I can't decide! EMT-I or Paramedic?

[CoffeeInThatNebula]

Ok, here's my deal. I'm in an EMT-B class currently. We have until May. I've already been apply to volunteer rescue squads all over to try and get some experience in. My issue is that I'd like to jump into ALS training as soon as humanly possible so I can be more useful and get more into the nitty-gritty part of EMS.

So I have three choices. I live in Virginia so we have EMT-Enhanced which is the equivalent to a EMT-I/85 with a couple more allowances, EMT-Intermediate which is the same as EMT-I/99, or go through the local community college to get a 2 year paramedic degree.

Issues? I cannot find ONE EMT-E class other than some crappy $2000 accelerated thing which I refuse to do. We definitely HAVE EMT-I classes but there's such a big gap in between classes that I have no clue when the next ones with anyone will be offered. The community college I attend also just recently scrapped their EMT-I program. As far as the Paramedic program, they already have bunches of classes running so they won't even start enrolling until January.

I live in the Richmond area, EMT-Bs, from what I've been told, are basically ambulance drivers...but you have to be 21 to drive the ambulance. I'm 20. What the heck would I actually do? I want experience treating patients not "Stand back and just watch" or "Oh lift this for me kthx."

Does anyone live in this area? If they do, do you know of any sort of ALS programs that begin in the summer or fall? As you can likely tell, I'm very frustrated at this point and would be extremely disappointed to be stuck as a pack-mule for 6+ months after I get my certification for EMT-B. At the same time, if I do find an EMT-I program or whatever that starts around that time, I don't want to find it to be a waste of time. I like being able to plan things like schooling ahead of time so this very aggravating to me.

Any advice or encouragement that EMT-Bs actually do more than I've heard would be great. :sad:

 

[usafmedic45]

Just go for the paramedic credential. One can never argue with going for more education and even if it delays your plans a little because you need experience, just remember that experience is a good thing before you are shouldered with more responsibility.

Any advice or encouragement that EMT-Bs actually do more than I've heard would be great.

If you don't want to be a "pack mule" or can only view your worth based upon "what you can do, then EMS is probably not the field for you. Even paramedics in a lot of areas are glorified taxi drivers who get little respect and paltry pay.

 

[medicRob]

Ok, here's my deal. I'm in an EMT-B class currently. We have until May. I've already been apply to volunteer rescue squads all over to try and get some experience in. My issue is that I'd like to jump into ALS training as soon as humanly possible so I can be more useful and get more into the nitty-gritty part of EMS.

So I have three choices. I live in Virginia so we have EMT-Enhanced which is the equivalent to a EMT-I/85 with a couple more allowances, EMT-Intermediate which is the same as EMT-I/99, or go through the local community college to get a 2 year paramedic degree.

Issues? I cannot find ONE EMT-E class other than some crappy $2000 accelerated thing which I refuse to do. We definitely HAVE EMT-I classes but there's such a big gap in between classes that I have no clue when the next ones with anyone will be offered. The community college I attend also just recently scrapped their EMT-I program. As far as the Paramedic program, they already have bunches of classes running so they won't even start enrolling until January.

I live in the Richmond area, EMT-Bs, from what I've been told, are basically ambulance drivers...but you have to be 21 to drive the ambulance. I'm 20. What the heck would I actually do? I want experience treating patients not "Stand back and just watch" or "Oh lift this for me kthx."

Does anyone live in this area? If they do, do you know of any sort of ALS programs that begin in the summer or fall? As you can likely tell, I'm very frustrated at this point and would be extremely disappointed to be stuck as a pack-mule for 6+ months after I get my certification for EMT-B. At the same time, if I do find an EMT-I program or whatever that starts around that time, I don't want to find it to be a waste of time. I like being able to plan things like schooling ahead of time so this very aggravating to me.

Any advice or encouragement that EMT-Bs actually do more than I've heard would be great. :sad:

Paramedic. Why be an almost? Plus, EMT-I is about to go bye bye and be replaced with EMT-Advanced anyways.

 

[dixie_flatline]

Do a little more research. A lot of the community college programs require a minimum of 1 year experience as an EMT-B with at least 100 patient interactions (signed/verified by your EMS captain or equivalent), even for an EMT-I program.

There are certainly programs without those requirements, but I tend to think more highly of a program based on how stringent it's entrance requirements are.

Also, if you're 20 now you will certainly be 21+ by the time you get through any ALS program, even if you start as soon as you get your B card. Don't be in such a hurry! Learn as much as you can now and you'll be a better provider later.

edit: also would recommend the paramedic option. I'm not going for my medic simply because I am a volunteer doing this 20-40 hours per month. As stated in my other thread, that's not really enough time to be a competent medic. (sometimes I wonder if it's enough time to be a competent Basic ).

