What Education Do I Need to Be a Paramedic?
Paramedic education includes rigorous classroom, laboratory, and field training. The curriculum may vary slightly, depending on the state in which you live. A paramedic is the most extensively trained of the three types of emergency medical technicians (EMTs). You'll complete hundreds of hours of education - including EMT-Basic training - before becoming a certified paramedic. Read on to learn more about paramedic schooling requirements.
Paramedic Education Requirements
<p>The National Standard Curriculum, developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides the minimum education requirements for all Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) levels, which include:
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<ul><li>EMT-Basic
</li><li>EMT-Intermediate
</li><li>EMT-Paramedic
</li></ul><p>The National Registry of Emergency Management Technicians (NREMT) certifies emergency medical personnel in the United States; however, some states administer their own licensing examinations as an alternative to the NREMT licensing exam. The following are the educational requirements for an EMT-Paramedic.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutParamedicEducation">Important Facts About Paramedic Education</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td>Required every two to three years to maintain certification</td></tr>
<tr><td>Online Availability</td><td><a href="http://learn.org/articles/Where_Can_I_Take_an_Online_EMT_Certification_Program.html">Coursework online</a>; clinical onsite</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Courses</td><td>Introduction to paramedicine, medical terminology, trauma treatment</td></tr>
<tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td>Good health and one to three years of experience as an EMT may be required</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2018)*</td><td> $34,320 (<i>Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Growth (2016-2026)*</td><td>15% (<i>Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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<h3 id="section---EMTParamedic">EMT-Paramedic</h3>
<p>What education is needed to become a paramedic? To become a certified paramedic, you must enroll in either an accredited certificate paramedic program or a two-year program that awards an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in paramedic studies. You may not need an EMT-Intermediate license to enroll in a paramedic program, but you must at least have an EMT-Basic license. You must also meet anatomy and physiology course requirements, either as prerequisites or as part of the paramedic program.
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<p>As a paramedic student, your coursework includes topics like pharmacology and toxicology. You also learn paramedic skills, such as how to interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), administer medicines, perform endotracheal intubations, and use sophisticated medical equipment. Clinical fieldwork is another portion of your training, and typically takes place in both ambulatory and hospital settings.
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<h3 id="section---HowToBecomeAnEMTOtherEMTEducationLevels">How to Become an EMT: Other EMT Education Levels</h3>
<p>EMT-paramedic education begins with training, certification, and experience at one of the more basic EMT levels. The training requirements for EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate licensing are outlined below:
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<h3 id="section---EMTBasic">EMT-Basic</h3>
<p>With a high school diploma in hand, you can begin the education required to become an EMT-Basic as long as you are 18 years of age or older (children under 18 years who are interested in the EMT field may consider becoming a <a href="http://learn.org/articles/What_is_a_Junior_EMT.html">Junior EMT</a>). You may find an accredited program at your local community college or hospital. EMT-Basic students take 110 hours or more of classroom instruction plus field training in a hospital emergency room or with an ambulance crew. Field training requirements vary by state.
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<p>This program can be completed in one semester if taken on a full-time basis. EMT-Basic courses emphasize patient assessment, respiratory care, and cardiac care. You must pass the NREMT psychomotor (practical) exam to become a certified EMT-Basic.
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<h3 id="section---EMTIntermediate">EMT-Intermediate</h3>
<p>To be considered for entry into an EMT-Intermediate program, you must be currently certified as an EMT-Basic. You also may need to provide verification of experience in the field, a background check, and proof of current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. Courses emphasize clinical skills, advanced life support, and pre-hospital care.</p>