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Paramedic: Classroom or online programs
Here's the short version of my question....is it worth looking into online paramedic programs or should I only consider campus based programs? I am currently employed full time in non Fire/EMS job and would want to be a private paramedic til I got enough experience for flight. My preference is to keep my day job and go to school full time online til I get picked up somewhere. But again, would employers even consider me if I went through online program?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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The biggest problem with an online program is that it is outside the hands on aspect which really is the crux of such a field. While one can read about cells, systems, EKGs, blocks, rhythms, drugs, drug calculations, doses, etc, etc online, you miss out on doing such skills in person.
A big portion of a paramedic certification IS the hands on training and there IS a requirement to fulfill before taking a certification test. This means you have to do so many ER clinic setting hours, so many OR and intubations, So much time in pediatrics, cardiac, as well as ride time with a paramedic level service.
So really in the long run, if looking to go for paramedic, I seriously would consider campus based programs. Online program may be fine if you are looking to get a degree in paramedic, where you would be taking classes outside just paramedic, but if looking to obtain a paramedic certification, look towards a campus program. Yes, you may find yourself quite consumed with classes, but at least things are typically set up for you, such as clinicals, labs, and ride time.
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Permalink Reply by 55 TRUCK on
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Do not fo online! A college based program id bad enough! If there done the same wau
there as here. We have basicly 2 types, hospital based & college. Hospital based are
the best.Your street clinicals are done in either fire dept ambulances or hospital
ambulances,both.types are 911 no private service. Your.preceptores are all off duty
firefighter/paramedics or off duty hospital medics.
When I did my medic class over10yrs ago. The hospital class I took required you to
have at least 2yrs on.the street as a emt.
The college based do not prepare you for the street unless they.are in a built.up area
and use the fire & ems.around them to help teach.
Bottom line is, book learning is fine, but your patient assesment will make or break you
as a medic student & as a medic. The only way to get good is to do it.
1. Get your emt(if you don't have it)
2. Get job on medic rig or vol.
3. Apply for medic class
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Ask yourself the samemquestion. If you were hurt, would you feel as comfortable with someone who learned how to treat you using hands on didactic instruction verses someone who learned it online.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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I hold a Graduate Certificate of Management of Learning and also a Diploma of Training and Assessment Systems. I'm the Training Manager for my organisation. I manage the training for 1500 employees, across 282 sites, Australia wide.
The reality is, the use of on line delivery is becoming more and more prominent in the L&D world. It has significant merit.
We need to be mindful though, that elearning is not the answer to everything when it comes to training- some topics lend themself to this delivery mode really well, and others it doesn't.
There's absolutely no reason why it can't be used to teach a lot of the theory to Paramedic operations. The goal should never be to replace hands on training- the reality is there's a multitude of topics that can't be done online.
Blended learning is becoming the norm. I'd be questioning the ratio of online vs face-to-face for the program.
We also need to be mindful of adult learning styles. More and more will learn better with the use of technology, as oppossed to the traditional text books, etc. It doesn't make them any more or less qualified to do their role, it's simply how they've been trained and assessed.
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First off, I have nothing to counter someone who manages 1500 employees training covering all of Australia. I'm newly retired, sitting on my deck with two poodles in my lap. Not much of a comparison... I did go through the masters program for my teaching stuff with the fire service and have taught thousands here in the states and Hawaii. I also use a z when I spell organization but all that matters as a teacher is reaching as many senses as you can. Classroom environments trigger all the senses. You can only get so much out of a computer screen at 72 dpi.
With that said, I'm an absolute fan of on learning programs for much of the didactic components. Anything with repetition is a good thing. But to not incorporate hands on workshops for manipulative skills would be my main concern here. There is something to be said for the classroom environment where the student learns with others, something critical for this line of work, teamwork...
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I would agree with much of what Bz says here. I also see a benefit to electronic learning, blended education, etc, but only under the right circumstances. I really don't see those circumstances especially when it comes to the hands on training and skills needed for paramedic or firefighting.
Like I mentioned earlier, I can see the benefits of online courses if going towards a degree in paramedic in which one would have to take other classes in conjunction with the core courses. However, I really don't see much in the realms of theory to paramedic operations.
Now around my state, paramedic programs are very fast paced and those without some EMS experience find themselves at a disadvantage quickly. (Most programs require you to be an EMT-B first, but there are several who go to EMT-B one semester and right into paramedic) There are a couple schools offering an associates degree in paramedic, which really is the only area where I could see online learning being.
Most programs, paramedic is a one year certification program and fast paced. Classes may only be a couple days a week, but then there is significant clinical time and ride time. There are other programs that are 6 month, and even more faster paced. With online programs, there is a chance to control the pace of learning and the time you want to do work, but I see that as more of a hinderance in a fast paced, hands on program.
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"There are a couple schools offering an associates degree in paramedic, which really is the only area where I could see online learning being."
The use of online media will continue to include continuing education. The basics are fully understood by the user in many situations making the learning using online media more feasible.
For several years now, my department has used the online EMS Jane program to maintain EMT certification. The training is done by on-duty firefighters at their fire stations in modules and is self paced, providing printable certificates as you progress through the certification training necessary for maintaining a current EMT certification.
The fire department training officers have complete control over subject matter and the testing is done online, validating the program by an independent third party.
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I would say there is a big difference between continuing education for online learning, vs online learning for the initial certification.
With continuing ed, you should have the basics down already and understand the scope of the training. Whereas when looking to obtain your core certification it is better to have that classroom/hands on interaction for initial courses.
The OP here was asking about initial certification training as opposed to continuing ed.
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Yup... We are both in agreement here. My point was only to support the use of online media for CE, not initial training.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Anderson on
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Get your EMT certification and get on with a private service or volunteer some where. Work at least six months to a year to get hands on experience. This will also give you time to make sure this is what you really want to do. You will need that time to master the basics and learn a little street knowledge. DO NOT go straight from EMT to Paramedic. The foundation you will need will not be there. I've seen people go straight up and not have the fundamentals needed to become a paramedic.
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Permalink Reply by Ron Briggs on
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Get hands on in the classroom first then for continuing after on a dept use online for advancement when needed.
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