Feedback on Denver Health Para Program

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Nose Hose

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Hello All!
I am starting the application process for the Denver Health medic school. I am asking for feedback on quality of education as well as some random bits such as, housing, tips on the entrance essay, what do I need to study for the entrance exam? (is it general knowledge or BLS/EMT-B material?) and any other feedback someone has on this school. From what i have researched it seems like a top notch program. Thanks in advance for your responses :-)
 
Very competitive. They will receive tons of applications. You will have to do very well on the written and oral board/interview to get their attention. they will want you to have prior EMT experience before going into their medic school. They will prefer their own EMT's before taking outsiders. Very structured/strict. They are known to be a bit harsh on the students at the beginning. Be prepared to be picked a part about everything. But they are generally known for producing very competent medics. I know several people who went through their program and are great medics, but even the graduates will tell you it's a different world in there. They are widely known for nasally intubating their drunks for whatever reason. When I see the DG medics at hospitals, they are always pleasant to me, but I have heard many people describe their general demeanor as being a bit condescending, although that has not been my experience with them. Housing/cost of living in Colorado is much higher then the majority of the country.
 
With a name like "Nose Hose" you should be a shoo in for Denver Health. Nasal tubes and 16G IVs for everyone!!!
 
chaz90 said:
With a name like "Nose Hose" you should be a shoo in for Denver Health. Nasal tubes and 16G IVs for everyone!!!
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Lulz.

It's got a good rep here. People seem to love being able to do their internships with DG, haven't heard much about the actual education component.

I did not want to do my internship in a city for the whole time which is part of the reason I didn't consider them. And the whole living an hour away.
 
Call volume wise, I would have loved to do my paramedic internship with DG. I did mine with Northglenn, which had some slower shifts. On the plus side, transport time was a little bit more reasonable. There's a lot of value in learning how to be productive 5 minutes from a hospital and 1 hour from the hospital.
 
@Nose Hose

I just saw this thread and thought id get in on it. I went through their 6 month accelerated paramedic program about 2 years ago and LOVED it! The summer consisted of 8 hour days 5 days a week and was like drinking from a fire hose. The clinical hours were great and all done at Denver Health in various departments. It is a teaching hospital so everyone is happy to help the P students as long as the student is engaged and slightly aggressive about "getting in there." The ride time with the paramedic division is an incredible experience. I think in my 500 hours of ambulance rides I wrote something like 500-600 PCRs. It was great exposure and the ability to run various calls over and over again so you begin to have that pattern recognition.

I don't remember to many specifics about the application process but know the oral board interview is key. EMT experience in a 911 setting is beyond important. With the call volume and fast paced nature of the system you really do have to be a solid BLS provider before starting the paramedic program. They are hard on the students and getting the "right" preceptor is important. Everyone does want to help the students but some are better teachers than others. Being open to different styles and receptive to "constructive" criticism is key for students to be successful. Overall it is a fantastic group of people that run the EMS education department and the students experience/success really is their top priority. I highly recommend the program for anyone that is serious about being a paramedic (and not someone who thinks " yeah I'll just try it out and see if I like it").
 
captaindepth said:
@Nose Hose

I just saw this thread and thought id get in on it. I went through their 6 month accelerated paramedic program about 2 years ago and LOVED it! The summer consisted of 8 hour days 5 days a week and was like drinking from a fire hose. The clinical hours were great and all done at Denver Health in various departments. It is a teaching hospital so everyone is happy to help the P students as long as the student is engaged and slightly aggressive about "getting in there." The ride time with the paramedic division is an incredible experience. I think in my 500 hours of ambulance rides I wrote something like 500-600 PCRs. It was great exposure and the ability to run various calls over and over again so you begin to have that pattern recognition.

I don't remember to many specifics about the application process but know the oral board interview is key. EMT experience in a 911 setting is beyond important. With the call volume and fast paced nature of the system you really do have to be a solid BLS provider before starting the paramedic program. They are hard on the students and getting the "right" preceptor is important. Everyone does want to help the students but some are better teachers than others. Being open to different styles and receptive to "constructive" criticism is key for students to be successful. Overall it is a fantastic group of people that run the EMS education department and the students experience/success really is their top priority. I highly recommend the program for anyone that is serious about being a paramedic (and not someone who thinks " yeah I'll just try it out and see if I like it").
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Thanks for your reply Cpt. Depth! I have worked full time at an all ALS service as an EMT-B for almost 2 yrs. My partners have always been medics with 5 yrs or more experience. I am planning on doing the 12 month program at DH, the 6 month one sounds brutal! I have heard the school is very regimented and strict...and they produce damn good medics. I am game for the challenge. If ya think of anything more about being accepted and/or random info about DH, let me know.
 
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