Are there any EMT's/Paramedics

[Tiggeroo]

My son has just decided after being in school to be a teacher that he wants to become an EMT and then a paramedic. Apparently you have to become an emt first to get sponsored into the paramedic program. He has been a lifeguard for 7 years and is highly regarded on his squad. But this is quite a change. He has struggled a bit in math and science so I'm hoping he can handle the course load.
I am concerned that if he becomes an EMT he won't get into a program for paramedics. From what I understand the pay scale for emt's is very low.
Do you like what you do? Was it difficult to get thru the paramedic program? Is it a field with opportunity and a liveable wage? My son loves the adrenaline rush of rescues but he also is pretty sensitive and will take loss hard. Any advice?

 

[Buckalew11]

emt pay here is low. Honestly, if he likes emergency medical stuff, he'll probably surprise you in how he does. Paramedic school was a long year for DH. We had a newborn and a lot going on but he did great--won "paramedic student of the year" Once your son gets his emt, he'll know more about whether it really is for him to go on. To my knowledge, no one I know had a hard time getting into paramedic school. We have a lot of local people here who do emergency medicine who were not the greatest of students when I was in school with them. The difference is they love this kind of stuff, and thank God, because someone needs to.

Another friend of mine (went to same college as DH) is a paramedic and he works in the heart cathlab at a hospital in K-ville. So, there are other possibilities out there also.

Good luck to him!!!

 

[mrsxsparrow]

My son has just decided after being in school to be a teacher that he wants to become an EMT and then a paramedic. Apparently you have to become an emt first to get sponsored into the paramedic program. He has been a lifeguard for 7 years and is highly regarded on his squad. But this is quite a change. He has struggled a bit in math and science so I'm hoping he can handle the course load.
I am concerned that if he becomes an EMT he won't get into a program for paramedics. From what I understand the pay scale for emt's is very low.
Do you like what you do? Was it difficult to get thru the paramedic program? Is it a field with opportunity and a liveable wage? My son loves the adrenaline rush of rescues but he also is pretty sensitive and will take loss hard. Any advice?

I don't have any info on EMT/paramedic stuff, but the first three years I was in school I was studying to be an English teacher, until I changed my mind and decided to go into nursing. I'm a complete mess when it comes to science and math but have been able to pull off pretty decent grades so far. I think once you know that what you're studying is something you'll actually need to know in order to do something you really want to do, you try harder/pay more attention and it becomes easier. Hopefully it will be the same for him.

 

[Tiggeroo]

From what I can see all paramedic programs require emt first. I know emt pay is low but from what I can see paramedics do ok amd are in demand. Starting pay here seems to be close to 30. Per hour.
I'm glad to hear what you said about the school work. I'm quite sure son will love it. He's a big adrenaline junky and rescues and fast decisions are what he loves about beach patrol. I was hoping if he loved it he would get thru the school work somehow. Do you have to work for a certain amount of te as an emt before getting onto the paramedic program. He's going to talk with the admissions person tomorrow. Is it typical together your emt employer to pay for paramedic school. It's quite expensive.

 

[tlbwriter]

My son loves the adrenaline rush of rescues but he also is pretty sensitive and will take loss hard. Any advice?

This may be an issue. I have a family member who did this for a while and had to quit because it was too difficult emotionally. Lots of calls involving children.

 

[golfgal]

Is he going to stay in college until he gets accepted into the paramedic program, if so, have him look into campus security at his school and see if they offer EMT training. We had students that were EMT's on our campus (school provided the coursework/training) and were employed as EMT's by the school. This would give him some hands on training while he waits. Also, we have an EMT/Paramedic that is a teacher at our high school. He also has a degree in social science so he teaches a couple US History classes each year and does EMT training as part of the career classes our high school offers. Many kids that are thinking about going into medicine take these classes and work for the local ambulance squads or at local hospitals. He is also on the sidelines for every football game as a paramedic so he gets into the games for free .

 

[Tiggeroo]

An he stay in college while he does the emt training or will that take most of his time.

 

[Agri]

My ex wanted to be a paramedic - I think he is still trying to be one.

Being a paramedic will require him to be able to calculate dosages for certain medications - mostly heart medications, IIRC. (I sat in on a lot of his classes when I was dating him). If he struggles with math and science, particularly under pressure, that is something he definitely needs to work on.

Also, it is not a job for someone who is *not* the center of calm during a crisis. You have to remain business-like and be careful of what you say, because certain phrases most people say casually can construe guilt in a lawsuit.

My ex's problem is that he would be too sympathetic to his patients. A big problem from a liability standpoint. And also just not something that inspires confidence in your patients or their family. Most people do not want their loved ones being taken care of someone who has the attitude of "Gee, I hope they'll be alright, too". They want someone who is in control of the situation and confident in what they are doing.

It should be possible for him to do a ride-along, where he can accompany the rescue squad to get an idea of what it is really like out in the field.

 

[fraggle551]

I don't have any info on EMT/paramedic stuff, but the first three years I was in school I was studying to be an English teacher, until I changed my mind and decided to go into nursing. I'm a complete mess when it comes to science and math but have been able to pull off pretty decent grades so far. I think once you know that what you're studying is something you'll actually need to know in order to do something you really want to do, you try harder/pay more attention and it becomes easier. Hopefully it will be the same for him.

That is so reassuring to me! I was studying to be a social studies teacher and just decided to go into nursing, and I am a mess in math and science also. I agree, I think when its something you really enjoy, it just is much easier. I start my CNA class Dec 20!

