AMESEMT

Well, I have been passing all the quizes and exams with the A&P on it. We started EKGs this week, and the A&P stuff is definately helpful (like the CNS and ANS) for the effects of drugs and why they work and how they work on the body. Rather interesting. Oh, we also started IV's this week and I got my first two stick on a person (only had to stick them once, they were successful!). That was fun. Thanks everyone for the advice and words of encouragement! Like always, I will keep everyone updated and if I have questions I know where to turn! (Especially for EKGs)! Ames

Right now I am in a medic class at University of Iowa/EMSLRC with a girl from Washington. The program (classroom portion) is only 3 months long. She relocated for the 3 months and will go back to washington where she will complete her clinical and field internships. University of Iowa/EMSLRC It is the Paramedic Specialist program (EMT-P). Iowa is a little strange on naming but it is the paramedic program. They don't require any experience other than just having your EMT-B card. I am in the program right now and I am LOVING IT! I would have to say it is the #1 program for the Midwest. I have heard that people from around the country as well as a few from around the world have come here to go through the program. If you have any questions just pm me and I will be happy to answer them. Ames

Easy there Dust. They don't have their curriculum on the website, but they do follow the national standard curriculum for paramedics. They have been doing this for at least 20 years. Their website is: http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/emslrc/p...html#specialist The program they put on is not easy. The instructors are under the direction of the Emergency Medicine Chair of the University of Iowa Hospitals. It is a great teaching hospital all around. Not only do we get our training, but we are exposed (told about) to the latest and greatest in EMS research, and get lectures on the variety of subjects paramedics need to know by the experts in that particular field. Like one of our instructors is working on hypertonic solution for trauma victims. So far it is showing promising results here in Iowa, in California (I believe), and Canada. So not all "short" programs are bad. Mobey Paramedic education programs vary in length by what I have heard and seen (paramedic is the highest level). The entire course for me (diactic, clinical, and field) is roughly 9 months in length. From January 2nd to April 11th we are in the classroom, from April 12th to May 30th we are in clinical, then from May 31st to August 8th we are scheduled for field. (The times vary on if you get the skills and patient contacts you need and even doing the clinical and field depends on if you pass the final for the class). Of course there are other designations you can get in addition (this is where I get a little fuzzy), but paramedic is the highest level. From what I understand (Dust correct me if I am wrong) the other additional education you can get is a critical care paramedic (at least for ground). (Is that right Dust? I have heard of the flight paramedic but that is aero and it focuses on more flight side of things, and most require a CCP?).

No, the 4 months right now is the class room portion. We go until April 11th, then have internships from April 12th to roughly August 8th. The program has been operating this way for years and is put on through a med school (University of Iowa/EMSLRC). Ames

I am done with three weeks, and only 12 more to go!! I am loving it! I have to say, it is impressive on how much paramedics really have to know about a lot of stuff. Like how much they needed how and why things work, how some injuries occur, etc. (i.e. drugs, kinematics, etc.) It is truly amazing, my hat goes off to those in this profession. I have passed my first 3 exams with flying colors, so I am truly learning a lot. I am glad I decided to go to paramedic school! Thanks for all the support! Ames

Thanks for the tips. You will all be glad to know I passed the first major exam with a 92% (we have to get an 80% to be consider passing). I would have gotten higher but I goofed on two questions (teaches me to read more carefully). I am LOVING it!!!!!! This past week we learned about quite a few things but the two highlights were IV/other med routes and intubation. I am a little nervous about Monday since we actually practice on each other. Any good tips for the first time poking someone with an IV catheter? Thanks! Ames

Good tips! I am an accountant (not CPA) and in my tax class from last semester it is only beneficial to deduct things for work (i.e. mileage in excess from home to work, work portion of cell phone/computer/internet, clothes, etc.) if they exceed your standard deduction (single is 5350, married 10700). Like for me, I don't itemize since I don't have enough deductions for it to make sense. Education expenses are tricky. The tuition to become a paramedic you can't deduct (if I am remembering right) because you have to have that training to operate at that level. So if education is a requirement for a job, then it is not deductible (at least itemizable). But if you really want to do try and deduct stuff from you taxes, see a professional. They are the most up to date on tax law/codes and can find some really nifty ways to save you money. Good luck and be smart (don't want the IRS after you)! Ames

Thanks for the vote of confidence and knowing that other people felt the same way! I have 2 roommates that are in the same program and we have been studying together. They don't quite understand it as well. We have not gone over the material in class yet, so that is part of the problem. I am the type of person that likes to understand and know the material after I read it (or re-read it in this case) before going into the lecture. But we are spending a day and a half on it and are being taught by a guy that really know his stuff and is a good teacher (by what I have heard). I will keep everyone updated! Ames P.S. I am loving medic school besides the terminology!

