Paramedics need to be able to think fast and respond rationally during tense emergency situations. They also need to possess a desire to help others. High school students considering a career as a paramedic might want to take coursework in the physical and biological sciences in preparation for paramedic training. Courses in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) also help. Being physically fit is considered an important attribute for paramedics.
Education programs for paramedics and EMTs are offered at community colleges, technical schools and universities or through hospitals or public safety academies. Students typically progress through the levels of emergency medical training starting with EMT-Basic and progressing to Intermediate and then Paramedic. Paramedic programs are often offered as two-year associate's degree programs.
EMT-Basic training includes around 120 hours of classes. Students learn to assess patients and provide basic emergency care, such as managing respiratory problems, dealing with bleeding, stabilizing fractures and responding to cardiac emergencies. Students participate in both classroom study and practical training. A cognitive and practical exam is administered at the end of the Basic training.
Intermediate training includes about 40 hours of classes beyond the EMT-Basic. Students acquire more advanced emergency care skills including using airway devices and administering intravenous fluids. Similar to Basic training, a cognitive and practical exam is given upon completion of Intermediate training.
Paramedic is the advanced level of emergency medical training. Paramedic education requires about 1,000 hours of classes in total (including Basic and Intermediate training). Training programs often provide students with the opportunity to spend time in an emergency room or ambulance. Students learn crisis intervention, how to handle hazardous materials, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, patient assessment and airway management. Completion of a state-approved Paramedic course is required for certification.
While exact licensing and certification requirements vary by state, most states do require paramedics to be certified at some level by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Some states may require their own licensing exam. NREMT certification requires passing a cognitive exam covering trauma, EMT operations, airway obstructions and other care topics, as well as a practical (or psychomotor) exam testing skills such as patient assessment and administering intravenous fluids.