Paramedic Training

The paramedic training programs expands on the EMT-basic and EMT-intermediate training. Basic EMTs usually train around  120 – 150 hours of training, while paramedics have received training hours of 1,200 to 1,800 hours. They also reward paramedics with a 2 year degree.

While a paramedic can do all the duties of the lower level EMTs. The biggest difference between a paramedic and an EMT, is the paramedic’s ability to perform additional medical skills such as: breaking the skin, administering intravenous lifelines, advanced airway management, providing medication and handling sophisticated medical tools.

A paramedic also earn more than an EMT. The paramedic can expect to earn in average around $36.000 annually (Some states pay even more – visit paramedic salary to learn more).

In order to become a paramedic. You must first complete emt-basic training and become certified emt. Afterwards you need to complete the paramedic training program and pass the NREMT exam. Some states however uses their own state approved exam.

The requirements to enrol in paramedic training programs are:

• You must be qualified EMT-Intermediate and EMT-basic.
• Be at least 18 years old
• Possess a CPR-card
• Possess a valid driver’s license

During the training program you can expect to:

• Undergo a 320 hours of training and 96 hours of clinical training.
• You must serve an internship involving clinical rotations and ambulance runs for at least 1 semester.
  

Schools

You can find paramedic training programs being offered at most 2-year community colleges, universities and technical schools.  They offer certification programs and some also offer a two-year associate degree.

The Associate’s degree can give you an advantage in entering better schools at higher institutions of learning.

Currently 46 states uses the NREMT exam to certify and license paramedics and EMTs in their state. The rest of them uses their own state approved exams to certify and license Paramedics and EMTs. The state approved exams are fairly similar to what you can expect in the NREMT exam.

Please go back to our home page or by clicking here and select a state beneath to learn more about each states paramedic training requirements and additional information.

Tags: paramedic, paramedic training, paramedic training programs, preparation

By Jack in Paramedic Training in Alabama on December 12, 2011