All paramedics must be able to maintain their composure during extremely stressful situations. This trait can be developed over time by honing their clinical skills, building trust with partners and understanding how to roll with the punches at the scene of an emergency. Before entering paramedic school, you must get your EMT license. EMTs may still respond to calls in an ambulance, but are more likely to assist paramedics with advanced life-saving techniques rather than perform them on their own.
Depending on what course you enroll in, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to about six months to complete. Once you receive your EMT certification, you have the option of enrolling in paramedic school. Paramedic training will take anywhere from six months to about two years to complete, but many students continue to work as an EMT while finishing their classes. This will give you a firsthand look at what an emergency service provider does, and give you the chance to talk with someone about what they do.
Rachel Engel is the senior associate editor of FireRescue1. In addition to her regular editing duties, Engel seeks to tell the heroic, human stories of first responders and the importance of their work. She earned her bachelor's degree in communications from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and began her career as a freelance writer, focusing on government and military issues. Engel joined Lexipol in and has since reported on issues related to public safety.
Engel lives in Wichita, Kansas. She can be reached via email. Read about these:. Add a badge to your website or intranet so your workers can quickly find answers to their health and safety questions.
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The main duties of a paramedic are to: Respond to emergency calls such as sudden illness, accidents automobile, industrial, etc. Provide emergency medical care or care in route to other medical facilities. Use proper techniques for first aid, medical treatments, etc. Transport the patients to the required hospital or other medical facilities for further medical care as appropriate.
Educate the public on health and safety issues. Paramedics may experience: Exposure to contagious or infectious diseases from patients or needles. Working with the various chemicals used in medical procedures such as halothane, nitrous oxide and ethyl chloride. Your training to become a paramedic may take years to complete as these programs require you to complete about hours of learning and hands-on practice.
The program will consist of assessing medical conditions, dealing with trauma, respiratory, and cardiac emergencies, using medical field equipment, and responding to emergencies. NREMT certification requires completion of a certified paramedic program and passing the national exam, both the written and practical parts.
Most states also require you to get licensed; check with your states medical board for more information. When an emergency call comes in from a operator, a paramedic is sent to the scene to help the sick or injured person and, if necessary, transport them to a hospital. He or she may drive the ambulance or they may stay with the patient to monitor them and give emergency care. Some paramedics work with a helicopter flight team and would transport a patient by air and give medical treatment en route, normally caring for the serious or critically ill.
They can give oral and intravenous medications, interpret electrocardiograms EKGs and operate complex medical equipment. Some paramedics work on a volunteer basis, but paid paramedics normally work full-time hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.
This occupation is considered physically and mentally demanding as paramedics both indoors and outdoors as well as in all types of inclement weather. Their workday is very physical and can be stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations. They can perform and interpret medical tests using equipment such as electrocardiogram machines. Paramedics also administer antidotes in cases of poisoning or drug overdose. A paramedic monitors each patient he treats during the trip to the hospital emergency room or other treatment facility, and he transmits the results of his monitoring to the urgent care facility.
Usually, this is done with the help of monitoring equipment that automatically transmits patient data such as heart rate, pulse and respiratory function. Paramedics must communicate clearly with emergency room physicians and others who continue caring for patients once they arrive at the care facility.
Once they are able to relinquish responsibility for acute care to emergency facility staff, paramedics must provide detailed written documentation of each case they handle. What Does a Paramedic Do?
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