Paramedic Question

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TheCourier

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I don't want to be a paramedic as a job but I want to learn all the skills an EMT-P does without actually having to go through with it as a career. (I already have a job I'd like to stay in)

Are there any options other than training to become an EMT-P as if I were going to go into it as a career? Again, I want to learn to do everything an EMT-P does, but without having to do it as a job.

Odd question, I know.
 
You could read the books?

Why exactly do you want to know the skills if you don't want to practice?

You won't be able to use any of the skills outside of basic first aid unless you are affiliated with an agency and work under a medical director. You can't exactly be a "lone gun" so to speak and run around intubating and giving drugs just because you know how.

Have you considered volunteering?
 
You could read the books?

Why exactly do you want to know the skills if you don't want to practice?

You won't be able to use any of the skills outside of basic first aid unless you are affiliated with an agency and work under a medical director. You can't exactly be a "lone gun" so to speak and run around intubating and giving drugs just because you know how.

Have you considered volunteering?
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I find it all quite interesting, and I've always wanted have paramedic-level medical skills, more than the typical CPR class.

Is it possible to get the training of a paramedic without actually intending to work as one?
 
TheCourier said:
I find it all quite interesting, and I've always wanted have paramedic-level medical skills, more than the typical CPR class.

Is it possible to get the training of a paramedic without actually intending to work as one?
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Yes you can enroll in the class and go through without taking the licensing exams. It usually takes around 2 years with clinicals.

Just an FYI, you won't be able to legally use these skills on the public with the exception of CPR and basic first aid.

If you come across a car accident and shove a needle into some ones chest just because you can, you can expect some bad fallout.

Speaking of fallout, is "TheCourier" a reference to FallOut New Vegas? Is this some sort of post apocalyptic prep? Or do I play to many video games?
 
allowed, yes. But for the life of me, i dont know why you would. It is ALOT of training, rotations, money, time ect for someone to go through. It is not as hard as it used to be, but far from easy. It's not something you would want to do on a whim!
There are alot of volunteer services that you can sign up for to find out about the "lifestyle" first hand.
In order to keep up your skills, you have to constantly train, and use them. The emt-basic class can be done in several months, and the test is fairly easy. That would give you training above a cpr level. and it is alot easier/cheaper to keep up with!

hope this helps.

D
 
paradave911 said:
It is ALOT of training
hope this helps.
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ehhh, id say its just enough, but still not enough.




On a more serious note...

You wanna do it, than do it. Randomly coming on here asking for a place to essentially learn to administer medications is a recipe for disaster... its just a bit sketchy in my book. Sorry.
 
Speaking of fallout, is "TheCourier" a reference to FallOut New Vegas? Is this some sort of post apocalyptic prep? Or do I play to many video games?
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It's funny you say that, as I've played that game! But that wasn't why I made TheCourier my name on here, I actually happen to be a courier. I'd bet there's not many others on here (if at all) so I put "the" in front of it.
 
NYMedic828 said:
ehhh, id say its just enough, but still not enough.




On a more serious note...

You wanna do it, than do it. Randomly coming on here asking for a place to essentially learn to administer medications is a recipe for disaster... its just a bit sketchy in my book. Sorry.
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these days, you are not kidding!!! used to mean something to pass the paramedic test!! states have up'd the fees, and dumbed down the education requirements!!
 
so...

No one else finds it strange that someone randomly has the desire to learn to stick needles in things for no real reason?
 
TheCourier said:
I don't want to be a paramedic as a job but I want to learn all the skills an EMT-P does without actually having to go through with it as a career. (I already have a job I'd like to stay in)

Are there any options other than training to become an EMT-P as if I were going to go into it as a career? Again, I want to learn to do everything an EMT-P does, but without having to do it as a job.

Odd question, I know.
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Quick clarification... are you looking for EMT-level or Paramedic-level skills-- because there is a distinction?
With training/education as an EMT, you would have the basics of patient assessment, management of life threatening injuries and an introduction to transport of these patients to a hospital. EMT classes generally teach skills such as healthcare provider level CPR, extremity splinting, spinal immobilization and extrication, patient assessment skills, basic medication administration, etc. EMT classes generally take 1-4 months, including a little hospital and ambulance observation.

If you're looking for paramedic skills, expect more of an education, including endotracheal intubation, IV insertion, administration of 20-40 medications, and much more. It's generally several months of didactic (classroom) and practical education, followed by hospital clinicals (OR, ED, OB, SICU, etc), and several months of ride time (with an ambulance service).
 
NYMedic828 said:
so...

No one else finds it strange that someone randomly has the desire to learn to stick needles in things for no real reason?
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I do.

If the OP wants to BE a paramedic then fine.

If he's not going to use the skills, in my book there's no reason for him to take up a classroom seat, let alone clinical time. If he gets trained he's going to want to use the skills.

