How long does it take to become a paramedic? This question has been asked by so many people who intend to pursue a paramedic degree. If you are planning to pursue a degree in paramedic, it’s important that you know how long it takes to become one, so you can prepare yourself accordingly. In this article, we are going to see how long it takes to become a Paramedic and many other important information you need to know about the Paramedic degree program.
Who Is a Paramedic?
A paramedic is a doctor who specializes in emergency medical care. They are not medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, or physician assistants. The phrase paramedic is made up of two components. The words “para” and “medic” imply “next to” and “doctor” respectively. As a result, paramedics often collaborate with doctors, but not always physically. They can give someone life-saving treatment until they can see a doctor.
Although many EMTs become paramedics, paramedics are not Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). People who need emergency medical attention can be stabilized and transported by EMTs. In an ambulance, they can employ basic equipment. With a few exceptions, they are not allowed to perform treatments that damage the skin.
Paramedics have received additional training and are capable of providing more advanced emergency medical care. On ambulances, they can employ both simple and complex equipment. They can learn how to start intravenous lines (IVs) and manage impaired airways during their training.
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What Does a Paramedic Do?
Paramedics are members of medical emergency response teams. They work under the supervision of a doctor, who is usually not present on the premises. They can communicate with a doctor over the phone, on the radio, or through pre-written directives. Paramedics also make some patient-care decisions and manage members of their team with less expertise, such as EMTs.
Paramedic Education and Training
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as CPR certification, to begin paramedic training. To begin paramedic training in some areas, you may require an associate’s degree.
EMT certification is required for some paramedic training programs. Other criteria, such as required classes, may apply to some programs. Each curriculum is unique, as are the prerequisites for becoming a paramedic in each state. At least 1,200 hours of training are required for paramedics. Some programs might take up to 1,800 hours to complete.
After finishing the training, you must pass a state-mandated exam. This could be the paramedic exam offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). However, some states have their own examination. After completing the exam, you must apply for certification within two years.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Paramedic?
The scope and length of paramedic training courses varies, but you can usually complete your training in six months to two years.
How To Become a Paramedic
A high school diploma or a GED credential is required to work as an EMT. Before starting a postsecondary emergency medical technology program, EMTs must first obtain CPR certification. These programs span between one and two years and do not result in a diploma.
Additional training, which may include an associate’s degree in emergency care training, is required of paramedics.
Complete an EMT Basic Training
Both EMTs and paramedics must be certified in CPR. CPR training is available from organizations such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association on a regular basis.
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics must also complete a postsecondary emergency medical technology program at a community college, technical college, or university. Students learn how to examine, care for, and transport patients during these 1-2 year programs.
Following that, aspirant paramedics take a two-year associate degree in emergency medical services. These courses teach students how to give drugs, place IVs, and resuscitate patients.
Pass a State Or National Exams
State certification is required for both EMTs and paramedics. Some states have their own certification exam. However, the NREMT test is accepted in most states. You must have completed a state-approved training course within the last two years to take the exam. The NREMT exam is divided into two parts: a cognitive test and a psychomotor test. You’ll have six chances to pass the cognitive exam, and you’ll be able to reapply 15 days after obtaining your results. The psychomotor exam will be administered by a state emergency services office or an approved training site. The National Registered Paramedics test is also required for paramedics.
Complete an Advanced EMT Training
Additional training is completed by some EMTs. EMTs can’t become paramedics after doing these advanced courses. They do, however, prepare EMTs for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians’ Advanced EMT examination. Fieldwork for advanced training courses ranges from 150 to 200 hours. Internships at an emergency room and an emergency services agency are required for many curricula.
Complete a 2 Year Degree Program
Emergency care training is available through associate degree programs at community colleges, technical institutes, and universities. Physiology, advanced life-support procedures, and anatomy are usually covered in associate programs in the subject. While many states require paramedics to have a bachelor’s degree, EMTs are not required to do so.
Top Schools Offering Paramedic Programs
The following schools offer the best Paramedic degree programs. You can contact them and get more information about their programs:
A group of Seattle physicians, many of whom had served in the military, founded the University of Washington paramedic training program in the late 1960s. They realized that motivated people with only a high school diploma could be taught to do complex, physician-level medical operations with ease. The tuition fees is put at
University Of California, Los Angeles
The UCLA Paramedic Education Program is widely regarded as one of the world’s first, largest, and best paramedic programs. As a UCLA paramedic education program graduate, you will join an elite group of medical professionals that save lives and set the standard for excellence in the field.
Weber State University
The Weber State Paramedic Program provides an interdisciplinary curriculum taught by paramedics, nurses, and physicians with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The WSU paramedic program offers a time-tested mix of lectures, skills-labs, clinical, and field internships, with over 1,200 hours of education above and above the paramedic prerequisites.
For any rolling three-year period, WSU paramedic graduates have a first-time pass percentage of 98–100% on the National Registry exam. Compared to the national average of 76 percent, this figure is significantly higher. As a result, WSU graduates are in the top 5% of all paramedic students in the country, with students completing 400% more supervised endotracheal intubations than the national average.
Grady EMS serves the city of Atlanta as well as 16 counties across Georgia. Grady EMS, Grady Health System’s hospital-based emergency care component, has been delivering advanced life support and emergency ambulance services to any citizen or visitor transported within the locations they serve for 125 years, demonstrating its commitment to public service.
Grady Health System, which began with a single horse-drawn ambulance, has a 125-year history in Georgia. The Grady EMS Academy provides students with hands-on training in Georgia’s level 1 trauma facilities as well as experience with Georgia’s busiest ambulance service.
The EMS Paramedicine Program at Central Washington University has been training people in prehospital emergency medical care since 1973, and it is one of only a few baccalaureate degree-granting paramedic programs in the country that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
One of the first and only paramedicine baccalaureate programs in the country. Since 1973, schooling has considerably exceeded the required course load.
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University offers the country’s first baccalaureate paramedic program. The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. WCU is currently one of only 20 universities in the country to offer a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Care.
Students can concentrate on one of two areas: health management or science (pre-med). Paramedics, instructors, physicians, physician assistants, and EMS administrators are among options for program graduates.
Lake Area Technical College
Lake Area Technical College graduates are in high demand throughout South Dakota and beyond, thanks to their long-standing reputation for academic quality. Indeed, 98% of Lake Area Technical College graduates are employed or pursuing further education. Just six months after graduation, paramedic graduates were earning in the top 33rd percentile of paramedic earners. Applicants will learn if they have been accepted to Lake Area Technical College within one week.
University Of Pittsburg
One of the few bachelor’s degree programs in Emergency Medicine (EM) in the United States is offered at the University of Pittsburgh. Graduates of the curriculum will have a competitive advantage in EMS, health care, and graduate and professional studies.
Conclusion
You’ve now seen how long it takes to become a Paramedic. If you want to pursue a Paramedic degree program, all you have to do is contact the schools listed here and get more information about the program. The schools accept online application, meaning you can apply online and get the admission from the comfort of your home
