ Medic/ phlebotomy-certified/ all the other various fees involved... to make so little money in the end. EMS is way underpaid for what it involves.

Still, don't forget that there's a high rate of litigiousness in EMS. Don't be careless in rushing through your education. You'll make up for it with your career and penny you have if you screw up and someone decides to take you to court over it.
 
Maya said:
It is frustrating that you spend so much time and money on becoming an EMT/ Medic/ phlebotomy-certified/ all the other various fees involved... to make so little money in the end. EMS is way underpaid for what it involves.
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That is a bizarre statement considering this is under a Fast Track thead.

EMTs do not need a phlebotomy cert unless they work in a hospital or clinic. Essentially, it doesn't matter that you have an EMT cert, you must still meet the requirements of the job you are applying for and hospitals may require more than first-aid.

With the exception of a couple of states that require a two year degree, there are only the minimum number of hours that must be obtained which is not all that much for either the EMT or Paramedic.

You consider other health care professions are at the very least a two year degree with many preferring a Bachelors or Masters degree, a few hundred hours is not much. As well, other professions also require CEUs as well as ACLS, PALS, NRP, Rapid Response and Code team mandatories, yearly or quarterly competencies, technology and med inservices, patient reviews and a whole lot of other training that could easily reach at additional 300 - 400 hours extra besides one's regularly scheduled shifts. And, heaven forbid you should join a Specialty transport or care team such as Neo/Pedi, Flight or ECMO while employed at that hospital. You will not only be required to have the additional college education and specialty education/training as well as still maintaining the about minimum just to function at minimum standards.

Some of the mandatory education the hospital will pick up but much of it will be on your own since it is part of being a licensed professional which comes with responsibilities. I can easily spend $3000 - $5000/year out of my pocket in addition to what the hospital provides to maintain the required education and that which enhances my knowledge in my chosen profession be it on a helicopter as a Paramedic (or RRT) or in the hospital as an RRT which will also include transport and/or Specialty teams.

And still with all of my experience, education and degrees, I still manage to learn something almost every day and I understand that I only know a fraction of what is out there to learn. Medicine is truly an exciting profession.

So one has the choice to do just the bare minimum or one can choose to accept the challenges that the profession offers and do more to provide a better standard for quality patient care.
 
VentMedic said:
So one has the choice to do just the bare minimum or one can choose to accept the challenges that the profession offers and do more to provide a better standard for quality patient care.
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Unfortunately, this is what a majority of those entering EMS or many of those in EMS are composed of. Anyone and yes anyone that chooses the later such as rushed or abbreviated/short cut courses do when they enter such programs.

I am surprised EMS get the salary they do. Seriously, again manicurist requires more hours of training and beauticians schooling is longer. We have a right to complain?

R/r 911
 
That was my point, actually. I have a Bachelor's Degree from a top school in the UK. I've fulfilled all of the prerequisites for Med School. Paid $2000 for EMT school, plus the hours put in. Now I can't even find an EMT job that'll pay $10 an hour. Then I'm looking at another $2000 (possibly) for Phlebotomy certs, so I can hope to find a slightly better paying job in a hospital, eventually, while I put in many unpaid volunteer hours in the ER. (meanwhile, unable to afford my cost of living and going into debt). Then another year for paramedic school, which will be another $8,000 - $10,000 and a full year of minimal income potential, to make just slightly more than I would as an EMT.

Add to that, the risks involved in this field -- potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogens, possibility of assault, or injury/death by MVP at highway accidents, potential for back-injury lifting heavy patients, potentially litigious clients. Then the added stress of working in EMS, odd hours.

I'm saying that it doesn't make sense to me how little workers in EMS get paid. It barely covers the cost of living. In that sense, I can absolutely understand where the author of this post is coming from. Nonetheless, I wouldn't risk rushing through my schooling at the cost of my education.
 
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I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, I just think it's really strange because $10/ hr is pretty much impossible to live on, especially considering you could probably make more money at McDonalds with a fifth-grade education.

I'm not trying to disrespect anyone. It's the opposite, I think EMS deserves the utmost respect considering all of the sacrifices involved, which is why it baffles me that the wages are so low.
 
Maya said:
That was my point, actually. I have a Bachelor's Degree from a top school in the UK. I've fulfilled all of the prerequisites for Med School. Paid $2000 for EMT school, plus the hours put in. Now I can't even find an EMT job that'll pay $10 an hour. Then I'm looking at another $2000 (possibly) for Phlebotomy certs, so I can hope to find a slightly better paying job in a hospital, eventually, while I put in many unpaid volunteer hours in the ER. (meanwhile, unable to afford my cost of living and going into debt). Then another year for paramedic school, which will be another $8,000 - $10,000 and a full year of minimal income potential, to make just slightly more than I would as an EMT.

Add to that, the risks involved in this field -- potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogens, possibility of assault, or injury/death by MVP at highway accidents, potential for back-injury lifting heavy patients, potentially litigious clients. Then the added stress of working in EMS, odd hours.

I'm saying that it doesn't make sense to me how little workers in EMS get paid. It barely covers the cost of living. In that sense, I can absolutely understand where the author of this post is coming from. Nonetheless, I wouldn't risk rushing through my schooling at the cost of my education.
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My goodness! Why are you paying so much for these certs? Have the "mills" gotten their hooks into you?

City College or just about any community college in CA has very reasonable tuition. It is probably the cheapest college tuition anywhere in the country and is only about $20/semester credit. Most of these colleges also offer the Phlebotomy cert at a very decent price. Definitely check into doing your Paramedic at a California community/city college which will save you thousands of dollars.

Yes there might be a wait list but that can also give you opportunity to take other classes as well as seeing which of your classes transfer.

http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Health_PE/health_care_tech/pdf/PhlebotomyTechnician.pdf

$20.00 per semester unit for California residents
$17.00 for Student Health Benefit Fee for ALL students
A $75.00 materials fee must be paid at the [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]first class session [/FONT]for ALL students

Many of your disease and pathogen concerns as well as assault are part of almost every health care profession. In fact, it is more than just potential since I will usually suspect (often correctly) many serious diseases such as TB, pseudomonas, the flu and Hep C long before I get lab confirmation.

I think EMS deserves the utmost respect considering all of the sacrifices involved, which is why it baffles me that the wages are so low.
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Please read the posts about education by Rid, myself and a few others. For some, EMS is not a career or a profession but a job that is easily obtained and satisfies some childhood fantasies. Some continue to live in that chidhood fantasy and forget there is patient care involved. Unfortunately, EMS and other professions as well are viewed by their lowest common denominators. This is why other professions have strived for higher education and used that to gain their worth when it comes to reimbursement from the insurances. Meanwhile, some in EMS have more "ambulance or taxi driver" issues such as how fast their truck can go, which EMS tattoo to get for best visibility, what lights/decals for the POV and polo or T-shirt rather than concerns about patient care.
 
Costs

Paying $2000 for a phlebotomy course is insane. Go to a community college. The whole paramedic program, including books, insurance, tuition, et cetera, here in AZ where I teach is a little less than $4000. And that's for college credit courses.
 
To the OP, get your medic cert as fast as you can, and move on. This is a stepping stone job/hobbie, but not a career unless you go the fire/ems route some may not like to hear that, but it is true.

EMS will always be as cheap as the private companies can make it. Companies are all capital my friend.:rolleyes:
 
Maybe when you live in the third world of CA! There are many EMS services that are careers.
 
Thanks, VentMedic! Yeah, $2,000 is pretty insane. I paid it for the EMT class, because I was to late to get into any community colleges by then and didn't want to wait. I'm not really willing to pay that for phlebotomy though.
 
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