Flight Medic Path
- Thread starter mikepud
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akflightmedic
Forum Deputy Chief
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Worked as a paramedic in a busy 911 service for almost 10 years, got instructor certs in everything possible, took part time jobs in hospital working in trauma center, PCU and ICU to get more knowledge. Took flight physiology course, took CCEMT-P, became FP-C....then started applying.
Was willing to move anywhere to fly, took remote dangerous gig in the Arctic. Got experience...led to next flight medic job in better climate, led to international flight medic gig...which led to remote medicine in war zones...which led to owning/operating own business.
Moral of the story...get a lot of education (degree), a lot of experience, instructor certs, keep applying and be willing to go anywhere to get that proverbial foot in the door.
Anything less than a college degree, < 5 years as a paramedic, none of the courses above...you simply will not be competitive in the flight medic market.
Was willing to move anywhere to fly, took remote dangerous gig in the Arctic. Got experience...led to next flight medic job in better climate, led to international flight medic gig...which led to remote medicine in war zones...which led to owning/operating own business.
Moral of the story...get a lot of education (degree), a lot of experience, instructor certs, keep applying and be willing to go anywhere to get that proverbial foot in the door.
Anything less than a college degree, < 5 years as a paramedic, none of the courses above...you simply will not be competitive in the flight medic market.
firecoins
IFT Puppet
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might as well become an MD in emergency medicine or trauma surgery.
Associates or Bachelors.
Re: Flight med path
Most of the replies are what I had expected, except for the instructor cards as well as the degree. I guess the thing I am still not understanding is what degree specifically? I know there are flight nurses, but thought they were seprate from the medics. Is EMT-P considered a degree? I didn't think so. So what other degrees are related to Trauma? Or would help someone gain a spot on a flight crew?
Most of the replies are what I had expected, except for the instructor cards as well as the degree. I guess the thing I am still not understanding is what degree specifically? I know there are flight nurses, but thought they were seprate from the medics. Is EMT-P considered a degree? I didn't think so. So what other degrees are related to Trauma? Or would help someone gain a spot on a flight crew?
You can obtain your Associates, Bachelor's and Master's degree in Emergency Health Services.
medic417
The Truth Provider
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Card course instructors are a plus because many flight services do training for area services and hospitals. Some free some small charge but either way it helps keep their name out in front of the people deciding which service to call when they need flight. Also by theory if you teach it you should have ability to perform it as well.
MSDeltaFlt
RRT/NRP
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Not only should you get as many instructor certs as possible and a degree with FP-C & CCP-C, you should also get as much ICU knowledge/experience as you can get. Because a flight medic needs to be ICU minded. If he/she isn't able to fully comprehend all the ins and outs of all pt care in the ICU setting (advanced ventilator setting, PA lines, IABP, pts on multiple pressies/dilators/anti-arrythmics/isotonic solutions/hypertonic solutions all at different doses for different reasons), then that medic is nothing more than the nurse's attache' and self-loading baggage.
Medics who aren't able to wrap their brains around all of that shouldn't apply in the first place.
MSDeltaFlt
RRT/NRP
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I'm a seasoned Respiratory Therapist, worked in a burn center, and I worked for a busy 911 service that housed a CVICU. Asked questions, helped out, got busy, stayed busy. Networked like madman.
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This point can't be stressed enough, in whatever it is you choose to do.
Are Flight Medics / RNs aircrew? i.e. Do they actually have an active role in the safe handling of the aircraft, or are they more along the lines of self loading cargo?
I'm not having a dig, I'm just curious. I've under-slung loads, marshaled them and even taken part in an RPG assisted hard-landing... and there always seemed to be some fella in the back with a headset giving the pilot the old "down 5, down 4, tail's clear".
Does anyone know if HEMS Medics / RNs fulfill this role? Or is it up to the Pilots?
I'm not having a dig, I'm just curious. I've under-slung loads, marshaled them and even taken part in an RPG assisted hard-landing... and there always seemed to be some fella in the back with a headset giving the pilot the old "down 5, down 4, tail's clear".
Does anyone know if HEMS Medics / RNs fulfill this role? Or is it up to the Pilots?
MSDeltaFlt
RRT/NRP
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They're not "self loading baggage" per se, but not officially air crew by FAA.
They do assist on landings on scene flights especially at night. However, if they were they would be restricted to the same duty hours by the FAA. Flight medics/RN's are allowed to work more than 12 hr shifts. Some work 24. Some even 48's. Though there are arguments against those. But that's another thread.
They do assist on landings on scene flights especially at night. However, if they were they would be restricted to the same duty hours by the FAA. Flight medics/RN's are allowed to work more than 12 hr shifts. Some work 24. Some even 48's. Though there are arguments against those. But that's another thread.