The San Diego Paramedics and The PublicSafetyNet:
So, you want to become a paramedic???

Do you have what it takes???????????????????????????

For more information contact your local fire department or hospital..... Some fire departments have volunteer or reserve programs. Most fire departments and ambulance services offer ride-a-longs. So, not only can you get your questions answered, but you can see what the job description entails.

Before you read any further...: Per the Department of Transportation and The Department of Motor Vehicles, very strict standards are set for certification and employment of Emergency Medical Personnel! Also, most employers; city or private, have other policies that rule out potential problems before employment is granted. Some companies do not hire anyone with excessive "moving violations" from the department of motor vehicles. Also, most agencies refrain from hiring people with health problems that could endanger themselves or others. If a problem is discovered like asthma or an old back injury, an MD will have to draft up a letter verifying the ability to preform the duties of your job description.

Also, most shifts are 24 hours and there are many nights when you will get "no sleep" or very little sleep with many interuptions. We commonly do our reports while our partners drive. So, if you cannot write in a moving vehicle, you will have a problem. We do not get break for lunch or dinner and we eat when we can squeeze it in: Sometimes on the way back to the station. When it rains or snows, day or night, we respond without delays. There are also many physical aspects of the job like carrying peolpe down or up stairs.

This is of course NOT meant to discourage anyone from applying for Emergency Medical or fire suppression training!

I suggest that you do a ride-a-long with your local agency and see what it is like first hand...

If any of the following health problems plague you, then your chances for certification and or employment are difficult if not impossible:

• Back problems.
• Vision problems.
• Chronic acute health disorders like uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Seizure or an epilepsy disorder.
• Diabetes
• Hearing disorders.

And, if you have any of the following convictions on your driving record or if you have a criminal record, certification can be denied:

• Excessive moving violations (speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, excessive accidents, license suspensions or revocations).
• Registered sex offender
• Felonies
• Drug trafficing or sales convictions (including misdermeanors)
• Domestic violence convictions
• Possession of weapons when unlawful

Here is the curriculum needed in most states for a paramedic license or certification:

Most of the following are prerequisite or mandatory requirements for course completion and certification and ultimately licensing...

• First, you have to take a first aid class like the one that the Red Cross offers... 4 weeks or so... one or two nights a week.
• Then an E.M.T. class that takes about 4 months at 2 nites per week. with 2 midterms and 2 final exams and many quizzes ( Community College ).
• Also a basic CPR class and test ( American Heart Association ).
• And Emergency Room time: 16 hours minimum.
• And Ambulance Ride a Long time: 16 hours minimum.
• And a practical test ( hands on use of equip and skills ).
• Then the County or State test and or a National Registration test ( written exam and a skills maniplulative practicle - oral exam ).
• Then a state Drivers License test ( Dept. of Motor Vehicles-emergency drivers test - written ).
• Then a Medical Examiners physical exam for the Dept. of Motor Vehicles...
• Then job interviews and a test of strength and knowledge ( written, pratical, and physical ).
• ALL THIS TO GET AN E.M.T. POSITION @ about 7.50 to 9.50 per hour to start..........
• THEN!
  After you work for about 6 months, you can interview for a paramedic program ( oral interview ).
• And, usually a written test: the E.M.T. final exam and a Medical Terminology test.
• It is best to take a Medical Terminology college class during the Six months period of work as an E.M.T.
• Also, most programs request an Anatomy and Physiology college course with an 80 % or better grade as a pre-requisite for Paramedic school. This is a one semesater course.
• Then 4 -6 months of school at 8 hours per day of classroom 3 times per week with at least 16 hours of study time for each day of class... ( two - three hours study for each hour of class time, minimum ).... It is not uncommon to study four hours for every class hour. Some programs run on a differnet schedule: 5 days per week or 10 - 20 days per month. Regardless, it all adds up to the same total hours.
• Many daily test and exams and quizzes. Midterms and Final exams per "blocks" of education or area of study like cardiology, phramcology, medico-legal, ect.
• Advance CPR and Cardiac Life Support and American Heart Association Certification. ( Written and practical skills test )
• Then 6 weeks of Hospital time; E.R., O.R., I.C.U., Labor & Delivery: ( work with a licensed nurse for 8 to 12 hour per day practicing clinical skills, patient assesments and at approx 40 hours per week at no pay ).
• Then, 22, twenty four hour shifts as a paramedic in training on an ambulance with two partners, one is your preceptor, the other is an assistant instructor. You are required to preform as a paramedic from the first shift. Your preceptor will generally not intervein unless you lose control of the call... ( no pay )
• Then a final exam ( usually The National Registry Paramedic Exam - written and skills practical ).
• Then more interviews and hopefully you get a job starting at about 7.50 to 10.00 per hour...
• And then, more education known as "continuing education" to equal at leat 24 hour per year.

WOW, I hope I did not forget anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The biggest hurdle is getting the job..... There is an excess of paramedics graduating from schools and sometimes there are not enough positions for all of them. This is where the INTERVIEW really counts. You could be the top of your class and not interview well... So, guess what: Interview training!!!!! More classes or training................ and time.............

And if you are fortunate to get hired by a fire department, they will send you to a "Fire Academy." Not enough time to discuss that now. But, it usually is a 14 week program with classes and training every day except for the weekends. Most programs are broken up into class room and practical - physical training with hoses, ladders and fire fighting tools and equipment. The days are 8 hours and extrememely demanding, both physically and mentally.

The harsh reality is that there are not enough jobs out there. If you are a paramedic and meet the qualifications, you can almost guarantee an applicationfor employment. Then after you complete the written and practical test and pass the physical exam and background check and interview, you can become a successfull candidate for employment. And, it is a very competitive process...

And, the pay is not that great considering the amount of schooling and continued education and the responsibility and liabilities. But the job is very rewarding and challenging and exciting.

Good luck! Study with a commitment...

Paramedic Programs in San Diego

• E.M.S.T.A.
  Mailing address: EMSTA, Inc
  PO Box 21894 El Cajon, CA 92021
  Classroom address: 1068 Broadway, Suite 202
  El Cajon, California
  (619) 59-EMSTA (619) 593-6782
• Southwestern College - Paramedic Program
  Southwestern College - Tech & Human Services
  900 Otay Lakes Rd.
  Chula Vista, CA 91910
  (619) 421-6700 ext. 5491
• Palomar College - Paramedic Program
  Palomar College - Emergency Medical Program
  1951 E. Valley Pkwy.
  Escondido, CA 92027
  (760) 744-1150 ext. 8150
• Miramar College - Emergency Medical & Fire Technology Program
  Miramar College - Fire Techology
  4347 N. Harbor Dr.
  San Diego, CA 92101
  (619) 523-2929
• FIRE SCIENCE PROGRAMS
  Guide to Schools Offering Fire Science Degrees

Thank you for your interest...

by Mitch Mendler E.M.T. Paramedic FireFighter

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