 

[fast65]

Just go for the paramedic credential. One can never argue with going for more education and even if it delays your plans a little because you need experience, just remember that experience is a good thing before you are shouldered with more responsibility.



If you don't want to be a "pack mule" or can only view your worth based upon "what you can do, then EMS is probably not the field for you. Even paramedics in a lot of areas are glorified taxi drivers who get little respect and paltry pay.

+1

You will never regret going for a higher degree of education, not to mention that your future patients will be the ones that benefit the most from it.

 

[CoffeeInThatNebula]

Yeah you're all making sense. Guess I just wanted to vent my frustrations. And actually the Paramedic program through my community college is actually from no certification at all straight to paramedic so there's no sort of pre-reqs for it. I'm actually taking a health science course in addition to my EMT class right now. As long as I take this other sort of "how to survive college" course I actually will have completed the course material for the first semester. I guess my real frustration is the fact that no one has responded to my applications yet. I just want to get into a squad soon since it's a goal of the program to have joined one by the time you get through EMT-B.

I've applied to four or five squads so far over the span of a week. I should be more patient but I'm excited...I'll just continue harassing them with phone calls asking if they got my application until then.

 

[Shishkabob]

If you want your medic, get your medic. Don't do the roundabout way, as life has a way of postponing things indefinitely.

 

[TransportJockey]

If you want your medic, get your medic. Don't do the roundabout way, as life has a way of postponing things indefinitely.

THis. Take it from an intermediate, there is not point in waiting or spending any length of time at the ILS or BLS levels.

 

[abckidsmom]

MCV has a great paramedic program that will start up again in the fall.

UVA runs an EMT-E class every year in the fall, though I agree with the others that it would be a waste of time.

RAA just lost a bunch of people to Henrico Fire's hiring process, I've heard they intend to hire a few BLS providers.

Hop in with them, learn the job, and hit the first paramedic program that you get into. JSRCC is a good program, and more flexible than most with sceduling.

Good luck!

 

[alphatrauma]

EMT-I is about to go bye bye...

^ this


Never understood why many aspired to attain (and not progress past) the Intermediate level. :sad:

That being said, EMT-Enhanced [along with Shock/Trauma and Cardiac Tech] certifications will no longer be recognized (thank goodness) by the state of Virginia as of 2012... That's next year!

my opinion: Intermediate courses still exist today, largely due to the demand of the fire services.

If you plan on running (PAID) 911 in Richmond, it WILL NOT be as an Intermediate. The General Assembly has provisioned the Richmond Ambulance Authority as the sole 911 EMS provider for the greater Richmond area, and they don't hire Intermediates as ALS providers... you are either a Basic or a (Para)Medic. If you are looking to work for a fire service or private transport (IFT), EMT-I should do the trick for you in the short term, although I do not envy those providers caught in transition when Intermediate becomes obsolete.

You do not need an Associates Degree, but I would wholeheartedly recommend it... if you have the time and resources that will allow it. At the age of 20, I would have a hard time believing that you do not have an overabundance of both.

 

[abckidsmom]

If you plan on running (PAID) 911 in Richmond, it WILL NOT be as an Intermediate. The General Assembly has provisioned the Richmond Ambulance Authority as the sole 911 EMS provider for the greater Richmond area, and they don't hire Intermediates as ALS providers... you are either a Basic or a (Para)Medic. If you are looking to work for a fire service or private transport (IFT), EMT-I should do the trick for you in the short term, although I do not envy those providers caught in transition when Intermediate becomes obsolete.

Just to help you with your facts, the City of Richmond established the Richmond Ambulance Authority, which in 2004 transitioned to having a paramedic on every ambulance that operates in the City. The volunteer squads operating within the city limits are also required to meet those minimums.

There are still plenty of BLS ambulances and ALS ambulances staffed by intermediates in the surrounding counties.

 

[46Young]

The importance of a college education can not be stressed enough. It opens up all kinds of doors. If you do the degree paramedic program, you can progress to a BA in EMS to qualify for an admin position. A lot of the gen ed classes are the same as those in an RN program. If you decide to work as a medic in the fire service, having a degree will give max out your education points for a promotional exam. Not having those points can mean the difference between #1 on the list, and # 40, where you'll never get made.

