Paramedic programs

[mobey]

fp--

I'm currently attending the University of Iowa's Accelerated Paramedic Specialist Program. It's a 15-week academy-style didactic training within the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and is also nationally accredited. One of our instructors was one of the first medics in the state of Iowa and the others are very, very experienced. I'll provide a link here, but if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

University of Iowa EMS Learning Resource Center

-Tyler

Holy Crap batman!! 15 weeks.... no wonder they call it a Paramedic SPECIALIST.... Special indeed!

Let me put it in perspective, and you can make your own choice (OP)...

I recently graduated from a 2yr Diploma course at the University of Alberta. That was, however, after doing a 1yr EMT course, 10mon Intermediate course, then 1yr of pre-requisites.

Yup... 4-5 years of education.

So the question you gotta ask yourself is this: What is most important to me, getting through school fast, or providing my patients with the best possible care I can by ensuring I am highly educated for my position?

Only then can you look at schools IMHO

[tcripp]

So the question you gotta ask yourself is this: What is most important to me, getting through school fast, or providing my patients with the best possible care I can by ensuring I am highly educated for my position?

Only then can you look at schools IMHO

Bravo! Bravo!

[fakingpatience]

I am not looking for a short cut to a paramedic program- both the CT program and the IA one mentioned sounded interesting (after looking on the website about the Iowa program, it seems it is like 9 months long, not really 15 weeks...). One thing that sounded really appealing to me about the CT program that fiznat mentioned was that the lecture portion is combined with lab/ hospital clinical time (is that right fiznat?), and that the Anatomy and Physiology was specifically geared towards EMS. So thanks for getting me to look into that program!

I really want a good education, but at the same time, don't want to go through a program that will require me to retake so many of the basic classes (non ems) that I had to take to get my BA... I am looking at taking A&P 1 at the local community college here, but it doesn't' come with a lab portion... for those of you who have taken A&P, is it worth it without the lab?

And again, any more specific program suggestions?

Thanks for all your help

[tylerp1]

fp is correct, it is approximately 9-10 months. The didactic portion of the course is 15 weeks with clinicals afterwards.

Sorry for the confusion :S

[Rescue0ne]

Mobey: Holy Crap batman!! 15 weeks...no wonder they call it a Paramedic SPECIALIST...Special indeed!

(the darn "quote" function didn't work properly)

Additionally, remember how Iowa does EMS.

Intermediate-99 equivalents are "Paramedics".

Paramedics are "Paramedic Specialists".

I really don't get that, but to each state their own.

Edited August 3, 2010 by Rescue0ne

[fiznat]

One thing that sounded really appealing to me about the CT program that fiznat mentioned was that the lecture portion is combined with lab/ hospital clinical time (is that right fiznat?), and that the Anatomy and Physiology was specifically geared towards EMS. So thanks for getting me to look into that program!

No problem!

The CCC program here in Hartford gets students doing hands-on kind of stuff pretty much right from the beginning. Lab sessions are generally around 5 hours long, run every Saturday for the first semester, slightly less often for the 2nd semester, and then on again for the 3rd. Throughout that time, students are also expected to complete in-hospital rotations (lots of ED time, also ICU (CICU & MSICU), respiratory, OB, and psych. Hours are required in the OR as well to practice live intubations). This is all during the same time that students attend lecture sessions as well.

The 3rd semester is primarily concerned with certifications (ACLS/PALS/PHTLS classes), lab sessions, and the field internships. The school contracts with EMS services all over the state (about 10-15 different places IIRC) ranging from intercept, fire-based, private, and municipal. During this time, students spend around 200 hours riding on these services functioning as a paramedic interns under the supervision of a primary medic.

Hope that helps! If you have any other questions feel free to ask.