Yes there are some colleges out there that offer a bachelor's degree in paramedicine or a general health science BS. A good majority of them are through distance education which is great! I've put together a list of them and the links to the programs. If I have any insight to them or other info I'll put my two-cents worth in as always. Hope this helps!
University of South Alabama - www.southalabama.edu/ems/bachelor.html
Loma Linda University (California) - www.llu.edu/allied-health/sahp/emc/index.page
This is not available as a distance education program
San Jose State University - Health Science Degree www.sjsu.edu/healthscience/programs/undergraduate/options/Option_5/
George Washington University (Washington D.C.) - www.gwumc.edu/healthsci/programs/ems_bs/
Eastern Kentucky University - www.justice.eku.edu/ssem/emc/
Northern Kentucky University - Health Science Degree alliedhealth.nku.edu/programs/healthscience/index.php
University of Maryland - Baltimore County - ehs.umbc.edu/
Creighton University (Nebraska) - www.creighton.edu/ems/options/degree/index.php
University of New Mexico - hsc.unm.edu/SOM/emsacad/index.shtml
Western Carolina University - Offers an Emergency Medical Care or Emergency & Disaster Management Degree www.wcu.edu/5699.asp or www.wcu.edu/4637.asp
Youngstown State University (Ohio) - BS in Allied Health offered via Distance Education bchhs.ysu.edu/dhp/ahlth/
Drexel University (Philadelphia)- BS in Health Services Admin, BS Health Sciences, and a certificate in Emergency Management www.drexel.edu/cnhp/health_sciences/pathway_about.asp or www.drexel.edu/cnhp/health_services/about.asp or
www.drexel.edu/goodwin/undergrad/emergencymgt
University of Pittsburgh - www.shrs.pitt.edu/embs/
University of Texas Health Science Center - Emergency Health Science and it's distance education as well! You do not have to have a Texas license in order to enroll
www.utscsa.edu/shp/ehs/
Central Washington State (Washington state...) www.cwu.edu/~hhpn/paramedics.html
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
So, you want to be a flight medic?
Many of you have asked me, "What do I have to do to be a flight medic?" Well what I'll do is disect an ad for a flight paramedic and explain the what and why. Plus I'll share my thoughts and offer any advice.
Position: Flight medic (yeah I know duh!)
Qualifications: Minimum of 5 years experience in a high call volume 911 system. Reason is for the exposure to a large number of patients. Most of these systems are in the larger urban areas and transport times are relatively short. I feel that if you have a mix of urban and rural experience you make a better candidate. Why you ask? Rural areas have longer transport times and you're with your patient longer so you have to think outside the box more often than not.
Must have current ACLS, PALS, CPR (self explanatory). I would encourage PHTLS or ITLS as well. There's also ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support), NRP (Neonatal Resucitation Program), and a whole plethera of other classes. Each flight program has a education system in place and if they require certain classes outside of what is "normal" for a paramedic this will be provided to you. If you like teaching I would STRONGLY encourage getting your instructor status in something you rally enjoy (CPR really doesn't count sorry folks). Make sure you want to teach and you're not trying to pad your resume.
Any critical care experience or even hospital experience is great it gives you a nice balance and understanding of how each piece of the puzzle fits. Some services require you obtain your FP-C (Flight Paramedic Certified) after 2 years of employment. While this exam is challenging it's not impossible. I would also strongly encourage further education in the way of college; not only does it make you a better clinician but it makes you a better person (or so I think).
Now for some more pointers or advice. If this is where you really want to go you have to be committed to it. It is challenging getting a flight position it takes time and effort. I interviewed on three seperate hiring processes before I was hired. Being consistant is a key factor and learning from previous interviews is also important. Even before you interview, do your research on the company or companies you want to work for. Safety is a HUGE factor, along with work schedules, benefits, and the support the service gives their employees.
Don't forget about networking with others and making as many connections as possible. It helps in the long run and you get an inside track on the industry as well as any info on a particular service. Hopefully that helps out some, tell me you thoughts or ask questions.
Position: Flight medic (yeah I know duh!)
Qualifications: Minimum of 5 years experience in a high call volume 911 system. Reason is for the exposure to a large number of patients. Most of these systems are in the larger urban areas and transport times are relatively short. I feel that if you have a mix of urban and rural experience you make a better candidate. Why you ask? Rural areas have longer transport times and you're with your patient longer so you have to think outside the box more often than not.
Must have current ACLS, PALS, CPR (self explanatory). I would encourage PHTLS or ITLS as well. There's also ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support), NRP (Neonatal Resucitation Program), and a whole plethera of other classes. Each flight program has a education system in place and if they require certain classes outside of what is "normal" for a paramedic this will be provided to you. If you like teaching I would STRONGLY encourage getting your instructor status in something you rally enjoy (CPR really doesn't count sorry folks). Make sure you want to teach and you're not trying to pad your resume.
Any critical care experience or even hospital experience is great it gives you a nice balance and understanding of how each piece of the puzzle fits. Some services require you obtain your FP-C (Flight Paramedic Certified) after 2 years of employment. While this exam is challenging it's not impossible. I would also strongly encourage further education in the way of college; not only does it make you a better clinician but it makes you a better person (or so I think).
Now for some more pointers or advice. If this is where you really want to go you have to be committed to it. It is challenging getting a flight position it takes time and effort. I interviewed on three seperate hiring processes before I was hired. Being consistant is a key factor and learning from previous interviews is also important. Even before you interview, do your research on the company or companies you want to work for. Safety is a HUGE factor, along with work schedules, benefits, and the support the service gives their employees.
Don't forget about networking with others and making as many connections as possible. It helps in the long run and you get an inside track on the industry as well as any info on a particular service. Hopefully that helps out some, tell me you thoughts or ask questions.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
My first "offical" blog
Yep this is it my first official blog. My plans for this is to share info on employment opportunities, continuing education, higher education, and various other items related to paramedicine. Occassionally I'll put up random stuff or me feedback on courses I've been to. Let me know what you think.
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