 

[mickeymedic]

Paramedic here! I was actually an Education major in college and ended up as a Paramedic. My roommate was an EMT and I went on a ride-along with her one night. I never turned back. I realized I loved everything about prehospital emergency medicine. I took the EMT class then got a job working as an EMT - originally to help pay for college.

I actually waited a few years before I entered the Paramedic Program. I never did finish my teaching degree, but earned a BA in Humanities. I have had many teaching opportunities within the EMS community. I actually ended up way better off than most of my friends who completed their teaching degrees. Most of them had to substitute teach for years before getting a permanent assignment. And with the current economy and budget cuts, teaching is no longer associated with job security. EMS on the other hand will only continue to be in demand - as with any healthcare fields.

Once I went the medical route, my family kept after me to go to nursing school or med school. However, I'd never dream of it. I LOVE MY JOB! The job is never the same two days in a row. I love the autonomy I have in making patient care decisions. I love having the opportunity to help people on a daily basis. I love the challenge of figuring out what is causing people's symptoms. And I love the teaching opportunities that have come my way as a result of the education classes I took while I was still an education major.

To outline the process: You have to complete the EMT training before you can go on to the Paramedic level. You also generally have to get a year of experience working as an EMT before you will be accepted into a Paramedic program. The Paramedic program in my region is a rigorous 15 month program which includes classroom sessions 2 nights per week (4 hours each) as well as weekly hospital clinicals and ambulance ride time.

The adrenaline rush is actually something we discourage - in EMS we have a saying: "Adrenaline makes you stupid." (We say this because when adrenaline floods your body, your fight or flight response kicks in. When this happens your hands shake making it difficult to perform simple tasks, your pupils dilate making it difficult to focus on details, and your ability to think clearly becomes impaired.)

Has your son had any exposure to ambulance work? Has he volunteered with an ambulance company or fire department? If not, I highly recommend he find somewhere to do a ride-along to make sure that it is what he really wants to do. If he still wants to do it - I say go for it!

When I first started out as an EMT my parents were certain that it was a phase and I would outgrow it. 15 years later, I am still in love with my job. The pay isn't as high as police officers or firefighters, but the pay isn't that bad. There is also generally lots of opportunity for overtime - which is where the real money is made.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me.

 

[pls5286]

I started as a First Responder at 16 in school. Went to EMT school a month after grad, was in emt school for 3 months was the last class to take state boards in GA in 94, worked on a truck for a year as an EMT, went to paramedic school in 96, while working FT. School was 2 nights a week w some weekends. I was one of the last groups to take state boards in Ga as well before GA went to National Registry.

EMS is a high stress field and is not for everyone. You have to be able to turn off your emotions and remain compasionate at the same time. You get high stress calls at times. I will not deny it. Kids, family members, mass casualty incidents, car accidents with entrapment to name a few. As far as medications go, cardiac arrest dossages are pretty cut and dry, you give half, none or all. It's some of your otther cardiac meds and your drips that you have to know like 2 mg/kg. So converting lbs-kg. But you learn a quick trick lick take half the weight and subract 10%. There are field guides to help but you have to pass the boards first.

hrs- most county run service are 24 on 48 off allowing you to pick up a second job for extra money. Most ems people work at least two jobs.

any thing else you want to know, just ask.

 

[mickeymedic]

An he stay in college while he does the emt training or will that take most of his time.

I took the EMT class in addition to a full-time class load because the EMT class was not offered at my college. If the EMT class is offered by the college he is attending, he could take it as part of his regular class load.

 

[Tiggeroo]

he believes he will be able to do beach patrol in the summer with this job. His hours on bp can be flexible. He can also work in the capacity of medic or emt on bp. i believe his is very calm under pressure. When i say he gets a rush i don't think it's negative. He enjoys making decisions under pressure and is able to do so clearly. It is why he is assigned the busiest beach here. What would the pay scale be? Is it an income level that would permit him to buy a modest home and support a family if needed, even if there were a small second income? Can he stay in college while doing the emt program and while working as an emt can he complete his general studies requirements so that when he gets into the paramedic program those are already done?
i will talk to him about setting up a ride-along. Is it ok with insurance regs?

 

[dawson5]

My brother is a paramedic with a local fire department. He is back in school right now for nursing. He has been a paramedic for over 20 years. He had to make a decision to either look for another job or go to school to be a fireman. He decided to go back for nursing, he feels he's too old to go for nurse practitioner. Apparently, they will only hire paramedics that are firemen now. If budget cuts come along, they will keep the man who can fill two positions. Not all departments are doing this, but the one he's been with for the past 10+ years is. (He is in Lakewood, OH area if that helps.)

 

[Buckalew11]

My brother is a paramedic with a local fire department. He is back in school right now for nursing. He has been a paramedic for over 20 years. He had to make a decision to either look for another job or go to school to be a fireman. He decided to go back for nursing, he feels he's too old to go for nurse practitioner. Apparently, they will only hire paramedics that are firemen now. If budget cuts come along, they will keep the man who can fill two positions. Not all departments are doing this, but the one he's been with for the past 10+ years is. (He is in Lakewood, OH area if that helps.)

That same thing happened here within our city fire department. All the FF's had to do at least first responder and then EMT. Only a few became paramedics. I always felt sorry for those FFs, some were older and had been FFs for years. Just because you wanted to be a FF does not mean you wanted to be an EMT. My DH loves the medical part of it but it is not for everyone.

Now we also have an ambulance service (not a city service though) and they are not required to be FFs.

Tiggeroo....no way to tell payscale for different areas and setups.

My DH took a FF job in Knoxville and made a whopping 20,000 a year. *faint* yet the same job in a neighboring smaller city paid almost double. Go to ORNL and that same job's pay goes way, way up.