Having said that, I see that you live in or around Richmond. If you're looking for quick employment as an ALS provider, I would suggest applying to the Alexandria FD. They have single role medics, and they're hiring in Oct, says a few of their medics I run into in Alexandria hosp. You can be an I or a P. You do have to pass a CPAT, though. You can get a gig at RAA if you can in the meantime. If and when Alex hires you, just drop to per diem. Alex works a 24/48/24/96. You only have to travel twice every eight days. NVCC has an EMS AAS program. EMS classes run on a flip-flop schedule to accomodate those doing shift work. If the class runs twice a week, it may run Mon/Tues for the first, and Wed/Thu for the second. You'll never have to miss a class due to work! Also, and I would check on this, it's my understanding that if you're an EMT-I (I'm not sure if it's VA or NR, I think NR, I heard this from an Alex medic) all you have to do to upgrade to NR-P is pass the written. That sounds too easy, so I would look into it. NVCC also does the EMT-I to P upgrade, also resulting in the EMS AAS.

There you have it - choose whatever option works for you. For me, I did a 13 month medic program over three years for my RN (NY Methodist; yes, it's accredited), so that I could better support my family financially that much sooner. I'm currently working towards completing NVCC's EMS AAS myself. I chose to get the career I want, and then go back for the degree. You may decide to get the degree first. To me, neither way is right or wrong. It's a question of what best suits your personal situation and goals. Good luck either way.

Edit: The above may not be popular with the pro-education crowd, but I felt you should have all the facts. Also, I wouldn't plan on doing RAA full time as a permanent career. They use SSM. You'll get plenty of experience, but running a lot of calls and having to constantly relocate with what little downtime you have will eventually get old. I used the NYC 911 system in the same fashion - worked there for five years, got real good at my job, then moved on to greener pastures.

 

[alphatrauma]

Just to help you with your facts, the City of Richmond established the Richmond Ambulance Authority...

Actually, it was the Virginia General Assembly that established/created the Richmond Ambulance Authority... the city (Richmond) gave the Authority the franchise to provide service to the citizens.

Sources:

1991 Richmond Ambulance Authority Act

RAA site

The volunteer squads operating within the city limits are also required to meet those minimums.

I was not aware that there were volunteer ambulances operating in Richmond city limits (other than passing through).

There are still plenty of BLS ambulances and ALS ambulances staffed by intermediates in the surrounding counties.

You are absolutely right, there are plenty of ALS ambulances staffed with Intermediates, but when the music stops, many will be left without a chair... which was the point I was trying to make. If the OP (or anyone else) wants to be an Intermediate, to each his/her own.

Also, and I would check on this, it's my understanding that if you're an EMT-I (I'm not sure if it's VA or NR, I think NR, I heard this from an Alex medic) all you have to do to upgrade to NR-P is pass the written. That sounds too easy.

Last I read (currently searching for source), everyone from First Responder to Paramedic will have to complete a NR approved course and pass examination for the new levels - EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic - there will be NO grandfathering or freebies. The wild card of course, is the ability of certain individual states to "do their own thing"... who needs a cohesive national standard anyways :glare:

 

[Outbac1]

Go to P school and get the A Degree. Don't bother being an almost. (EMT-I).
Even if you have to wait till Jan to get into a P course, wait. Get a job and save your money for when you're in school. You will still have expenses when you're in school. The more money you have before you start the less you will worry about it once school is on. Worrying about money can be a big distraction when you should be studying.

 

[usafmedic45]

EMT-I is about to go bye bye and be replaced with EMT-Advanced anyways.

Changing the terminology doesn't change anything LOL

 

[medicRob]

Changing the terminology doesn't change anything LOL

I was speaking more about the decrease in the scope of practice (which will mainly affect the i/99) rather than the title.

 

[usafmedic45]

Remember that the "scope of practice" more or less is still going to be locally decided....the same sort of "this is really going to change the field!" crap was pontificated back during the leadup to the I/99 standards. When it comes to massive changes to the EMS standards, I'm very much of the "I'll believe it when it happens" sort.

 

[medicRob]

Remember that the "scope of practice" more or less is still going to be locally decided....the same sort of "this is really going to change the field!" crap was pontificated back during the leadup to the I/99 standards. When it comes to massive changes to the EMS standards, I'm very much of the "I'll believe it when it happens" sort.

Fall 2011 is when the standards take effect in TN. They will give EMT-IV 4 years to take the bridge to advanced (yes, gap analysis is complete).

What I am wondering is how they are going to address the testing since the NREMT-Advanced level test will not be out til 2013.

 

[medichopeful]

Any advice or encouragement that EMT-Bs actually do more than I've heard would be great. :sad:

With around 120 hours of training there's not really much we CAN do :sad:

 

[CANMAN]

Can't believe this thread made it to two pages. EMT-P or nothing /thread. That is like asking should I go for my CNA or RN....:glare: