Paramedic
By: Nicole
Occupation Description
Respond to emergencies ranging from a heart attack all the way to a car accident or shooting. They respond to any situation that needs "Emergency" service immediately. They are first on the scene of any incident and are able to work under great amounts of pressure.
Certification Necessary to Practice
- Need to be licensed (varies by state)
- Have to complete state approved CAAHEP program
- Take Cognitive exam
- Takes 1,200-1,800 hours
Daily Activities
At any moment they may:
- Attend medical emergencies
- Tend to patients on way to hospitals
- Give drugs to patients and perform invasive techniques
- Put patients on stretchers and lift them into ambulances to transport them
- Obtain patients past and present medical history
- Bring patients to the right medical facility
- Provide proper transportation of patients
- Daily vehicle/equipment checks
- Attend public events where emergencies are likely to occur
- Be prepared for the best and the worse of situations
Education Requirements
Have to be 18+
High School graduate
Undergo physical examination
Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B screening
EMT- Basic training
EMT- Intermediate training
Paramedic Training
Certification
Average income a year (Beginning and potential)
Beginning: 30,881
Average: 31,020
Potential: 39,223
ABOUT $15 AN HOUR
Skills necessary to be successful in this profession
- A caring nature
- Highly developed communications skills
- The capacity to remain calm, think clearly and act quickly in stressful situations
- Teamwork and self-reliance
- Adaptability
- The ability to follow instructions and guidelines
- A good level of health and physical fitness
Where would you work?
Firehouses
Casinos
Some office buildings or construction places have on site paramedics
Football games (contact sports)
Hospitals
*** Wide range of places to work at***
Job outlook
From 2012 - 2022 the career of a Paramedic (EMT) is expected to increase by 23% which is much higher than most other occupations.
Information found at:
http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/43/Emergency_Medical_TechnicianParamedic
https://www.nremt.org/nremt/about/reg_para_history.asp
http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Paramedic-Salary-Details-Kansas-City-MO.aspx
http://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/Paramedics/Become-a-Paramedic/What-It-Involves.html
http://education-portal.com/requirements_to_be_a_paramedic.html
So you want to be an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic