Medical Training for Health

Archive for the ‘Paramedic’ Category

In Texas, paramedics are the top level of emergency medical technicians. They are charged with the responsibility of stabilizing patients at the point of injury or other medical emergency and also while transporting them to the hospital. Paramedics work in conjunction with other emergency response personnel like police and firefighters.

Identification
1. Becoming a paramedic in Texas requires that you be at least 18 years old, have completed high school or have a GED certificate, successfully completed an EMS training course approved by the state, as well as pass the National Registry Exam. In order to be licensed as a paramedic, you must also prove that you have a two-year EMT degree or a four-year degree in any field.

Types
2. There are four levels of certification in Texas. Becoming a licensed paramedic is the highest, then EMT-intermediate, EMT-basic and ECA, or emergency care attendant. Training for each level of emergency response personnel is offered online and at community colleges across the state.

Training programs usually last between 750 and 2,000 hours for EMTs and paramedics. You may also qualify for certification based on previous job training or education, depending on the level of licensing you are interested in.

Function
3. Paramedics are typically employed by hospitals or fire houses. Training for paramedics in Texas begins with the lower-level EMT positions. After successfully completing a two-year course in classes like emergency medical services, pre-hospital pharmacology, disaster response, basic EKG and CPR for health care providers, among others, you can then enroll in a specialized paramedic training course. Paramedics work in the field and are supervised by doctors working in the hospital. Read the rest of this entry »