On Paramedics

Paramedics are entirely different from a nurse. But they are healthcare professionals, who are concentrated with giving pre-hospital care such as doing first aid.

But paramedics work mainly at the location of an emergency as part of an emergency  first response team. Most of the time, they are working closely with an ambulance unit, or with medical technicians before a patient outside a hospital. Paramedics have working relations with a variety of medical organizations, and their services may vary depending on the company’s system.

Their role has evolved over time along with the expansion of diversified practices, from providing basic health care to specialized medical assessments. Part of the evolution of paramedics are their involvement with the community. In some extreme cases, a paramedic is an essential part of a rescuing team, included as part of an aviation medical mission perhaps, where they would transport a patient through a chopper to receive medical attention from a nearby hospital.

In other instances, paramedics have replaced the roles of physicians, nurses and even medical technicians in rescuing patients, such as in the event of a calamity or in giving medical assistance on critical areas. Paramedics often work hand in hand with police officers, marine doctors, army engineers, or search and rescue teams. Often times they are called tactical paramedics.

A paramedic is either employed by the emergency medical arm of a municipality or a private medical organization. They could be an attachment unit with the locale’s public ambulance system, the fire department or even a community hospital. They could even volunteer on a particular project in need of medical assistance such as doing research on remote areas or an additional group of an association.

Paramedic Training Schools

A person who wants to be a paramedic must finish either a certification or a 2-year associate degree in paramedic technology. These programs are usually available at junior college and at technical schools. Typically, states have tight specifications regarding the training of paramedics, such as the number of credit hours needed to finish the training program.

The first step to choosing a paramedic school is to obtain a record of state-approved, associate’s degree and certification programs in paramedic technology. A record of accepted programs in paramedic technology can be acquired from the state in which a potential paramedic plans to work. Paramedic training degree and accreditation provide learners with a thorough background in anatomy and physiology, pre-hospital care and cardiac life support.

Students should also ensure that their system of choice includes a significant healthcare component and enables graduate students to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination. The healthcare experience includes working at medical centers and for emergency vehicle services that are associated with the community universities offering the paramedic technology training.

Clinical shifts are usually offered in the summer between the first and second years of registration. During the training, learners learn to deal with traumatic situations by managing their initial psychological responses to healthcare emergency situations. An obvious benefit to finishing a certification program in paramedic technology is the short amount of time to finish the degree program. Duration can range from one year to a year and a half. However, learners who finish an associate’s degree in paramedic technology have also finished all general education specifications, making it simpler to transfer to a 4-year school. Possible profession options include paramedic supervisor and administrative director and operations manager, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Often, a paramedic will choose to continue his or her studies and engage in a profession in nursing or another allied health area.

Top Two Jobs Nursing Graduates Can Get

Graduation means the end of painstaking formal education and the start of your professional career. Among the many courses offered in the school you choose is a degree in nursing. Now, you’ve probably been wondering what kind of jobs you will get with the Nursing education you got in college.

As a nursing graduate you would want to have a job that is closely related to healthcare. This industry has always been stable and continuously progressing. The demand for healthcare related jobs is also rising.  A career in the field of healthcare requires proper education and professional skills which a lot people don’t have. Fortunately, you got the right education and training that can qualify in this type of industry.

The healthcare industry has a wide scoop of careers that nursing graduates like yourselves can have. If you decided to practice your profession in the field of healthcare here are some of the top jobs you can have:

  1. Hospital Nurses- One of the primary workforce in hospitals are the nurses. They are the ones who assists doctors and physician in doing medical treatments to patients. Nurses are also in-charge of the patient’s recuperation when the doctors is not around. Almost every Hospitals in the world are in need of qualified nursing professionals who can provide medical skills to their institution. A hospital is the best place to build a career if you want to have a top-notch job with your nursing degree.
  2. Part of an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) – Members of an EMT are required to have healthcare related education and training. As a nursing graduate you are qualified to be a Paramedic. If you are an outgoing type of person, this type of career would be very much favorable and enjoyable to your part.

The Importance Of Paramedics

Life is the most important thing on earth. It is more precious than the most expensive jewelry in the world. That is why it is very important to take care of our health in order to live longer. People want to live longer in order to experience the beauty of life more.  Thus, we take good care of our health in order to get rid of all the sickness that might hinder us to live longer.

However, no matter how much we take care of ourselves, accidents are always lurking in the shadows. In other words, accidents are inevitable. We do not know when it will come into our lives. Fortunately, there are dedicated people who are ready to offer their help to those people who are involved in accidents.

