Hey guys, I am currently enrolled in Advocate Christ Emt-b program in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Once I finish I would like to advance to the paramedic program christ has. I am wondering if it would benefit me more to gain some experience and work as an emt-b for a while. However, the private ambulances around here are mainly transports, or if I should head straight into paramedic school. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations? Maybe which path you took? I plan to work for a big company in chicago once I get my medic license so I know I will need some experience. Thanks
Paramedic school
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musicmija
Forum Ride Along
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I'm doing the same thing with my schooling. It's better to go to paramedic school right off the bat.
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
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This is one of the most fiercely debated topics on the forum. I believe it's safe to say that EMT experience will teach you next to nothing medically, however, the experience you gain in EMT fundamentals will come in very handy when you're doing your first clinical ride outs on an ambulance.
Knowing how to operate the stretcher, find things in the ambulance, take a blood pressure while you're moving, get paperwork signed, all of the little things that you learn as an EMT will become ingrained, allowing you to focus on the ALS interventions and the clinical presentation that you're being graded on as a paramedic student.
So, should you work as an EMT before becoming a paramedic? That ultimately it's up to you and your paramedic program's requirements. Many successful paramedics had zero experience when they entered the basic class. But, most paramedic students with no EMS experience might tell you that it was a longer ramp up. Every preceptor I've met who has to teach BLS along with ALS finds it takes more time to get providers comfortable.
But hey, everybody's different, and I'm sure the next post will present a totally different viewpoint.
Knowing how to operate the stretcher, find things in the ambulance, take a blood pressure while you're moving, get paperwork signed, all of the little things that you learn as an EMT will become ingrained, allowing you to focus on the ALS interventions and the clinical presentation that you're being graded on as a paramedic student.
So, should you work as an EMT before becoming a paramedic? That ultimately it's up to you and your paramedic program's requirements. Many successful paramedics had zero experience when they entered the basic class. But, most paramedic students with no EMS experience might tell you that it was a longer ramp up. Every preceptor I've met who has to teach BLS along with ALS finds it takes more time to get providers comfortable.
But hey, everybody's different, and I'm sure the next post will present a totally different viewpoint.
Says who? It's more of an individual thing. Not general rule of thumb.
I would hate to be thrown on a box for the first time while a paramedic. It's a entirely new world, and you are now the lead role when crap hits he fan if you are not dual ALS. I am a basic and work with a paramedic in a busy 911 system, and seeing crap hit the fan sometimes I am glad I am not in their shoes, and these medics have been here for 8+ years, never mind being a new medic in those situations being thrown to the wolves after rideouts and clinicals. After getting a wide range of call types, I feel a lot more confident on taking the next step. Will I got to medic school? That's a different topic
Ewok Jerky
PA-C
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I can't imagine being fresh out of medic school and being partnered up with a basic fresh out of basic school. Talk about the blind leading the blind.
In general, I don't think your first time on an ambulance should be as a medic. Maybe you only need 6 weeks, maybe you need 6 months, but IN GENERAL I think most peeps would benefit from spending a little time as an EMT to get to know the industry a little. EMS operations + medicine can be overwhelming.
In general, I don't think your first time on an ambulance should be as a medic. Maybe you only need 6 weeks, maybe you need 6 months, but IN GENERAL I think most peeps would benefit from spending a little time as an EMT to get to know the industry a little. EMS operations + medicine can be overwhelming.
MackTheKnife
BSN, RN-BC, EMT-P, TCRN, CEN
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There's nothing greater than experience. Having said that, I don't know of any doctor or lawyer who got their Bachelors and waited to get experience in "whatever" before going to med or law school. Unless they had financial issues, etc. If you have the funds to go on to PM school, GO! Don't wait or hesitate.
MackTheKnife
BSN, RN-BC, EMT-P, TCRN, CEN
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Right on!
MackTheKnife
BSN, RN-BC, EMT-P, TCRN, CEN
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BTW, I am a former NREMT-P and VA EMT-P, in case anyone is wondering about my opinions here.
EMT experience is beneficial....up to a point, and that point is reached fairly quickly in my opinion, especially if all your doing is IFTs and the occasional BS call.
Still, I think you should have SOME medical experience before doing Paramedic, even if its CNA experience, tech or medical assistant, because you should be comfortable dealing with patients and have some idea how medical problems present in the real world. If you have no EMT experience then any time you get a chance play around with handling a cot and go through how you would lift and move patients with EMTs that have experience, because there is a little bit of a learning curve and you can look stupid in third rides if you dont have a clue. Still, looking stupid is not the end of the world and is something that will likely happen periodically in Paramedic school, even with a lot of EMT experience. You shouldnt have thin skin or be overly defensive(or cocky) when doing clinicals.
Still, I think you should have SOME medical experience before doing Paramedic, even if its CNA experience, tech or medical assistant, because you should be comfortable dealing with patients and have some idea how medical problems present in the real world. If you have no EMT experience then any time you get a chance play around with handling a cot and go through how you would lift and move patients with EMTs that have experience, because there is a little bit of a learning curve and you can look stupid in third rides if you dont have a clue. Still, looking stupid is not the end of the world and is something that will likely happen periodically in Paramedic school, even with a lot of EMT experience. You shouldnt have thin skin or be overly defensive(or cocky) when doing clinicals.
Angel
Paramedic
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Some preceptors won't waste their time with you if they have to teach you to be an emt and a medic.
DesertMedic66
Forum Troll
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This. My preceptor only takes students who have several years of experience as an EMT in a 911 system.
DrParasite
The fire extinguisher is not just for show
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Great statement.... let's compare a doctor who went though 4 years of undergrad, 3-4 years of med school, 1 year internship, and 3-4 years of residency (plus a fellowship depending on the areas of medicine), to a paramedic program that can be completed in less than 13 months. And lawyers, yes, I am sure you can name dozens of fresh out of law school attorneys who have their own law firm making 100,000 a year less than a year out of law school. Not like they have to be associates, then junior partners, then senior partners, then managing partners, when they operate directly under a more senior attorney.
I would work on a 911 truck for a year before paramedic school. if you can't get on a 911 truck, at least work on an ambulance for a year, so you get comfortable talking to patients, using the stretcher, and working in a moving vehicle. but as other will say, your opinion on this choice may vary.