Here’s a brief list of what Paramedics do:

• Assess Patients: Evaluate the medical condition of patients, including taking vital signs and performing physical exams.

• Administer Emergency Care: Provide advanced medical care, such as administering medications, starting IVs, and performing advanced airway management.

• Stabilize and Transport: Stabilize patients and transport them to medical facilities, ensuring their condition remains stable during transit.

• Perform Life-Saving Procedures: Conduct procedures like CPR, defibrillation, and intubation when necessary.

• Communicate with Medical Staff: Relay important patient information to hospital staff and work with them to coordinate care.

• Document Patient Care: Record details of patient assessments, treatments, and responses in medical reports.

• Manage Emergency Situations: Make quick decisions in high-pressure situations and manage a variety of emergency scenarios.

• Provide Support and Reassurance: Offer emotional support and reassurance to patients and their families during stressful situations.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Meet Basic Requirements:

   • Age: Typically, you need to be at least 18 years old.

   • Education: You usually need a high school diploma or GED.

   • Driver’s License: A valid driver’s license is often required.

   • Health: You’ll need to pass a medical exam and sometimes a drug test.

2. Get EMT Certification:

   • Before you can become a paramedic, you usually need to be a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). EMT certification involves completing an accredited EMT training program and passing a national or state certification exam.

3. Gain Experience:

   • Work as an EMT to gain experience. Most paramedic programs require a certain amount of field experience as an EMT, often ranging from 6 months to 1 year.

4. Enroll in a Paramedic Program:

   • Choose an accredited paramedic training program. These programs are often offered by community colleges, universities, or specialized training institutions. They typically take 1 to 2 years to complete and include both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training.

5. Complete the Paramedic Program:

   • During the program, you’ll study advanced medical procedures, pharmacology, and patient assessment. The training includes internships or clinical rotations where you work in real emergency medical settings.

6. Obtain Paramedic Certification:

   • After completing your program, you need to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic exam or a state-specific exam if your state has its own certification process.

7. Apply for State Licensure:

   • You need to obtain a state license to work as a paramedic. Each state has its own licensing requirements and process. This often involves submitting proof of certification and passing a state-specific exam.

     This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!