Two questions?

[aceman0455]

So I did some searching around the internet and this forum and am still a little confused and was hoping for some clarification on these two topics. I'm currently an EMTB student with aspirations of being a paramedic sooner rather then later. I'm a goal oriented person who kinda likes to look up at the cliff I want to climb and go to town. So that all said I'm looking to the future and putting a goal in front of me of first becoming a paramedic then going after some extra certifications. This is where you guys can help. I've heard of CCEMTP, FP-C, CCP-C, TP-C, PNCCT, SARTECH, and Advanced Wilderness EMT. My question is … Is that list complete what else if anything is there? Also what if any of those expand your scope of practice. for reference I'm in New York State. The second question is a bit of confusion on my part. Are ACLS, ATLS, ITLS (and it's many different parts like pediatrics, advanced, etc), PALS, PEPPS, and PHTLS just things taught during Paramedic class/ school or are they also post certification/degree training? Sorry for the lengthy question on my first post I've been lurking for a while I finally just made an account and asked. Thanx ahead of time for the read and your info.

 

[gotbeerz001]

ACLS, PALS (or PEPP) and PHTLS (or ITLS) are generally all required to work as a paramedic. The others you listed may be helpful depending on where you want your career to go, but the former are the basic foundational classes. You could get CCT qualified to work on those rigs.

 

[SavingChicagoCPR]

The list of CCEMT-P, FP-C, etc really changes from location to location. For a nationwide reference, check out NREMT's website. The CCEMT-P is the highest level of paramedic in Illinois. Although I don't know of any 911 ambulances that are CC. Getting a certification beyond Paramedic really just depends on what you want to do long term. Getting a FP-C is pointless if you only want to work on a fire department ambulance.

A lot of paramedic programs include ACLS, ITLS, PEPP & PALS. I would wait until you're done with medic school to take any advanced courses. EMTB is the foundation for everything, then paramedic is an advanced training and the certifications are really just like ConEd. They really just reinforce things you've already learned and give you additional tools.