How to Become an Ambulance Paramedic

An ambulance paramedic provides medical care on the scene and during transport.

An ambulance paramedic provides on-the-scene medical care and care to patients while they are being transported to a medical facility. At the scene, the paramedic will determine if the patient needs on-site assistance, which he can provide, or if the patient must be immediately transported to a medical facility for more advanced care. A certified paramedic is at the top of the emergency services provider career ladder. In fact, someone must first be certified at the emergency medical technician-basic level before he can begin ambulance paramedic training. An ambulance paramedic will have a career where almost every day will bring a different experience.

Instructions

1. 

   Complete basic EMT training first.

   Take EMT-basic training, which usually includes a basic skills course and a basic laboratory course. Students learn basic airway, shock and bleeding management techniques. Many community colleges offer the program, which usually takes one semester to complete. There are also specialized EMT schools. To find an accredited school, contact your state's department of health or emergency services or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

   National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
   6610 Busch Boulevard
   Columbus, OH 43229
   614-888-4484
   www.nremt.org

2. 

   Students must complete hundreds of hours of classroom training.

   Complete paramedic classroom training. Most students can finish in about three to five semesters. Classroom training varies by state, but most programs include a strong science curriculum with courses like cardiology, pharmacology and anatomy. The classroom portion of paramedic training focuses on skills certified paramedics are allowed to do but in most states EMT-basics are not, such as inserting an IV, administering an endotracheal tube, pain medications and sedatives.
   The classroom training hours vary by school. For example, at the National College of Technical Instruction, students must complete over 500 hours of classroom training. To find a training program that is approved in the state you wish to work in, contact that state's department of emergency services or health department or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

3. 

   Students must complete an externship.

   Complete an externship. Almost every ambulance paramedic school will require that you complete an externship. The number of externship hours varies by state and school, but most require a few hundred hours. For example, at the Oregon Institute of Technology at Portland students complete 480 hours in an externship. The externship can be completed in a hospital setting such as an emergency room or operating room, or students can train in an ambulance under the supervision of certified ambulance paramedics. The externship gives the students experience working with patients in a real-life setting.

4. 

   Pass the national exam.

   Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, NREMT, examination. The computer-based exam can be taken once the student proves he has completed both the EMT-basic courses and the EMT-paramedic courses. Some states also require that you pass the state-specific exam. To find out if you state requires this, check with the state's department of emergency services.

5. 

   Paramedics must continue to take classes throughout their career.

   Take continuing education courses. After you have passed the national exam and become a certified ambulance paramedic you can begin working. However, every two or three years, depending on the state you are working in, you must renew your license. To do this, you have to prove that you have taken continuing education courses. States require a different number of hours. For example, California requires almost 50. Courses can be taken at any state-approved place, which usually includes hospitals, firehouses and emergency medical technician schools. Paramedics can choose from a list of approved courses which could include childbirth, head traumas or neonatal care.

Tips & Warnings

• Work as an EMT-basic for a few months before entering paramedic school. This may even be required by the paramedic school you want to attend, but it will also give you an idea of what the career is like as you'll be working side-by-side with a certified paramedic.

• If possible, get your paramedic training in the same state you want to work because states have different requirements for the number of training hours that have to be completed.

References

• National College of Technical Instruction
• Oregon Institute of Technology at Portland: Paramedic Training
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

Resources

• United States Department of Labor Statistics: Paramedic