Pre-Paramedic Experience

[dropdeded]

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What and how much experience did you have before taking a Paramedic course? What are your thoughts on somebody with limited experience in a EMS system becoming a Paramedic? I have only been working as an EMT with a transfer company for 9 months. 5 of them on an ALS ambulance. The reason I ask is I have been approached by both Paramedics and others with many years in EMS about taking the Paramedic course at a local college. Im actually pretty confused here. I really thought I would get some time in a high volume 911 system before thinking about becoming a Medic but Im being told "dont throw away the time".

Thoughts, comments.

Thanks, Ed

 

[deleted6669]

it is very doable to attend an emt-p program without prior field experience. I was an emt-d/er tech for 5 years before medic school with no field time and was class valedictorian in my medic program.

 

[beanbean]

With 5 mos on an ALS service you should be fine. i have known of some people that took it straight after theri EMT class and were not the best medics because they never really learned BLS. Sounds like you have plenty of experience and won't have that issue.

 

[12R34Y]

take the medic class. I only worked on a BLS only ambulance as an EMT-B for a few months prior to starting medic school. I continued to work on it through medic school as well, but I don't really think it mattered.

Don't worry about it. you will probably have as much experience as anybody.

later

 

[Oats]

I was a basic for 2 years before going through the paramedic class. It worked well for me that way. I also know a few people that went straight through, and they're great medics. I don't think it really matters how long you wait (as long as you have strong basic skills!). 👍

 

[bandaidsNhoses]

8years as a tech before going ALS. 4 of them in a very large municipal dept. Those 4 paid years might as well equate to 12 volunteering. I definately am happier that I got more experience as a paid tech before going medic. It definately gave me a better base to build upon.

 

[medic170]

I was only a Basic for 6 months before I started my medic class, and I have not killed anyone for 6 years and counting 😉

 

[HNS]

3 years as an EMT-B. But when I enrolled that was required. The standards have changed over the years. I geuss it really depends on what you feel is appropriate. I think that one year should be good if you are busy.

 

[pushinepi2]

3 years as an EMT-B. But when I enrolled that was required. The standards have changed over the years. I geuss it really depends on what you feel is appropriate. I think that one year should be good if you are busy.

Way back yonder when I entered the "paramedic world" (in 1997), I had three years as an EMT-B. Fortunately, Alachua County Fire Rescue (Ganesville, FL) had a fairly decent reserve program. I volunteered with them during college and did time on their ALS transport and first response apparatus. I ended up working for them for about 4 years; the volunteer time made the clearance/probationary process that much easier. I managed to get hired w/out fire standards (thought it was eventually written into my contact.) Also, the local community college required six months minimum of EMT experience prior to entering a paramedic program. Since a lot of medic programs are switching to AS degree format, the experience requirement is no longer that important. In any case, time spent in the field will greatly assist the paramedic applicant. This opinion, of course, raises all sorts of other issues like pre-requisites and the general fund of paramedic student knowledge. I'll leave those alone for another thread. 🙂

Push

 

[medicality]

My medic program required that you be an I before starting (it was an accelerated program format)... so I had two years as a B and finished my I testing the week before medic class started. I was really glad that I had field time in before going on to medic. I also continued to work during medic school and got more experience doing that. I have seen some medics go through two year programs that require no prior EMS that worked out great, but I have also worked with quite a few who really missed a few things by not working BLS first. Every person is different but I am glad that I did it the way that I did. Good luck and it is really a great profession!