Paramedics are literally life-savers in life-threatening situations. They are usually the first to provide emergency care to those in need. Their primary duty is to save the life of the victim. They are always available every time they are called for medical assistance and accidents. They should have fast-response and quick-thinking skills, so that the sick and injured patients may survive long enough to make it to the hospital or to a medical facility.

They are very important because they are the first medical responder to an emergency situation. In fact, they are well-trained to handle a situation that can be traumatic. Their responsibility also is to transport the patient to the hospital in a safe and efficient manner. Paramedics are also important because they notify hospitals of patient’s medical condition.  They are highly-trained individuals that are qualified to be dispatched by the emergency call centers when a certain accident occur.

Paramedics have played a big role in our society. They are those individuals who sacrifice a lot in order to help the lives of the people. They cannot see their families often because they need to prioritize their job. They do not have time for themselves. We cannot pay back the goodness and the services that paramedics offer to us. The only thing that we can give them is our full respect, that they are our modern heroes.

Considering a Paramedic Career

When selecting a job, it will be helpful to get the necessary information and details about it from individuals who have been in the profession. If you are considering a career in paramedics, there are specific things you need to know in detail so you can make an educated decision whether to take the course or not.

You will find some apparent places where you will probably find a paramedic: ambulances and fire engines are the very first things that come to mind. However, paramedics tend to be more versatile than you may think. There have been 226,500 jobs readily available for EMTs and paramedics this year, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics. EMT and paramedic job demand is anticipated to increase 33% until 2020. This shows the potential of the career. It offers good compensation especially for those who upgraded their expertise.

Don’t look at the compensation first, let’s take a look at the challenges paramedics faces on a day to day basis. Like any other career profession, paramedics have difficult moments as well. They are often assigned in dangerous places or situations as well as required to work long hours. It is not easy to rescue someone, you have to be quick, accurate and mentally prepared on what to do or else you will not be able to save someone who is in a dangerous condition.

If you are really considering a career in paramedics, you need to assess yourself about your willingness to work as hard as paramedics. Are you mentally tough? And will you stay long with the profession? If your answer is yes, then maybe you are destined to become a paramedic. Choose an excellent program for you which can provide you with the proper training and skill you need to become a well equipped paramedic.

EMTs and Paramedics

You constantly see the EMTs and the paramedics whether on the news or in the movie. You see them in their uniform responding to any accidents or disaster giving aid to victims. Sometimes you’ll see them in ambulances, fire trucks, hospitals or helicopters. They are assigned in areas where help is needed. Both the EMT and the paramedics work in a variety of roles and are usually the first in area of accidents, medical emergencies, and natural disasters.

In the field of emergency medical services (EMS), there are different levels of accreditations for providers of care. Emergency Medical Technicians are the most typical kind of providers in all of EMS. They are the entry-level patient care provider accompanied by EMT-Intermediates and then paramedics.

EMTBoth EMTs and paramedics have the skills and knowledge to move or transport patients and provide them with emergency care. The most important distinction between them is the quantity of education they receive as well as what they are permitted to do for patients.

EMTs usually complete a program that may reach 120-150 hours in length. Paramedic classes may be between 1,200 to 1,800 hours. EMT and paramedic courses consist of lectures, hands-on skills training and clinical internships. EMTs are educated in several skills including CPR, assisting patient with oxygen, providing glucose for diabetics, and assisting others with treatments for asthma attacks or allergy symptoms.

Paramedics are superior providers of emergency medical treatment and are highly educated in matters like anatomy and physiology, medications, cardiology, first aid and medical procedures. They expand their EMT education and learn more skills such as providing medications, starting intravenous lines, delivering advanced airway management for patients, and understanding how to resuscitate and assist patients with significant issues like heart attacks and severe injuries.

Paramedics Career

paramedics careerParamedics provide medical attention on ill or injured people on emergency situations. All paramedics are required in all states to get a license and get the certification in the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Paramedics work in compensated positions or voluntary basis for emergency medical services, fire departments, police departments along with other organizations. In an accident or emergency situation, the paramedics are usually the first healthcare professionals to arrive and give preliminary treatment or medication to the patient. They are part of the senior ambulance service experts assigned to accidents and untoward incidents. A paramedic is usually a member of an ambulance crew. The other member serves as an ambulance assistant.

Paramedics face different situations and scenario each day. They constantly meet different types of patients with different conditions or located in different cities. Paramedics are emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Paramedics employed in urban centers typically work in ambulance services, hospitals and municipalities. Employment possibilities are perfect for paramedics who’ve received advanced training. Advanced training can include advanced education. Paramedics may also act as managers, administrators and company directors of emergency services. Although additional training is needed, many nurses and doctors frequently begin as paramedics.

