- Understand that paramedic education can last anywhere from six months to two years. Six-month programs are becoming few and far between as more programs move toward national standards that require more education and training for paramedics.
- Choose a school that works for your schedule. Hospitals, community colleges, ambulance companies and fire departments can offer paramedic classes. Some classes are in the morning; others at night. You may be attending class, ride-time and clinical training at the same time, or the three may be separated.
- Save your pennies. The schooling you need to be a paramedic is not cheap. If you are lucky, you will find a fire department or ambulance service that will pick up some or all of the bill for you, if you work for them.
- Become an EMT first. An EMT and a paramedic are not the same thing, and almost all paramedic programs require that you become an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) before applying to paramedic school. An EMT class takes a few months and teaches you basic emergency first aid.
- Consider getting a degree with your schooling. Many paramedic schools, especially those run by community colleges, allow you to get an associate's degree in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) while you train.
- Be prepared to learn. The schooling you need to be a paramedic does not end when you receive your license. Depending on what state you work in, you are required to attend a certain number of continuing-education courses every month in order to renew your license. You also undergo regular training or refresher courses at the ambulance service or fire department that employs you.
