Paramedics have been used by countries in military conflict for centuries. Aged Roman Centurions, unable to fight due to their age, were forced to provide emergency services to wounded soldiers in combat. During the Crusades, Christian knights performed this important task much to the chagrin of their Islamic counterparts.

The first ambulances that carried paramedics were seen in London when patients stricken with the bubonic plague were hurried away from friends and loved ones. It wasn’t until the 1960’s when paramedics became a necessity in most urban centers across the world. Today, only the most remote regions of the western world do not have access to paramedic emergency care.

Paramedics: A Career Path 

Naturally, this profession is perfect for those would like to help save lives, but cannot afford or do not want to spend many years in school for a medical degree. Also important, is the demand for paramedic jobs, which has grown rapidly in the past few decades. In fact, according to the United States Department of Labor, the demand for Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics is expected to grow by 19% between 2006 and 2016. This pace is actually faster than the average for every single other occupation. The demand for paramedics is not restricted to metropolitan areas alone, however. Rural communities are also in need of emergency response assistance.

This increased demand will make job prospects favorable for anyone willing to complete the proper training programs. These paramedic programs will not only validate you within the job market, but also provide you with valuable experience with saving lives. Job opportunities will be best within private ambulance companies, while local governments will be difficult to penetrate due to benefits and higher salaries. No matter which segment of the industry you enter, receiving the proper education and certifications will allow you to prosper.

Finding Paramedic Programs

Finding paramedic programs is usually as easy as applying to your local community college. Many state colleges and hospitals offer training courses, but paramedic students train for approximately 750 – 1,500 hours before receiving any kind of certificate.

Working conditions for paramedics are also an important consideration when determining your career path. Paramedics are forced to work indoors and outdoors in all types of weather in order to save lives. Physically, emergency response professionals are required to lift heavy objects, kneel, and bend your body. Typically the number of hours worked per week depends on the employer. Fire departments employ paramedics that average about 40-50 hours every week. Hospitals require anywhere from 40 to 60 hours per week, while private ambulances typically require 45-50 hour work weeks. The job often entails much physical labor, but the life of a paramedic can often be both exciting and rewarding.

With the recent slump the American economy has fell into, more and more people are searching for careers where there is job growth. The fact is, jobs are still there, amid the downhill trend in our economy, but it’s a matter of whether one is willing to pursue the required education needed for many of those jobs. Whether you have dreamed of being a paramedic from a young age, or are simply looking to change your career for whatever reason, it is certainly a career that can be rewarding from a number of aspects. As a paramedic, you are considered to be the highest level of certified EMT (emergency medical technician), meaning in most cases, your salary will be the highest in the field. Aside from the salary, many people become a paramedic due to the personal satisfaction they gain from helping others on a daily basis. Regardless of what your reasons are for becoming a paramedic, this article is going to go in depth and outline step by step how to become a paramedic.

EMT-B Certification

The EMT field works on a sort of hierarchy type format, meaning you have to work your way up to become a paramedic. The first step is to become a certified EMT-B, also known as EMT-Basic. In order to become a certified EMT-B, there are a number of requirements you must meet, and these requirements generally vary from state to state. For a list of the requirements to become an EMT-B in each state, click here.

EMT-I Certification

At this point, you’re one step closer to becoming a paramedic! The next step, once you’ve received yourEMT-B certification, will be to work towards yourEMT-I certification, also known asEMT-Intermediate certification. Again, the requirements to obtain your EMT-I certification are different from one state to another, but in the majority of states, an additional 110 hours of training will be required.

Many who receive their EMT-B certification jump into the workforce immediately, and then later simultaneously work towards their EMT-I certification. This is a great idea, as it allows you to gain experience working in the field, which will certainly make it easier to work towards becoming a paramedic. If you have other prior engagements, most cities have a volunteer EMT force, and that is also a great way to start racking up some experience in the field.

When you have completed the EMT-I requirements set by your state, you will be required to apply for EMT-I certification. You can find more information on obtaining your EMT-I certification in your state here.

How to Become a Paramedic

Now that you have become a certified EMT-I, you will be eligible to work towards your paramedic certification. Given the fact that paramedics are the EMTs who make the final call, this stage of training is very intensive, and with good reason. The state wants to ensure that only the best and most competent are out there as paramedics, as others’ lives depend on these paramedics daily.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Paramedic?

Once again, the requirements will vary from one state to another, but in most states, becoming a paramedic will require over 1000 hours of experience, and both a clinical and field internship. Some states even set the bar higher, requiring EMTs to have over 1800 hours of field experience prior to being permitted to become a paramedic.

Once your state has licensed you as a paramedic, you will be required to complete a refresher course every year or two (varies based on the state you are licensed in).

Though becoming a paramedic is certainly no easy journey, it can certainly be a very rewarding career. If you are still unsure as to how to become a paramedic, you can certainly leave a comment below and one of our representatives will respond to you. In the alternative, you are welcome to contact us through email.

At this point, you have likely completed your EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate training (this may vary based on the state you are located in), and are considering pursuing further training to become a paramedic. In order to do so, you will need to enroll in some sort of paramedic program. This article is going to be more geared towards those who may be interested in an online paramedic program. Online paramedic programs are quite new, and as a result, the number of accredited online paramedic programs offered is still slowly increasing. These courses will prepare EMTs for the final certification exam one must pass in order to become a certified paramedic.