Just like any other profession, the job of a paramedic comes with different challenges. However, the sense of fulfillment that comes with the job gives comfort and security despite the challenges. You need to prepare yourself for difficult situations if you plan to become a paramedic. You may face scenarios that you haven’t seen before, so make sure you are always prepared. Paramedic is a worthy and decent course and their presence is very important. Paramedics enjoy what they do; saving lives and giving hope to hopeless situations are their main role.

Responsibilities of a Paramedic

If a paramedic had a patient with discomfort in the chest area as well as other symptoms, it would allow the Paramedic to follow a Chest Pain procedure or method. This would include providing certain drugs such as Nitrates and Acetylsalicylic. They are qualified to perform these techniques since they have obtained Paramedic certification.

A paramedic is accountable for providing proper care to all sufferers that need emergency healthcare prior to being received at a hospital. EMTs follow healthcare recommendations (field operating procedures) that are written by a doctor or group of doctors, that are set requirements for off-line functions. Paramedics are the best pre-hospital healthcare providers to rely on in extreme emergency medical scenarios. Paramedics must complete challenging paramedic certification courses demonstrating both abilities and knowledge, such as:

ParamedicResponsibility on the field – When paramedics are called to a dangerous scenario (for instance a building collapse, crime scene, blast, hazardous materials risk, automobile accident or natural catastrophe), a paramedic is accountable to make sure the area is safe to enter. Once that is confirmed with the dispatcher, emergency healthcare services employees should anticipate to help in collecting details and securing the place to protect all people from damage.

Patient care – A paramedic’s essential liability is to reduce suffering, save life, do no damage, and encourage the equal availability of emergency health care, according to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians’ NAEMT code. This vow is consistent with vows that other healthcare professionals take. Paramedics also take responsibility for all activities that affect individual care. A paramedic does not hand over any responsibilities requiring his abilities to a smaller experienced individual.

Paramedic Online Training

If you’re enthusiastic about becoming qualified as an EMT or a paramedic, then paramedic training online is one thing which you may want to discover. Online educational institutions for EMT and paramedic training offer much of the training and learning necessary to prepare potential paramedics and EMT to sit for the state examinations of paramedic certification.

There are web based programs available which are designed towards preparing learners to become EMT – Basic licensing as well as advanced degree programs for those who are looking to relocate to the next stage in their emergency healthcare profession. And there are online paramedic programs for EMTs who are ready to move forward. Paramedics are required to have a much more advanced degree, since they are qualified to manage more specific life assistance and first aid methods than EMTs.

paramedic-careerWhat you will find in an online paramedic course is video and audio components, as well as published course content and design which offer the information needed to prepare learners for their paramedic or EMT licensing examinations. You’ll learn healthcare conditions, basic life support and first aid methods. Other subjects which may be covered in an on the internet course include training in CPR, how to manage breathing, using a radio to connect with emergency vehicle dispatchers and medical centers and the appropriate use of backboards, traction devices and other equipment used in emergency care.

While an online paramedic training course will offer significant amounts of information which are necessary to the responsibilities of an EMT or paramedic, there are still some things which cannot be found from an online course. It is not possible to fulfill all of the specifications for state licensing as an EMT or paramedic from an online course alone, or even a conventional educational setting based course, for that matter. Emergency healthcare specialists and paramedics must also complete a certain number of hours of practical training. In the case of a paramedic, this contains both work in a medical center or other medical settings, as well as a certain period of time working in an ambulance.

Transition from Paramedic to RN

Paramedics are the front-line of any emergency healthcare scenario. Most paramedics really like their jobs due to the specific characteristics. A paramedic’s job is very exciting and satisfying. However, there are some who want a more constant job with greater wage. Since they want to remain in the healthcare industry, most paramedics go on to become nurses. They take paramedic to RN bridge programs to help them in their career shift.

Paramedics are the first on the scene where vehicle injuries or any catastrophe occur. They are well qualified, effectively prepared with the skills and information on how to cope with every rescue scenario. Most of them are positioned in ambulances and medical centers. They have a complete healthcare kit for any medical emergency scenario. Their primary job is to transport and offer pre-hospital health care to accident victims.

paramedicThe conversion from paramedic to RN does not have to be a complex one, but becoming an RN does require some time, even for someone with previous healthcare experience. After finishing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program, which can take two to four years, you will need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This examination needs several weeks of learning and review. You will not become a registered nurse without passing the NCLEX-RN.

A paramedic may ask for advanced positioning in the Associate Degree Nursing Program. The program requires students to take the NCLEX-RN examination for state licensure to practice as a nurse. Graduate students have the foundation to continue their education at baccalaureate granting schools. Getting the Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing would be a better choice for paramedics who have time in learning and who are looking forward to more career possibilities as an RN. Paramedic to RN programs will help paramedics in that career shift.