I don't know how it works where you are, but here it helps to know someone who is already on the ski patrol. Short of that, you should go to your hill and get acquainted with some of the patrollers there. They are your best source of information about how to get started. Ask if they mind if you shadow someone.
Unless you are already certified, you will need to take the Outdoor emergency care class. Even those who hold advanced medical certification like paramedics, nurses and doctors are required to certify through this process. There may also be some equipment used on the ski hill that you are not particularly familiar with. Attending class can help you apply the skills you already have to on the hill applications. Depending on your experience/certification and how your division does things, you may be allowed to challenge the course and take the test without attending class. He re's a link to the NSP site that has some course scheduling and availability info: NSP Course Availability
After you have your OEC certification, you will spend time on the hill trying to get checked off on your "on the hill" requirements. Your skiing skills will be evaluated, you may be required to attend ski clinics, you will participate in on the hill scenarios, you may receive orientation to the hill, learn hill opening and closing procedures, learning toboggan transport techniques and generally getting acquainted with how your patrol does things. I have learned that how long it takes to get through all of this depends largely on your hill. Some hills are quite informal and others very structured. And there is the politics that I mentioned in a previous post. Generally though, the more often you can be on the hill the quicker you will finish the process.
Good Luck![/font:b6e2341eaf]