Do you keep your cool in emergency situations? Do you have excellent physical coordination? Are you strong enough to lift heavy loads? Is your eyesight good?
If you answered "yes" to those questions, you are a physical match for an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and Paramedic degree candidate.
EMS and paramedic personnel are often the first to respond to emergencies and disasters and play a key role in lives saved. The work is always fast-paced and is sometimes dangerous- certainly it's never boring.
Of course, in addition to the physical requirements, you'll need some knowledge in First Aid, CPR, the use of medical diagnostic and treatment equipment and other life-saving tools and techniques; that's where an online EMS and Paramedic Degree will come in handy.
An EMS and Paramedic professional's work is physically strenuous and can be emotionally stressful. Despite the challenges, the rewards that come with saving lives can make it all worth it.
Degree Choices
Certificate. While you can always get an Associate's or Bachelor's in the health field, to become a paramedic, a certificate will suffice.
Of course Certification can be the first step. In fact, usually there are three levels in EMS certification. The first, Level 1, is often called "First Responders." As the name implies, they are the ones first on the scene and have enough knowledge to assess the patient, manage cardiac emergencies, attend to respiratory problems and address trauma situations. They often accompany the patient on the way to the hospital or clinic.
At the intermediate level, an EMS and Paramedic student would go on to learn how to interpret an EKG, how to inject fluids, how to administer basic medications and how to use advance devices to clear airways.
If you choose to study at the highest level, you'll learn how to administer medications to treat cardiac arrest, diabetic reactions, allergic reactions and respiratory complications.
Regardless of which level you choose, you will need a basic core course load that teaches health, anatomy, physiology, biology and emergency medicine.
Additionally, like many health professionals, EMS and Paramedic degree holders are required to take continuing education classes to maintain their certification. Some require the student to spend a certain amount of hours in hospital emergency rooms and in ambulances to get on-the-job training.
Career and Salary Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for EMS and Paramedic specialists is expected to rise 19% over the next seven years. That's far above the national average for many sectors.
The reason given for the rise is the increase in population and density in most cities. Of course there are more opportunities and better job security for those with the highest level of certification.
BLS breaks down the certificate to salary ratio as follows:
EMS-Basic: $19,000-$25,000
EMS-Intermediate: $24,000-$32,000
EMS-Paramedics: $35,000-$40,000
Paramedics with Associate's Degree: $40,000-$65,000
EMS Bachelor's Degree: $40,000-$80,000
It should be noted that in addition to education level, salaries are dependent on geographic locations and experience levels.
