| Paramedics are highly trained medical professionals | | | | before being allowed to continue school necessary for |
| with the skills and knowledge to treat patients of all | | | | becoming a paramedic. Paramedic courses generally |
| ages with all types of illness and injury. Emergency | | | | average from 18 to 24 months of school. Accelerated |
| medicine jobs, such as the job of a paramedic, need to | | | | classes are available in some areas of the country. |
| be filled by people with the desire to help people and | | | | Once in the paramedic program a person can expect |
| the ability to think quickly when faced with difficult and | | | | to learn a great deal of information. Material covering |
| stressful situations. | | | | human anatomy and physiology to pharmacology (the |
| Paramedics can work on an ambulance in the field or | | | | study of medications) and everything in-between will |
| use their knowledge in the triage department located in | | | | be covered in the paramedic program. Physical skills |
| a hospital or clinic. Paramedics perform a wide array | | | | must also be mastered by the paramedic student |
| of treatments and procedures providing patients with | | | | before passing the final exam and obtaining a license. |
| the highest quality of care possible. Paramedics are | | | | The paramedic student will be tested on their |
| capable of starting IV lines, administering medications, | | | | performance of skills needed to work in the field. |
| and interpreting the results of an EKG. Paramedics are | | | | Paramedics have a unique perspective in the world of |
| also trained in advanced life support which involves | | | | medicine. They are faced with the challenges of |
| airway control, breathing, and circulation support by | | | | environment, dangers on scene, and the unknown |
| performing CPR and utilizing advanced life support | | | | every day. It is a job that needs people who have a |
| measures. | | | | gentle and sympathetic nature with the ability to care |
| Emergency medicine jobs are very rewarding. A | | | | for the sick and injured. Tough skin is sometimes |
| paramedic has a great opportunity to work in and with | | | | required when working in tense and stressful situations |
| the community in order to provide good quality care to | | | | like those faced by a paramedic in the field. |
| the residents. Paramedics are the eyes and ears of | | | | The career of a paramedic is a wonderful opportunity |
| the emergency room doctors when they are out in the | | | | for those interested in emergency medicine. A |
| field and provide physicians with invaluable information | | | | paramedic offers a variety of treatments and |
| about the patient and conditions surrounding the | | | | procedures in the field to patients of all ages |
| patients they transport to the hospital | | | | experiencing medical emergencies. Paramedics work |
| In order to become a paramedic one must first go to | | | | as a direct extension of an emergency room physician |
| school to become an emergency medical technician or | | | | providing the doctor with invaluable information needed |
| EMT basic. Each state has guidelines discussing the | | | | for patient care. |
| amount of time an individual must hold an EMT license | | | | |