Surprisingly the pathophsyiology is not too bad, it is the physiology and anatomy (somewhat) that is indepth. Yea, I see why A & P should be taken prior to paramedic school. My problem is the remembering all the technical names for things. I understand the vast majority of the concepts just not what they are named. Like plasma oncotic pressure or some of the mechanisms for regulating certain minerals like renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The names are hard to remember. Flash cards i guess could come in handy! Thanks for the vote of confidence! Ames

So it is only day 4 for medic class and I want to rip my hair out! We are reading up on anatomy and physiology, as well as pathophysiology. The books get into so much depth that it makes me feel stupid! When you (paramedics or other paramedic students) where a student, did you feel the same way? It is just overwhelming. Some of the concepts are somewhat difficult and the jargon is well........excessive and confusing. Ames

IowaEMT - I started WAAAY early. Heck, start getting stuff filled out and figure out how you are going to pay for it. I start with firemedic37 in Jan. (like 4 days) and I turned my stuff in like in August. There is no harm. The earlier the better. The application is not hard. You fill out your application then send it in, and then you are interviewed for the program by the program director (Doug York) and Lori Hartley (Admissions, instructor, etc..). You also take the HOBET and an A&P exam. The HOBET is like the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, but the A&P is HARD! If you have taken or have the chance to take college level Anatomy and physiology do it. You take those tests the day you interview. firemedic37 - I didn't even realize you had posted...Sorry. I know several paramedics that have gone through the program and loved it. There is one, she went through the program that was last January. She said she wished that it didn't end. I guess it is a lot of fun and the instructors like to have a good time as well. See you in 4 days!! AmesEMT

HAHA - After the latex, I wasn't quite thinking clothing....... The catholic girls I know are not as innocent as they look. Very interesting. Amazing how you might figure something out just by chance.

I agree. They are sending you out and setting you up for failure. The paramedic program I am entering into, we do all our classroom time first then do clinicals after. I went through a basic program that did it the way your program is doing it. Even though you don't learn a lot like paramedic, I still felt apprehensive. I want to know everything I need to know for that level so I am prepared. I believe to do your clinicals you should know everything a paramedic does and have those skills so you can work on perfecting them with perfect practice and get the experience. Isn't that what clinicals are all about!? TSKStorm, just follow what buckeyedoc said. That is exactly how I REALLY learned the stuff. I knew it, but doing it and being shown the way they do it in the field is different than learning from the book in a classroom setting. Good luck and hang in there! Ames

UnapprovedUses: Thanks for the info! I downloaded the application and stuff but was not exactly sure on what the test consisted of. That is surprising that MAST does not allow paramedic students to intubate. Though I can see the reasons why. Thanks again for the information and I will get on getting stuff in before we start clinicals/field (in April). Ames

So I was looking through the certification requirements for the KC Department of Heath to be a paramedic student doing field internship. What is the city certification test? Anyone certified in Kansas City, MO can you explain? Thanks. I am trying to figure out what I need to do to intern at MAST. Thanks Ames

UnapprovedUses, Thank you very much for the response, a long and detailed response. I am originally from KC and grew up seeing MAST ambulances frequently. I am starting medic school in 2 weeks and have to give my top 3 choices on where I would like to do my field internship. MAST is the first. From what I have heard, like you said, MAST is busy and I would get a wide variety of calls and a great learning experience. You answered quite a few of my questions about how MAST works on what goes on. Thanks again for the extremely detailed response! I look forward to doing my field internship with MAST and maybe I might be paired with you! Ames

I would have to agree with Asys. There is another video, the beginning, which looks like a possible sore on the side of the knee they cut into. How can someone let that go on for long enough to get that infected, I am assuming that would be quite painful? My grandmother had a pocket of puss (come to find out staph infection) on the lateral side of her right knee knee. She was gardening and got a minor scrape that healed and eventually formed the pocket. The pocket was the size of a pea and she said it was quite painful and warm to the touch.

Wow..............I am speechless!

Thanks Dust! I am only like 145-150. It is usually around the belt buckle, then I have had a belt just break roughly in the middle (it was leather). Since I am not with a service I have nothing on my belt. Mainly due to having belts break/wear out quickly, I thought I would just find out what people use/recommend. Thanks again for the images and suggestions. I will keep everyone updated on how medic school is going when it starts! Ames

I'm not in the field yet. I am starting paramedic school in 4 weeks. I am just hard on belts in general. I wear them a lot and in medic school I have to wear a uniform. I am looking for something that will last me through medic school and for several years after that. I am looking for something simple but durable. Nothing ridiculous.

Dust, I know what you mean, but I have terrible luck with belts. I have tried the cheap ones, they fall a part quickly. I thought something more designed for the EMS scene might work a little better and last longer. I was thinking nylon since it is washable and seems to last awhile.

So I was wondering if anyone knows of a training class to drive the ambulance in Missouri or Iowa? I know to some this might sound a little.....stupid. But I understand an ambulance can be a dangerous vehicle in the hands of an inexperienced person. I don't want to be that person. I want to know how to operate an ambulance while in the drivers seat safely. Thanks for any help/advice. I did try to find something through google but with no luck.

Thanks. I talked to some other people and ordered an Uncle Mike's Nylon Duty Belt, not exactly what I was looking for but will make it work. Thanks for the input!

Listen to Dust, he knows what he is talking about!!! Like dust said, education is important. I am finishing up my college education (in accounting) and will be going to medic school in January. I have talked to a few former paramedics that got burnt out. They recommended getting a degree as something to fall back on, just in case. Good luck and again, listen to the wiser members of the board! AmesEMT

I just got my letter today. I have been accepted into the paramedic program for the University of Iowa!!! I cannot wait! The only worry I have is about my diabetes and will they accept me with that.... But I am excited!