Rising standards, or common - paramedic school

[Achromatic]

I've read a lot here, and myself felt, a lot of derision at some of the standards offered by private and other schools for EMT-B, and EMT-P.

I wanted to list what's known around my area as the 'best' of local schools to get EMT-P training, and what their reqs are, and get a feel for how common it was, or uncommon, as the case may be.

Tacoma CC (http://www.tacomacc.edu/academics/areasofstudy/paramedic/)'s paramedic program has the following pre-reqs:


English 101, Math 090
Current EMT-B cert
Current CPR cert
Medical Terminology, Human Biology with Lab
2-3 letters of recommendation from superiors or other health professionals who are directly involved and familiar with your work as an EMT
Documentation of EMT experience on agency letterhead, including length, and number of patient contacts
A minimum of 1 yr EMT experience prior to the registration date

All this before they'll even accept your tuition check. Seems like a good sign, seems far in excess of what a lot of schools will go with - or is that just my perception?

[JPINFV]

No anatomy requriment (either prereq or graduation requirment)?
No physiology requirment?
No other science requirment past a basic human biology course?

[Achromatic]

No anatomy requriment (either prereq or graduation requirment)?
No physiology requirment?
No other science requirment past a basic human biology course?

Nice catches. I know that for the AAS degree there are requirements for a further full year of sciences... but nicely observed.

[Dominion]

Take whatever class you feel will best fit you and fill in the gaps later or before if you have to. My current plan is to finish my paramedic, then i'm thinking Fall 2010 or Spring 2011 enrolling in community college and taking A&P, Med Terminology (If offered), Pharm (if offered), and statistics (I've already had one but it was more IT oriented). I've already got a background in science, chemistry, etc up to the mid 300's and a couple 400 level courses. I've had technical writing, three college level english comp classes, pyschology, and medical ethics. If you haven't had ANY of these courses, they are good recommendations to get you started.

[medic417]

Take whatever class you feel will best fit you and fill in the gaps later or before if you have to. My current plan is to finish my paramedic, then i'm thinking Fall 2010 or Spring 2011 enrolling in community college and taking A&P, Med Terminology (If offered), Pharm (if offered), and statistics (I've already had one but it was more IT oriented). I've already got a background in science, chemistry, etc up to the mid 300's and a couple 400 level courses. I've had technical writing, three college level english comp classes, pyschology, and medical ethics. If you haven't had ANY of these courses, they are good recommendations to get you started.

Sure just take the 10 week Paramedic mill course. Later on you can get your education. :wacko:

I hope people realize they should get education first. I would hate to know I killed someone because I selfishly took the easy way to get started. Also realistically most will not go back and fill in the deep gaps of education they are lacking. I got my patch and a check who needs anything else.

[SanDiegoEmt7]

-Microbiology?
-Biochemistry?
-Psychology?
-Physiology w/ lab?
-Humanities/English (greater than one semester)?

to list a few of the common requirements for other health care fields

[atropine]

Sure just take the 10 week Paramedic mill course. Later on you can get your education. :wacko:

I hope people realize they should get education first. I would hate to know I killed someone because I selfishly took the easy way to get started. Also realistically most will not go back and fill in the deep gaps of education they are lacking. I got my patch and a check who needs anything else.

Relax homeboy it's just a stepping stone job, it's not going to kill anybody if you have to waite and get a&p a little later.

[Dominion]

Sure just take the 10 week Paramedic mill course. Later on you can get your education. :wacko:

I hope people realize they should get education first. I would hate to know I killed someone because I selfishly took the easy way to get started. Also realistically most will not go back and fill in the deep gaps of education they are lacking. I got my patch and a check who needs anything else.

I already have a strong background in the sciences and am fortunate enough to have chosen a quality program that does more than just "oh btw you have organs". Ideally you want to get these pre-reqs out of the way but sometimes cards don't fall down in the perfect order. If you have a strong science background and a program that does a better job than most with it's A&P then you may be comfortable attending an A&P class directly after your paramedic program or concurrently with.

I do agree, most people will not be so inclined to go back to finish out those classes. It's really up to the individual if they will do that. Regardless of how people feel on paramedic education in the US it still stands the OP could go out, join a 10 week mill program and as you say "Patch and a check I'm good." What I offered up is one solution to someone who feels dedicated enough and DOES have some kind of background in sciences and other useful courses.

[medic417]

Relax homeboy it's just a stepping stone job, it's not going to kill anybody if you have to waite and get a&p a little later.

Dopamine, Dobutamine or whoever you are based on whichever site you are on you are spreading bad advise. I am sorry you care so little for the people you claim to treat. And yes failure to know what why how etc can kill people.

[Dominion]

Dopamine, Dobutamine or whoever you are based on whichever site you are on you are spreading bad advise. I am sorry you care so little for the people you claim to treat. And yes failure to know what why how etc can kill people.

I'm thinking his comment is sarcasm, atleast I think it is :P

[medic417]

I'm thinking his comment is sarcasm, atleast I think it is :P

Nope she spouts that crap on multiple sites under various drug names.

[Dominion]

Nope she spouts that crap on multiple sites under various drug names.

Ah I see....well then.

[HotelCo]

The only pre-req for my school's medic program was EMT, or succesful completeion of their EMT program (license not needed to start the program). Now, I've heard they've added a math req, and an anatomy req.

[Ridryder911]

Relax homeboy it's just a stepping stone job, it's not going to kill anybody if you have to waite and get a&p a little later.

I do want to thank you! I am one of the few that do understand your points of satire as I am sure you really agree no one would be that ignorant or stupid to really think that.

R/r 911