Hi all :)

SarahT

SarahT

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Hi all,

I'm Sarah. :) I've been reading these forums for a few weeks now. You all are an informative bunch. Thanks for all the good information that has been shared here. There was a lot to read. ;)

Currently, I'm working as a Pharmacy Technician. I have my PTCE coming up in March, so excited about that. I'm hoping a steady background of pharmacology is a plus when going for what you want and starting EMT school. Lately, I've had tons of questions. My pharmacist probably wants to wring my neck for asking so many and making him have to think. He explained a few things and gave me 'The Pharmacological Basics of Therapeutics' and told me to read it a bit. That book is 2,148 pages long. :wacko: Enough personal, here's the professional:

My sister and I are starting EMT classes in April. I can't wait. I'm dying to learn. The days are going so slow... Why can't I get a book right now? lol. The internet, other than for forums, has nothing that I've found really in depth about being an EMT. I want interactive learning! Flashcards! 911 audio! So far I've only found one really good site. Here's the link for people who are looking for something like that as well. http://www.emtb.com/9e/

I do have a few questions (when does a newbie not :P) regarding my long term career goals. Although this is directed at certain fields, everyone please feel free to answer. Any knowledge is good knowledge.

--Flight Paramedics--

This job fascinates me. It is challenging, exciting, different every day, stressful, completely awesome. I know this is a long ways down the road, but this is what I want to do. So here's those questions ...

-How did you decide that this is what you wanted to do?

-If you could go back, would you do something different?

-Is there more extensive training in this field? Besides learning how elevation affects the human body.

-Is the pay decent? Hours long?

-This job seems to me like it would be hard to get or find companies that hire Flight Paramedics. Was finding yours easy? Near where you lived or had to travel?

Thanks ahead of time for all the info.

Sarah
 
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First of all :) :) :) Welcome! :) :) :)

Second of all, my heart goes out to you, I was a pharmacy tech for 8 years. I couldn't get out of there fast enough by the end of it.

I am not a flight medic but I've looked into it extensively because I would love to that. But it's VERY hard to get it where I live.

-How did you decide that this is what you wanted to do? It's a long kinda odd story it's around here somewhere, husbands a cop, had to call EMS while we were out to dinner and the little light bulb lit up over my head.

-If you could go back, would you do something different? Yes I would have taken my EMS course right out of high school instead of majoring in pre pharmacy.

-Is there more extensive training in this field? Besides learning how elevation affects the human body. Oh yes, here you have to be an RN and a paramedic just to treat and not fly. They usually hire ex military pilots who are medics also. The nurse I talked to here said she has about 3 degrees and it took her 7 years to get the position.

-Is the pay decent? Hours long? Same hours as we have 24on, 48 off. They are stationed at the airport, it's the same set up we have.

-This job seems to me like it would be hard to get or find companies that hire Flight Paramedics. Was finding yours easy? Near where you lived or had to travel? No traveling for it but it's hard to get. They really want extensively experienced people.



I hope it helped, sorry it's not a more positive outlook, but its definitely possible if your willing to put your time in.

Good Luck and hope you stick around!
 
Thanks for the info Wingnut :) I did not know you had to be an RN to do that. I started classes for RN when I got out of High School, but could never pass the algebra and chemistry. :( I was hoping to do EMT (2 years) Paramedic (4 years) and then later on Flight Paramedic. Maybe 6 years down the road it wont be so hard. Who knows...

Thanks again for the info!
 
Welcome I am not a flight medic but am an EMT and a nursing student. I would like to do flight sometime down the line.

-How did you decide that this is what you wanted to do?
My mother sparked my intrest during Junior High. Did research on it and feel in love with it.

-If you could go back, would you do something different?
Yes, I would do it the same way that I jumped in to it.

-Is there more extensive training in this field? Besides learning how elevation affects the human body.
As for the training I know they like to have people that have been working in ER or ICU for 3-5 years. But I'm not sure what else you have to do.

-Is the pay decent? Hours long?
I'm guessing that wingnut is right about the hours being about the same as what we work. I believe our flight medics and nurses are at the hospital and can often be found working in the ER.

This job seems to me like it would be hard to get or find companies that hire Flight Paramedics. Was finding yours easy? Near where you lived or had to travel?
From where I live it would take an hour to get to the hospital to work. Extensive traveling probley not.

I hope this helps I know alot of it is the same as wingnut but I think that is how you will find most companies or hospitals that hire flight medics
 
Thanks Emtbuff for the answers the the help. I really appreciate it!

On a sad note, I think I'm gonna have to change goals, lol. Flight Paramedic seems to have a lot of schooling and experience. :sad:
 
Welcome!!!
 
Welcome to EMTlife -We put the Fun in Dysfunction.

Around the country, the crew of an aeromedcal EMS unit varies... the "Standard" crew is 1 Pilot, 1 Paramedic, and 1 RN. Some crews replace one of the providers with a respiratory therapist, or a Nurse Practitioner / Phys. Asst. Sometimes, there are 3 providers. Sometimes there are 2 pilots.

I don't know of any services using an EMT or EMT-I on a helicopter as a provider.

Also... a flight medic or RN is usually a VERY experienced medic or RN - 5+ years in critical care enviroments. The competition is tough for these spots, because they are seen as "fun" or "easy" jobs....
 
Howdy!

I made a nice step up here in Texas by getting into Care Flite. This company offers all sides of the spectrum, they fly 5 helicopters, 20 911 trucks, and 25 transport trucks in the DFW area. They always hire from within first when it comes to flight positions. I came in at a great time as an EMT-B in paramedic school, as you get your medic, then you will be moved into 911 (right now I do transports in the Dallas opps) when you have about 3 yrs exp there, they will send you through CC training, another year in the field with that cert. You will then be tested for a full time position in the air. The really cool thing is when you work for them you can be a 3rd rider on the bird whenever you want! Here the pay is great and the shifts are cake, They have nice quarters and are very well taken care of, we all are, weather you are air or ground. In whatever path you take to get there, (the sky is the limit);)
 
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