Preparing for Paramedic School?

[EPFD112]

Background: I'm currently certified as a Basic, Awaiting test results from the Intermediate class I just finished. I've been an EMT for about 14 months. As far as field experience, I've been with a volunteer rescue squad the entire time, and have probably run 200 or so calls with them as an EMT since getting my card. I worked last summer at a theme park/concert venue, and I got hired 2 months ago working full time at a fairly busy ambulance company that handles both IFTs and 911 calls. I'm planning on starting Paramedic school in fall of 2014. The reason for waiting a year is to get some more experience as a Basic/Intermediate, and to allow myself to complete some basic college classes at a community college. The paramedic program does not require college experience to get in, but I figure it will be helpful.

Questions:

1.) What college classes should I take? I'm already planning on Math, English, and Chemistry, but I'm definitely open to taking more. I'd love an anatomy class but the school I'm attending doesn't offer one.

2.) Is there anything else I can do in the time before starting paramedic school to prepare for it? Books to read? Things I should learn? People I should talk to?

3.) I'm still looking at how I'm going to Pay for paramedic school. My employer will not pay for it. I've been told that financial aid (Fafsa) won't cover it because it's a certificate and not a degree program. I'm in NY so I can get some help for being a volunteer fireman, but I need to look into it. So.. how did you pay for medic school? And does anyone from NY have experience with FASNY HELP tuition reimbursement?.

4.) If there is anyone here from WNY that has experience with the paramedic programs at either ECC or MCC, please shoot me a PM as I have more questions specifically about the two schools.

 

[joshrunkle35]

I live in Ohio and many of the paramedic programs are courses that are good toward an associates degree. Meaning something like EMS 401, 402 and 403 (made those up) all together would complete a paramedic program, but are also 3 classes that are good for 30 credits toward a 60 credit associates degree, or similar. You might want to check with other nearby community colleges. Taking paramedic classes toward a degree would qualify for FAFSA.

Many colleges that have EMS programs now have "paramedic prep" courses. These are basically a brief breakdown on stuff you'll see in Paramedic like Metabolic Acidosis, Respiratory Alkalosis, etc... I took a course like this, and did have to study hard to get an A. If I could do it all over again, I would study well beyond getting an A, and really know that type of material. It is really the foundation for everything you will learn in paramedic school.

An EKG/ECG course will help. It might be easier to learn the first time in a 3-4 month format than in a 3-4 week format. Though, you could also just study your butt off in medic school for this one.

A pharmacology course would really help. Having a basic understanding of some common drugs, how they work on the body, what their common usages are, common dosages are, contraindications, etc, would be a great foundation for learning pharmacology in medic school. You could also just study your butt off in medic school for this one.

A medical terminology course would be really short and helpful. My school had a self-paced one that was only like one credit, and I completed it in about 3 days, but it was helpful to remember a few words I'd forgotten over time.

A really good anatomy course will make things easier down the road and will not only help you understand the body, but will make you sound smarter!

Chemistry, biology, math, etc, won't really matter much if you take a paramedic prep course and study your butt off.