I don't want to be an EMT-B

[jameswf]

I want to be a paramedic. I work in a job now that probably pays more than paramedics make and I deffinately make more than an EMT-B. I am prepairing to take my EMT-B class starting next month. From what I am seeing most paramedic programs require you to have 2-3 years as a basic. I know I can't live on an EMT-B salary for 2-3 years. That said I am keeping my day job. So do I go the next 5 years working 24/7 and never seeing my family? How do you make it through the requisite years? What are the best options? My thought was PRN in an ER every saturday and maybe events. I think I would like to work in the field but not sure there is any ambulance company that does PRN or single 12 hour shifts.

 

[STXmedic]

Check with your local paramedic schools. There are no schools down here (south Texas) that require you to have any experience as a basic. The only schools I've heard of that require experience typically only require 6 months to a year.

The same goes for employment options. Start calling around and asking. I'd be surprised if there were no part-time gigs around you.

 

[TB 3541]

I think you have to decide just how important becoming a paramedic is to you. Some people on this board are advocates of going straight into paramedic school after EMT-B with no field experience. That is not always possible. The local colleges in my area require proof from an employer of 1000 hrs or 6 months full time service as an EMT-B, as well as a college Anatomy & Physiology course, in order to apply for the paramedic program.

Your time investment is the most significant factor here. At Crafton Hills, where I was EMT-B certified, the EMT-B program is a 9AM-6PM class one day per week, Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, so you will have to choose which workday you will sacrifice. Their paramedic program is even more time consuming. The part-time program is 12 months long, and 3 days per week 9AM-6PM, and the full-time program is 10 months, 4 days per week.

It is also an expensive license to acquire, several thousand dollars in total, and, as you mentioned, the wages are somewhat low.

I say this stuff not to be discouraging, but rather to be transparent. If this is truly your heart's desire, and you make the sacrifices, and put forth the necessary effort, you will achieve your goals.

 

[Jambi]

Well, one way to look at the process is that you do not want to build your house on a foundation of sand.

I'm an advocate for a person having experience as an EMT prior to paramedic school, though in the spirit of disclosure, it's easy for me to say because I entered paramedic school with a considerable amount of experience as an EMT.

I've found, and this is anectdotal, that 2 years seems to be a good medium for EMT's to gain the necessary comfort level to make the transition to paramedic less stressful.

Personally, I recommend people work on his or her AA or AS and include Math, Chemistry, Full-Course Anatomy & Physiology, Mircobiology, and English/Writing...This can be done in two years while working as an EMT and will put you far ahead of your classmates knowledge-wise and really help to flatten the learning curve. It's also a good idea because of the continued push by NREMT and other stakeholders in putting more emphasis on the science and physiology of EMS.