Paramedic clinicals-Q's from an Aussie

[Stew]

Hi guys,
Well the ball has started rolling, I'm actually enrolled in a paramedic course which starts at the end of the month, with the aim to gain an equivalent qualification in the USA. It'll take until March next year before any clinical rotations start taking place but I've got a question regarding these.

Who in a USA EMS organisation (fire or private) would be the appropriate person to contact regarding setting up a clinical rotation? Is there generally a specific section within departments dedicated to handling these requests or is it handled by the department's own education officers?

The service I work for in Australia we would refer somebody to the officer in charge of a station for 'ride-a-longs' and anything education related to the regional staff development unit (in-service education).

Thanks for the help guys, if any of the above statements sound a little ambiguous please let me know and I'll try to explain my 'Aussie' a little bit better.

 

[Shishkabob]

Many of the bigger agencies have a person titled "Clinical Coordinator" or "Education Coordinator" who, aside from scheduling students, also schedules CEs for employees, and sending employees to various places to keep skills sharp.

 

[joeshmoe]

Doesnt the school your taking your medic class with arrange all that?

If it's anything like my EMT class, we were given a list of ambulance companies and Emergency Departments they had a clinical arrangement with. We signed up for a clinical rotation online, at least a week in advance.

 

[Shishkabob]

Doesnt the school your taking your medic class with arrange all that?

If it's anything like my EMT class, we were given a list of ambulance companies and Emergency Departments they had a clinical arrangement with. We signed up for a clinical rotation online, at least a week in advance.

He's talking about doing it in a different country.

 

[joeshmoe]

Ok I misunderstood, I thought he was taking his paramedic class in the US.

 

[Stew]

Thanks for that Linuss, I was thinking the same thing but wasn't sure if there was a change of title when you cross that really big ocean. but it would seem not a lot changes at all.

You're both somewhat correct. The program is run out of Massachusetts, however if you want to complete clinical rotations outside of the State you've got to get a verbal agreement from the provider then the course coordinator goes from there.
I'd be more than happy to complete these in MA however personal reasons I would like a chance to do these elsewhere. Plus isn't MA in March going to be cold as _____!!

 

[joeshmoe]

Plus isn't MA in March going to be cold as _____!!

Come on now. I did my clinicals November thru January, in Northern Michigan! Just make sure you bring along a hat and coat, and maybe wear some long underwear and you'll be fine, good training. Might see some interesting snowmobile versus ___ calls, or get to take part in a vehicle extrication when it's 10 below(-25c).

March will be spring anyway, shouldnt be too bad.

 

[Stew]

I may be from a part of Australia that prides itself on being the Sunshine state...

I have to say I was in the SF bay area in late Feb and the weather was great!