Compass said:
First off, what are all the different licenses? My local hospital offers a 3-week course that certifies me to be something related to first responder work, first aid and CPR I believe, but I'm pretty sure that's not the right course I may be looking for, as EMT courses seem to take up 6 credits, have their own majors, and etc.
The two primary levels of being an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) are EMT-B (basic) and EMT-P (paramedic). Basics can do "basic" life support- provide oxygen, control bleeding, splint injuries, give basic meds (epi/albuterol, glucose, assist with nitro, activated charcoal/ipecac- this varies based on where you practice), backboard patients, and transport to the hospital, and must be certified in CPR and AED use. Most EMT classes last betwen 4-8 mos, depending on how much time is required, and how often you meet. Classes are not always offered through schools, but through your regional EMS office as well, though depending on your school you can get class credit for "biology electives" for taking an EMT class.
Paramedics are "advanced" life support providers- they can start IVs, do intubations, read EKGs and push a variety of meds on standing orders. This course is a lot longer, as in 1-2 years plus a few hundred hours of ride time and hospital observations, and to take you must be proficient in all your basic skills (most classes that I know of make you retake your basic practical, and if you fail any of the skills you can't take that class).
In addition, different states have different levels of training in between, with the most common being EMT-I (intermediate). Intermediates (at least in NYS) can start IVs, do intubations, but can only push a few meds (epi, albuteral, glucose, dextrose, and there are two more that they can push in this area that I don't remember). Again, that's something that varies state by state. NY also has EMT-CC (critical care technicians). They're effectively paramedics, except they only have a handful on meds they can push on standing orders, and need to call a doctor in order to use the others.
From what little you mentioned about the class the hospitals offers, it sounds like it's a CFR (certified first responder) course. As you said, it teaches basic first aid, CPR, and most teach basic patient evaluation, including backboarding and splinting. You can't ride on an ambulance by yourself as only a CFR, but for most firedepartments in my area, it's the mimimum requirement to be able to ride with them.
As far as being their own major, the only place in the area that I know that do it are one of the local CCs and SUNY-Cobleskill (~1 hr away), where you can get an associates degree as a paramedic, but in addition to taking the medic class, you have to take a bunch of other classes as well (or you can just get the EMT-P degree without the major).
Compass said:
I'm looking for general field/clinical/applicable experience, as I don't know exactly what I'm doing in the future, yet concerning an medical occupation.
The best thing about being an EMT in the is that you actually get to do the hands on patient care, get used to seeing the trauma and gore first hand, learn how to do patient assessments, and learn to think "outside the box." Granted, as a basic you do a lot less of the above, since for the more serious calls there's a medic on scene who will provide the advanced care. The solution is simple- get to know your medics very well, especially if they're a part of the agency you belong to, and you'll be able to help them out. I'm a basic, and can set up the Lifepak (cardiac monitor), am learning how to read EKGs, can do all the set up of an IV line, know
how to stick a patient (even though I've never actually done it), and know a good deal about the drugs the medics use. Granted, most of the latter you can learn doing shadowing in an ER, but you lack the patient interaction you would gain in the field.
Compass said:
I just don't know how far I should go if I'm not planning on a full career in EMT work as of yet?
I got into EMS by joining the squad on campus because I thought it would be a great way to get a hands on look at medicine. From there I got a job at a local commercial agency, and work a 24 hour shift a week during the semester, which is enough to pay the bills. Since I gave up lab work (I hated it with a passion), I now work full time during the summer (as in 50-60+ hours a week), but if you have another job it's not that hard to stay part time. In addition, I recently joined another volunteer agency in the area so I can have some more variety in the calls I take. For most volunteer agencies, you just have to pledge one twelve hour shift a week with (possible) rotating weekends (where I joined, it's one saturday every 6 weeks), and usually monthly (if that often) training drills.
I know I'm not the best example of not doing full time with EMS, but it's something I stopped doing long ago just to look good for med school. It's gotten under my skin, and is something I truly enjoy doing. If you do it just for med school purposes, you'll never have the true passion for it, and would be better off just doing shadowing in the ER. On the same token, you can be completely dedicated to EMS and not plan to make a career out of it. Case in point, my best friend, who wants to go for her PhD in neuroscience, has absolutely no desire to get an MD whatsoever, but loves doing EMS, and rides twice a week just for fun. How much you get out of it us completely up to you, and how far you go depends on how much you enjoy it.
And now that I've gone on forever...I think I'm done.
If you have any more questions though, feel free to PM me.
