Flight paramedic

[lostnumber]

hey everyone!

A quick background. I am 23 years old and have worked security at a local hospital. The job has given me great exposure to the medical field. Whether its working with "frequent fliers" and other patients in the ED to working on a secure mental health unit I've enjoyed the job, however its time to move on.

One of my favorite jobs as security was to assist with medical flights. All I did was carry bags, monitors, oxygen tanks etc. but it left a profound inmapct on me.

I talked with my birth dad about being a paramedic (hes a recently certified tactical paramedic) and after some more research I was sold.

I'm signed up for emt-b courses this fall at a local community college and am exicited to start.

on to the topic...

Assuming I work as an emt-b for a while and still like the job enough to continue on to emt-p...



what are the chances of becoming flight paramedic (i understand its highly competative but how competative)

any "my experience was..." in becoming a flight paramedic/nurse.

How is the pay/hours/benifits of a flight paramedic position?

and what do the transistions look like from paramedic to nursing, PA, other medical fields?




feel free to comment on one or all or none! just assesing my options. Thanks!

 

[phideux]

I don't know much about the flight aspect, so the only comment I have on that is, locally, depending on where you are trying to get in, they require 3-5yrs exp.
You mention transitioning from Medic to Nurse or PA. Is Nurse or PA your final goal? If so and you still want the Medic certs, get your nurse or PA first, it is easier to transition from Nurse/PA to medic, instead of the other way around.

 

[medicsb]

As mentioned, they usually require 3-5 years of "busy" 911 experience. Depending on the area or service it may not be so much competitive, but more so who you know.

 

[akflightmedic]

If you want it, it is going to take time and a lot of hard work. This is a long term goal...plan on being a flight medic when you hit your early 30s.

EMT Basic
EMT Paramedic (College Degree)
MINIMUM 3 years (5 is the normal) experience as a medic in a high volume system
Obtain FP-C
Obtain CCEMT-P
All the alphabet courses
Instructor status in the above courses is helpful

This is what you need to be competitive. The above plan should take you about 8 years to complete. Now you are ready to start applying for positions.

The job itself...the pay is usually the same as a street medic. There are some which pay more or have great benefits, but overall it is the same. Hours, benefits...like any job depend on the program you work for.

If you want more guidance, more knowledge...hop over to flightweb.com and start exploring. Look at the discussions going on there, look at the case studies being kicked around. It is an entirely different ball game than what you will see here.

Yes it is fun, yes it is rewarding. But you have to work hard for it and not get impatient.

And if this is not your end goal, I highly recommend you do NOT start here. If you want to nurse, PA or doc...go do that stuff first. Otherwise you are more likely to never get around to it.

It is much easier to become a nurse, get the experience..great pay and benefits...and then cross over to EMS. You will have far more opportunity and flexibility in life going that route IF that is your goal.

If PA is your goal, charge ahead and get that first. Being a medic first and working for years is not gonna do anything for you other than delay your program entry date.

 

[lostnumber]

woo!

Thanks for the input! Its one of those things that I'll put in the work one step at a time and see what happens.

 

[CANMAN]

If you want it, it is going to take time and a lot of hard work. This is a long term goal...plan on being a flight medic when you hit your early 30s.

EMT Basic
EMT Paramedic (College Degree)
MINIMUM 3 years (5 is the normal) experience as a medic in a high volume system
Obtain FP-C
Obtain CCEMT-P
All the alphabet courses
Instructor status in the above courses is helpful

This is what you need to be competitive. The above plan should take you about 8 years to complete. Now you are ready to start applying for positions.

The job itself...the pay is usually the same as a street medic. There are some which pay more or have great benefits, but overall it is the same. Hours, benefits...like any job depend on the program you work for.

If you want more guidance, more knowledge...hop over to flightweb.com and start exploring. Look at the discussions going on there, look at the case studies being kicked around. It is an entirely different ball game than what you will see here.

Yes it is fun, yes it is rewarding. But you have to work hard for it and not get impatient.

And if this is not your end goal, I highly recommend you do NOT start here. If you want to nurse, PA or doc...go do that stuff first. Otherwise you are more likely to never get around to it.

It is much easier to become a nurse, get the experience..great pay and benefits...and then cross over to EMS. You will have far more opportunity and flexibility in life going that route IF that is your goal.

If PA is your goal, charge ahead and get that first. Being a medic first and working for years is not gonna do anything for you other than delay your program entry date.

Yeah this pretty much sums it up. I would also add that depending on your flight service area and what the primary mission is, to try and obtain some critical care transport experience as well. You must be a strong field medic but critical care experience will also give you an edge in the interview process. At least where I am from. Hospital based > Private service as far as pay goes. Around my way flight pay is typically lower then field EMS providers if you are private service.