Paramedic Programs

EMSANTHEM

EMSANTHEM

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hello emtlife!

I'm currently a EMT-B out of CT.

Next september i will be attending comm.college for my paramedic certification.
i heard though the "grape vine" that in the future medics may require an associates or higher! The program i'm attending is a certificate one year program with a summer internship.

Any thoughts to that?

Thanks EMSANTHEM:cool:
 
Yeah. Make sure you get a degree :) Many community college programs allow the Paramedic certificate program to become an AS, with another year of classes. Check into it.
 
My question is mainly do i NEED to go for associates? I will be working full time which is why the certificate program works good, it covers all the certifications as well plus the added internship
 
If you want to ever be more than a medic, yes. Also, some services pay more for a degree (like mine). Also, you'll have a base to build on when you decide to return to school.
 
So you're saying for paramedic it's not needed but for growth into a differnt career like (RN for ex.) it would be needed to bridge okay. as for me my goal is to become a paramedic and work.
 
This is a good question. From what I understand, "at least here in California" starting in Dec 2012, after completing all the prerequsites to the program, all paramedic schools from that point on will have to be a minimum of 2 years in length in order to receive accreditation.

Can someone please expand on this. Is this one of the steps involved to make the transition of the Paramedic profession to an ALL degree program instead of both certification programs and degree programs?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
EMSANTHEM said:
So you're saying for paramedic it's not needed but for growth into a differnt career like (RN for ex.) it would be needed to bridge okay. as for me my goal is to become a paramedic and work.
Click to expand...

Not just a progression into a higher licensure but also for growth in EMS (supervisor/management/etc).
 
n7lxi said:
If you want to ever be more than a medic, yes. Also, some services pay more for a degree (like mine). Also, you'll have a base to build on when you decide to return to school.
Click to expand...


I'd like to add to this in saying that with an associates, it makes you a more well-rounded medic, at least in my opinion. From my understanding, you're basic one year medic program just barely brushes over anatomy and physiology, and maybe a little chemistry. With an associates you'll get a much better understanding of A&P, chemistry, and other core elements...most importantly, writing. I'm not judging you on your grammar, but I see a lot of medics that just can't write a readable chart to save their lives, it's a huge part of what we do, and people seem to do it very sloppily.

So, I guess I would say go for the associates, you may not NEED it, but more education is never a bad thing and it can only help make you become a better provider.
 
hold up so your saying that a paramedic who has lots of exper. one day can't get into supervisor/management positions because he holds a certificate and others certs?

Really? can others cmt. on this
 
Depends on the system you work in. Sure you can progress up in some. However, if it's between you and an equally qualified applicant, and he has the degree... Odds would not be in your favor.

Besides, it's only a year cert. Would it really be that difficult to get an extra year of classes for an associates at minimum. Especially if that extra year could make you a better provider? Extra education should be jumped at, not avoided like the plague...
 
EMSANTHEM said:
hold up so your saying that a paramedic who has lots of exper. one day can't get into supervisor/management positions because he holds a certificate and others certs?

Really? can others cmt. on this
Click to expand...

If I'm in charge of a service and I have two equally seasoned applicants and one has a degree and the other has a cert. I'm advancing the one with the degree.
 
EMSANTHEM said:
hold up so your saying that a paramedic who has lots of exper. one day can't get into supervisor/management positions because he holds a certificate and others certs?

Really? can others cmt. on this
Click to expand...

Nope, didn't say that at all. Having a degree definitely helps though.
 
Thank you

thank you everyone who commented on this thread.

Thanks for the feedback!

EMSANTHEM
 
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