FireEMT2009 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Well, I have been looking into furthering my education, and I understand that some of the stuff we do as Paramedics, mimics what an RT does. And not to mention, the airway/respiratory/circulation system has always amazed me and I would like to continue my knowledge. My question to ya'll is, would my experience as a Paramedic assist me in RT school? and what ya'lls opinion on transferring from NREMT-P to RRT? Thanks for any opinions, FireEMT2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFIB Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I would think that your experience would be useful but this is just my opinion. Maybe chbare will chime in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaseZ Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I would suggest go shadowing a RT. Depending on the hospital it can be very mundane and boring. Basically going around giving nebs, treatments, setting up cpap/bipap, etc. while other RTs are in the ICU with vents, drawing ABGs, and responding to codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chbare Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Your experience will probably benefit you as a RT student. Let me know if you have specific questions. Personally, I rather like respiratory therapy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cprted Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I know two Paramedics from my service who have gone through the RT program. Both of them love their new jobs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Plain Ruff Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 RT Training can do nothing but make you a better provider. How many calls do you run that have an respiratory component to them? I'd bet that 35% of them do. The better you understand the respiratory system the better you understand your patients respiratory issues. 2nd, Most respiratory therapists I know, I said most, are pretty good at intubating patients and I've worked with quite a few. You want to have a RT on your truck. Why do you think that many critical care transport teams (pediatric especially) have a RT(who may also be a medic) on board rather than a paramedic? I'll let you sit and stew on that one. Just food for thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakc130 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Does anyone have any suggestions for schooling for this? Specifically, online classes that I could do here in the desert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chbare Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 It will be hard to do RRT online. The minimum RRT entry into practice is an AAS from an accredited programme. Even as a nurse with many years of experience, I had to do the entire two years of school plus I had to do additional chemistry and take a physics and computer operation class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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