How to Become a Flight Medic in California

A flight medic is a paramedic who specializes in administering emergency critical care onboard an air ambulance or helicopter. When a person is caught in an unfortunate situation and needs to be immediately transported to a hospital by helicopter or other aircraft, a flight medic on board is one of the professionals who deliver the first round of critical care that will likely save the patient's life. Flight paramedics begin their training as EMTs, then become paramedics, and then become certified as flight medics.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Become a certified EMT. Before you can be accepted into a paramedic training program, you need to be a certified EMT. There are several EMT training programs across the state of California. See the link below for an EMT/paramedic training program near you.

2. Complete paramedic training. Most training programs require at least one year of full-time schooling. After completing your training ,you must also become a nationally registered EMT-Paramedic by passing the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) written and practical tests. See a link below on how to become nationally registered.

3. Become a licensed paramedic. After completing your training you must become a licensed paramedic in the state of California before you are allowed to practice. There are several bureaucratic requirements, such as background and criminal checks that have to be met in addition to the educational requirements. There is a link below to the specific requirements stipulated by the California EMS authorities. Licensing fees cost between $180 and $230, depending on individual circumstances.

4. Get a job as a flight medic in a flight medicine program to specifically practice your paramedic skills in a flight environment. In resources below is a link to the various flight medicine programs in California. In addition, flight medics can become Certified Flight Paramedics (FC-P) by passing the FC-P exam administered by the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC) - (http://www.certifiedflightparamedic.org). Certification costs between $175 and $329, depending on individual circumstances, and needs to be renewed every four years.

5. Maintain your continuing education and license requirements. Paramedics in California are required to maintain their license by renewing it every two years and meeting at least 48 hours of continued education requirements within the same time period. There is a link below to approved continued education training programs in California. Flight medics can also enhance their professional development by getting involved with the International Association of Flight Paramedics (www.flightparamedic.org).

Resources

• EMT and Paramedic Training Programs in California
• How to Become a Nationally Registered EMT/Paramedic
• Specific Requirements for Paramedic Licensure in California
• Flight Medicine Programs in California
• California-Approved Paramedic Continued Education Training Programs

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