Paramedic

[Shishkabob]

And I was about to send you those cookies, too...

 

[Oiball]

For what it's worth, I had zero EMT work experience, and went directly from completion of EMT-B to paramedic training. I was the valedictorian of my paramedic class. Of note is the fact that I am 47 years old and have had plenty of life experience in that time. Getting a medic job will probably be easier if you have EMT experience before or during your training. Your mileage may vary. Do what feels right for you.

 

[fast65]

And I was about to send you those cookies, too...

You lie!!!

I don't know how I just realized that you responded to me


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[Shishkabob]

10 days later...

 

[fast65]

Shut up, I've been busy


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[zzyzx]

Linuss, are you saying that the moment you started as a medic on your own you were Da :censored::censored::censored::censored:? With all due respect, I'm sure you're a top notch medic now, but I think you are forgetting that everyone kinda sucks when they are new to a job.

To the original poster: Like others have stated, how much experience you need depends a lot on how you learn and what your comfort level is. Generally, you need two years in a busy system running 911. Most importantly, you will be educating yourself during that time, getting to know the ALS protocols, ACLS protocols, meds, etc., not to mention furthering your general knowledge of medicine by taking classes (physiology, micro, etc.) and doing lots of reading.

If you are going to start out as a new medic working alongside an experienced medic, then you can get away with being a lot less experienced, but in most systems that I know you will be working alongside an EMT when you start out on your own. And that EMT may have even less experience than you!

 

[Handsome Robb]

To the original poster: Like others have stated, how much experience you need depends a lot on how you learn and what your comfort level is. Generally, you need two years in a busy system running 911. Most importantly, you will be educating yourself during that time, getting to know the ALS protocols, ACLS protocols, meds, etc., not to mention furthering your general knowledge of medicine by taking classes (physiology, micro, etc.) and doing lots of reading.

If you are going to start out as a new medic working alongside an experienced medic, then you can get away with being a lot less experienced, but in most systems that I know you will be working alongside an EMT when you start out on your own. And that EMT may have even less experience than you!

That's an extreme generalization. Personally I don't think you need experience as an EMT. You do a decent amount of ride time in medic school that will grant you experience. Any good system will put you through a good FTO period with an experienced medic trained in precepting new hire ALS providers.

I do agree with you on a new medic/experienced medic combo. I have already been told when I finish school and my FTO period that I will be on a dual medic truck, unless something changes and I get lucky enough to have contact with high acuity patients during my internship for school. No experience in the field but in class it is nice to be able to bounce ideas about pt care and differentials off my partner.

 

[Medic2409]

My personal experience and opinion is that at least one year of seasoning, if not more, can be very beneficial.

Yes, some can go straight through and be competent medics. HOWEVER, by and large most "straight throughs" don't have any idea how to be a good EMT first. I have personally witnessed a number of hot shot medics that don't remember to take care of the basics first. One glaring case, me and my partner arrived on scene of a full arrest. The local FD beat us, 2 members of which were working on IV/IO access while one was digging through the med box and the 4th was getting patient history when we arrived. Any guesses as to what the only EMT on scene had to start doing?

If nothing else, take some time to learn how to drive an ambulance! I can't tell you how many medics I work with that have no idea how to give a patient and a partner a smooth ride.

 

[usalsfyre]

Part of the problem is the idiotic notion that we need to separate out levels of care. If we would just go ahead and consider it all patient care we could get away from the "I'm a medic it's not my job" crap.

 

[Shishkabob]

everyone kinda sucks when they are new to a job.

Ta-da. My point exactly (in a roundabout way). You could have been an EMT for 20 years, still does not mean you will be a good medic. EMT experience does NOT equate to medic ability.


You might feel more comfortable quicker, but that doesn't mean you're more competent.

Most importantly, you will be educating yourself during that time, getting to know the ALS protocols, ACLS protocols, meds, etc., not to mention furthering your general knowledge of medicine by taking classes (physiology, micro, etc.) and doing lots of reading.

Except that's the problem. EMTs that wait learn the protocols, not the medicine. They might know that their agency gives solu-medrol to an asthmatic, but probably wont understand the whys beyond a watered down explanation from their partner or some quick Wikipedia search.