So what's the hidden agenda here TheCourier? Something is not being said.
 
So what's the hidden agenda here TheCourier? Something is not being said.
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I kind of want to volunteer as a paramedic here (rural louisiana) but I don't want to do it as a career. I already work as a volunteer firefighter but I'd like to have more skills. I'm not hiding anything.
 
TheCourier said:
I don't want to be a paramedic as a job but I want to learn all the skills an EMT-P does without actually having to go through with it as a career. (I already have a job I'd like to stay in)

Are there any options other than training to become an EMT-P as if I were going to go into it as a career? Again, I want to learn to do everything an EMT-P does, but without having to do it as a job.

Odd question, I know.
Click to expand...

TheCourier said:
I find it all quite interesting, and I've always wanted have paramedic-level medical skills, more than the typical CPR class.

Is it possible to get the training of a paramedic without actually intending to work as one?
Click to expand...

From these quotes you seem like you want to train as a medic then never use the training or do anything with it, thus the sketchy comments

TheCourier said:
I kind of want to volunteer as a paramedic here (rural louisiana) but I don't want to do it as a career. I already work as a volunteer firefighter but I'd like to have more skills. I'm not hiding anything.
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now you say you want to work (being a volly medic is still working as one). There are thousands of EMT's and Medics in the US that work a regular job and do EMS on the side as a volly.
 
TheCourier said:
I kind of want to volunteer as a paramedic here (rural louisiana) but I don't want to do it as a career. I already work as a volunteer firefighter but I'd like to have more skills. I'm not hiding anything.
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Nothing personal but I am not buying it.

You volunteer but you don't have anyone to get the answers to such strange questions from? You must encounter EMTs/Medics on a semi regular basis.

You have to take EMT prior to paramedic regardless. You are looking at like 1-2 years to paramedic if you start now.
 
there are a lot of ppl that get there paramedic and never use it. not that strange. goofy, yes. underhanded, not really. I work with LOTS of RN'S that get their paramedic, never step foot on the 'bolance cept for rotations. And no, they cant use their paramedic skills in the ER. We have to work under the nurse's license here in TX.

I don't think he is up to anything, I think he was just wondering if he could get his emtp without doing it for a career. lots of ppl do that.

D
 
I know a lot of paramedics. Seen a lot of paramedic students.

I've never seen one go through the rigors of a paramedic education program simply for the heck of it.

In many places, entry to a paramedic program is competitive, there are numerous prerequisite courses to take, a field internship to complete... Who does that for knowledge "just in case"?
 
TheCourier said:
I don't want to be a paramedic as a job but I want to learn all the skills an EMT-P does without actually having to go through with it as a career. (I already have a job I'd like to stay in)

Are there any options other than training to become an EMT-P as if I were going to go into it as a career? Again, I want to learn to do everything an EMT-P does, but without having to do it as a job.

Odd question, I know.
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If you don't work or train as a paramedic and see patients with some regularity, you will probably do a pretty bad job of it. Card carrying, certified, beating the streets every day Paramedics currently do a pretty bad job of some of the higher level paramedic skills...

Take a first aid class, a CPR class, then a Wilderness First Aid class. That'll do you for every conceivable problem where you could make a difference as a lay person.
 
I have had many paramedic students who go all the way through medic with no intention of using it.

Generally they are looking for "prior healthcare experience" for a PA course or are nurses who want to put it on a resume to help them get a flight position.

Generally, the education level of paramedic will make your assessment better than an EMT or first responder.

Having said that, without equipment you are not really going to intervene in any meaningful way past that of doing CPR, controling bleeding, or making a splint.

In LA the question I was most asked by still alarms was "does this need stitches."

Which is really a relative question. Very few people ever actually "need" sutured but they can benefit from it.

Allowing a wound to remain open, granulate, and scar (aka second intention) is a medical treatment plan. Basically keep it clean and do nothing.

It is not as simple as get the education and buy your own jump kit. Without formal medical direction you would be practicing medicine without a license. In most places that is a felony. (which will definately ruin life as you know it)

You would also be liable for any damages.

In the event you are preparing for the zombie apocalypse, don't waste your time. EMS education is not meant to be "doctor light." Most of the interventions are just temporary until the patient can be transported to a full service hospital. If the world ends, there won't be any functioning hospitals. If there are, it will be filled with people who can actually take long term care of people.

In LA, if you are going to spend the time to get a paramedic card, I suggest getting a job at Acadian.

I don't know what they are paying now-a-days, but it used to be very respectable.

As was covered before, providers who rarely use skills suck at them. Which doesn't help.

To put it into perspective, would you be ok with a surgeon who operates 1 or 2 times a year cutting you open?

Or even decideding when or when not to?
 
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