Paramedic

Training

Paramedics receive at least two years of intensive training. Many universities now offer four-year degrees in emergency medical services, but as a relatively young industry, professional standards and training levels are still evolving.

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Paramedics are trained to deal with a broad range of emergency medical situations. These include: obstetrics, cardiac, airway and breathing, a vast array of medical emergencies, orthopedics, psychological and mental health emergencies, pediatrics, trauma, vehicle extrication, communications, intravenous therapy, pharmacology, and advanced cardiac life support. In addition, most locales require paramedics to attend an ongoing schedule of refresher courses in order to maintain their license and/or certification.

Related Topics:
Obstetrics - Cardiac - Airway - Breathing - Medical - Orthopedics - Psychological - Mental health - Pediatrics - Vehicle extrication - Communications - Intravenous - Pharmacology - Advanced cardiac life support

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Specifically, paramedics are trained in intubation, including pharmacologically assisted intubation and increasingly in rapid sequence induction, advanced cardiac life support, including cardiac monitoring, 12-lead electrocardiograms, synchronized cardioversion and transcutaneous pacing; pediatric advanced life support, intravenous cannulation, needle chest decompression, needle cricothyroidotomy, and the administration of a wide range of medications such as nitroglycerin, benzodiazepines such as lorazepam, opioids and dextrose.

Related Topics:
Intubation - Pharmacologically assisted intubation - Rapid sequence induction - Advanced cardiac life support - Electrocardiogram - Cardioversion - Lorazepam - Opioid - Dextrose

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The National Registry requires continuing education and clinical skill verification for biannual recertification of both EMT-Basic and paramedic-level personnel. Many states offer reciprocity to individuals who obtain licensure through the National Registry by offering, through a nominal fee or examination, a state equivalent emergency provider license without the need to repeat formal training.

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