Paramedics provide vital medical care to those in need, with the highest level of EMT training. They work in ambulances, helicopters, and emergency rooms, and must be physically fit. Training starts in the classroom and can lead to certification as a paramedic, with a wide range of career opportunities available.
Emergency Medical Technicians (Paramedics) and Paramedics are a vital part of providing medical care to people in need. Paramedics are at the highest level of EMT training and are capable of providing a wide range of medical interventions designed to stabilize patients while they are being taken to a hospital. Paramedics work in ambulances, helicopters and in emergency rooms to help provide care. Although becoming a paramedic requires extensive training, depending on the level you plan to certify at, the job is very rewarding.
Individuals interested in becoming a paramedic should be aware that, as emergency services operate on 24-hour schedules, they may encounter irregular hours. The work is varied, but it can also be very emotionally draining, especially in areas with high incidents of injury. Competition for paramedic positions varies, but tends to be most intense in urban areas, which pay their paramedic staff better.
To be a paramedic, you must be physically fit. Paramedics often extract patients from physically demanding situations and must be able to lift and carry a substantial amount of weight. In addition to the patient’s weight, paramedics also carry heavy bags of equipment to treat patients. If you’re a paramedic in an ambulance, you’ll also have shifts driving the vehicle, which requires special safety training.
Becoming a paramedic starts with training. Standards for training vary from state to state, but generally start with EMT-1, which is first responder training. EMT-1s can provide limited patient interventions, receive vital signs, and provide basic life support, including oxygen administration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). EMT-1s cannot administer injected drugs. EMT-2 and EMT-3 can offer more life support services in addition to offering injectable and oral medications. A paramedic, or EMT-4, has the highest level of training.
Paramedics are able to provide advanced life support, interpret diagnostic equipment, use medical devices that assist with breathing, and use stomach suction equipment. The variety of drugs they can use under the direction of a doctor is wider. Becoming a paramedic reflects an advanced level of training and field work.
EMT training begins in the classroom, where courses range from a few weeks for EMT-1 to full two-year programs for some paramedics. In the classroom, students learn about anatomy and physiology. They also learn about how to intervene in medical emergencies, what kind of drugs they can use to help patients, and how to handle a wide variety of social situations that can accompany medical emergencies. After a certain period of classroom training, trainees are allowed to ride in an ambulance, where they observe and assist with patient care.
After training, an exam is administered. A successful pass results in certification as a paramedic. Paramedics can work in a wide variety of environments, or they can go back to school for additional training. Some paramedics decide to pursue careers as doctors, nurses or hospital supervisors. The range of opportunities for certified paramedics is wide, and jobs are available across the country. A career as a paramedic, as in many fields of healthcare, can be very rewarding.
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