Online Paramedic Program Curriculum

• Advanced Life Support
• Airway Management
• Ambulatory Services
• Drug Administration
• Emergency Response
• Life Support
• Patient Assessment
• Respiratory Care
• Transporting Patients
• Utilizing Manual Defibrillators

Online paramedic programs generally run anywhere from a year and a half to two years long, dependent on the state you are residing in. In the past, the only option was to enroll in a program at a physical location, as technology did not yet allow for any sort of online programs to be offered. Thankfully, with advances in technology, the number of accredited online paramedic programs offered through the country are increasing yearly, making it easier for EMTs and other health professionals to pursue further education to become licensed paramedics.

In order to enroll in an online paramedic program, you must have already completed your intermediate level EMT training (which subsequently means you have already completed your basic level EMT training).

There are a few reasons online programs are offered. For starters, online paramedic programs allow those with busy schedules to still pursue further education. Nowadays, people have children to tend too, work to attend, and other responsibilities, making it difficult for them to attend a class at a physical location regularly. Online classes make it easy for just about everyone to learn from their home. Additionally, in an online paramedic program, students are able to work at their own pace, often making the learning experience easier and less stressful.

Finding Accredited Online Paramedic Programs

Due to the fact that online programs in the paramedic field are fairly new, your best bet is to contact your local EMS bureau to find out if there are any accredited online paramedic programs in your state. This is essential, as many make the mistake of enrolling and completing a program, only to find out that it is not accredited by the state.

Keep in mind that the entirety of the training program is not online. After all, it would unrealistic to hand out paramedic certification to everyone who completed an online program. Paramedics require a great degree of practical and hands on training. All online paramedic programs will include a number of hours of practical, hands on training. Once the course requirements have been met by students, they will be eligible to take the paramedic exam.

As a paramedic, career options are abundant. You can also choose to pursue further education, and possibly enroll in a paramedic to RN program. Doing so will again widen your career opportunities, allowing you to work in the nursing field.

It’s always a good idea to keep your career options open, and that rule applies to both EMTs and paramedics. Paramedics and RNs (Registered Nurses) are generally in the same line of work, and recently certified paramedics may wonder how to go from paramedic to RN. There are paramedic to RN programs in all states throughout the country, and these programs involve advanced medical courses which basically help paramedics to have the option of pursuing a career in nursing. A number of institutions also offer what is known as a paramedic to RN bridge program, and this is quite similar to an accelerated EMT program. In a paramedic to RN bridge program, paramedics will go through a swift course where they will have the opportunity to earn the RN certification. The great part is that for those wanting to go from paramedic to RN, the process is actually very easy, due to the fact that paramedics have already been trained in most of the areas that nurses are well versed in. These areas include patient care, administering drugs, pharmacology, patient assessment, and so forth.

Paramedic to RN Steps

Well, shortly put, paramedics must complete a program where they will earn their RN license, which requires that they complete an AA  program in nursing. Once paramedics have gained their RN credentials, their career options expand greatly, and they can now work in hospitals, medical clinics, retirement houses, and so forth. Below is a breakdown of the steps a paramedic must take to earn their RN credentials:

Step One – Maintaining their status as a certified paramedic. Every single state requires that paramedics enroll in “refresher courses”. Some states require enrollment once per year, while others require enrollment every two years. It varies from state to state. Regardless, it is essential that paramedics keep their certification by enrolling in a refresher course as often as is required by their state.

Step Two – Register for a paramedic to RN bridge program, and make sure that the program is accredited in your state. In order to enroll in paramedic to RN programs in most states, you must have a transcript that states your Grade Point Average (GPA).

Step Three – Enroll in classes that fulfill the requirements at the institution you are attending. This will vary, so you should check with a counselor where you are enrolled. Generally, those enrolled in paramedic to RN programs will have to take classes in the following subjects:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Microbiology
• Nursing, Patient/Health Care

Usually, there are several courses in each of these subjects, thus it is important to speak to a counselor before enrolling. It’s a common mistake for individuals to take classes that are not required for their paramedic to RN program.

Step Four – In just about every single paramedic-to-RN program, students will have to complete a practical part of the course (often referred to as the hands-on part of the course). Based on the course, this section may involve simulations, or participating in a nursing lab.

Step Five – In order to successfully earn their RN certification, students in a paramedic to RN program must keep their GPA at a certain level (this number will vary based on where you are enrolled).

Step Six – Second last step. Students will have to complete the NCLEX-RN exam (a standardized nursing test). Once they have passed this exam, students will officially be a licensed RN.

Step Seven (optional) – At this point, students can determine whether they would like to obtain further credentials. For example, they can apply for credentials in a specific practice of medical care.

There are a number of advantages of pursuing a paramedic to RN program. These advantages include:

• Increased job opportunities – With your RN certification, you will have far more job opportunities. You’ll be able to apply to both jobs in the paramedic field and in the nursing field.
• Further education in the future – You may decide to pursue a higher degree of education in the future. By obtaining your RN certification, you will be one step ahead of the game if you decide to pursue further education in the future.
• Higher salary – The more experience and certification you have, the higher chance of receiving an increased salary.

As you can see, there are a number of advantages of taking a paramedic to nurse program. Just because you are taking a paramedic to nurse program does not mean you are abandoning your EMT credentials. If you continue taking paramedic refresher courses as required by your state, you will still be a licensed paramedic EMT, and can work in that field at any time that you choose.

Additionally, you can maintain your job as a paramedic while you pursue your RN education. In recent years, a number of online paramedic to RN programs have grown popular, and these are a great choice for those who prefer learning on their own, and also for those who have prior commitments and hectic schedules.