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Permalink Reply by FF Duke on March 9, 2009 at 8:02pm

Yeah bro i would make sure you like the EMT side of it first. Being a medic brings a lot more responsibility and you need to make sure that is the direction you want to go. If i were you, I would get a job with an ambulance service and see how you like it and go from there. Hope this helps, good luck with Registry.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Hayden on March 9, 2009 at 8:56pm

I think going from EMT to Paramedic should REQUIRE working on an ambulance for three years. There are a lot of things the books don't teach you. I remember back when I was in medic class, we were doing our CPR practicals and a lady in my class looked at me wide eyed and actually asked, "You've done that on someone for real?". Yeah, that's who I want as a medic coding someone I know.

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Permalink Reply by Joey "BigShow" De Piano on March 11, 2009 at 11:47am

Can not say first hand bro as i am strictly ff but my ife is paid emt and has worked for 2 seperate emt places one private other municipality she waited to go for medics and frankly has just gotten word that there is a very good chance that EMT basics (meaning all emt classifications) will be allowed to adminster epies,check blood sugars and do nearly everything medics do minus admin of high end drugs..if that happens i see a lot of these private companies folding into mergers and the municiplaties growing larger ...lets face it why pay your people and a meic company when your people can do it all for one fee..anyway the trip to medic hood is realy on you ..personally after seeing my wife and her friends various trip through this some went right away others waited ...my feeling and it in no way is a reflection on you or any emt or medic..but i can't see you or anyone going to medic school right away and get a license and think you know what a medic who has been doing this 5, 10 plus years knows and has seen..its the same between you and i..i can go my emt schooling tomorrow and get certified but that does not make me "an emt" just mens i am allowed to be..hands on and getting dirty makes you and shapes you..why we have probies..I know you are aware of it but you asked ..lol..i saw what my wifes friends / class went through some were emts for years and got a bit more respect from their mentors then the 1 year emts going through..(rightfully so?..guess its all in the person )...soul search it bro..and look at what the future might be bringing cause like fire medical changes by the day..good luck...

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Permalink Reply by Beverly on March 11, 2009 at 1:36pm

Until you are confident in your skills as an EMT-B wait to pursue your P. Run as many calls as you can, even if you just have to observe....you can learn so much just by watching. If you don't have a high call volume, practice on everyone you know, at every chance you can get.
The first thing you need to know is that what you learn in class and test accordingly is not necessarily what you do on the street. The way you are taught and tested on does not allow for the variables and real life situations you will come upon. That does not mean throw all the learning out the window but it does mean adapt...adapt the information you learned to fit the situation you are in...adapt the "one step at a time" to multi-tasking, use all of your senses in combination to bring you information...adapt the "one size fits all" theories to each pt is an individual.
Never forget that each pt is a human being not a compilation of machine generated information...treat the pt not the machine. Above all, treat the pt as a human being, as you would want to have your family member treated.
Only if and when you can do all those things without a second thought, without having to think your way through the steps, then think about getting your P.
It also wouldn't hurt to talk to some of the veterans, your Dad included about their experiece and how much more difficult it is to get your P and how much some "under the belt" experiece helps.
In the meantime, good luck with your test, good luck with your hands on experience.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Claus on April 17, 2009 at 7:46am

I agree with the other posts on here, get some experience as a basic before jumping into paramedic. Once your new skills as a basic are committed to muscle memory, you should do well. You have a great resource available to you, your dad, when you do start medic school. As for going career, try getting some run time with the ambulance service you are interested in. It will give both, you and the future employer, a chance to get to know each other. Best of luck to you.

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Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on April 17, 2009 at 8:20am

From what I have read in the other posting, I think you might already have your answer, good luck

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Permalink Reply by John on April 17, 2009 at 3:17pm

I was told By our Captain to go the EMT route for a bit get some expirence in and then go to paramedic classes.
I think that might be the best route to go that way you will know if this is what you wanna do.

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Permalink Reply by William Roberts on April 23, 2009 at 10:38pm

Couple things I have learned through experience and on going education. To be the best medic, you must be solid with the BLS skills. What you learn in school only goes so far. I remember going through school never hearing what normal breath sounds sound like. Through further education I learned to differentiate what different breath sounds were with the help of experienced medics to help the patient receive the best care. Further your training comes before any interventions a paramedic is going to perform. Alot of people say BLS before ALS for this reason. It starts with ABC's and corrections of life threats. Lets say you run a full arrest. ACLS is useless without good effective CPR. So I would take advantage of being a basic, and exercise the use of your skills as much a possible. Once you feel you have truly mastered BLS, then it will be time to move on towards ALS.

Thats my two cents I wish you the best on your career

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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on April 24, 2009 at 12:04am

Avery, your comment that you want to be all you can be says it all, do just that! Finish the EMT B and then work on your FF skills and certs. You need to put into practice your EMT skills anyhow. There is much that you had to learn in the class to pas the State exam that you'll soon discover if not already that will be tossed in the trash and you will practice in the real world. You are that close and each step forward will come in time and effort on your part. If you want something you will have to work for it. Nothing ever comes easy. Usually if it does you dont appreciate it as much. Give er heck Bro. You'll get there.

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