Your Online Guide to Becoming a Paramedic
Explore your education options, certification requirements, and job search advice in becoming a paramedic. Launch your career in saving lives today by reading on.
Prospective paramedics like you are probably drawn to this field for its promising career and salary potential, fast-paced environments, and the opportunity to help others. Job openings for this industry are expected to rise by 6 percent from 2023-2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With all of its promises, pursuing this career will mean you have your work cut out for you.
A wide range of on-campus and online paramedic training options are available to you. You’ll need to determine if a program at a trade school, community college, or four-year institution is right for your needs. All of them, however, require students to have completed their EMT-Basic certifications prior to enrollment. What’s more, many require applicants to have performed at least 6 months of EMT duties beforehand.
The requirements may seem overwhelming, but with the right resources, you can prepare well and be on your way. If you’re ready to become a paramedic, you can discover the five steps you need to take by reading below.
Complete Your EMT Training and Certification
Before you can become a paramedic, you must first become an EMT-Basic. EMT non-degree programs can take between 3 and 11 weeks to complete with up to 150 hours of specialized skill training and field observation, both in the hospital and in an ambulance. EMT certification programs are offered at trade and vocational schools, community colleges, and some four-year schools that combine EMT and paramedic programs.
Following completion of the EMT-Basic program, graduates are eligible to take their certification examination through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The cost of the test is $175 per attempt. Some states prefer their own psychomotor examinations in addition to the NREMT exam. Following certification, students can enter the emergency services field or advance to paramedic training. There are many options for completing an EMT program, including online and hybrid training that combines distance learning with campus-based clinical coursework. For those beginning their paramedic careers with an EMT certification, check out our page on the best online EMT programs.
Get EMT Field Experience
Many paramedic programs require applicants to have experience working as an EMT-Basic before applying. While gaining field experience as a working EMT prior to going to paramedic school is optional, it can make all the difference in the kind of program you want to complete.
The most common entry requirement for admission to a paramedic school is the satisfactory completion of EMT experience from 6 months to a year. That’s because completing your EMT certification can be insufficient when compared to getting real-world experience.
Pursue an Online Paramedic Program
Searching for the ideal paramedic education program for your career? The factors are entirely personal, depending on your existing EMT experience, goals, and training. You’ll also have to decide on the best learning mode to suit your home and work requirements. To learn more about your options, you can find detailed information on our page for the best paramedic training programs.
Vocational and trade schools, community colleges and four-year schools may offer extensive online class components blended with on-site clinical rotations and internships. There are also campus-based programs that require commuting for most of the week’s eight-hour sessions. You’ll need to hold a current EMT certification as well as a CPR certification to apply. If you don’t have the time or resources to complete a degree program, most licensing agencies only require the certificate course to be completed. There are also community college paramedic certification programs and associate’s degrees. Finally, there are four-year bachelor’s degrees for EMTs and Paramedics seeking advancement to professional programs in emergency medicine, nursing, or medical school.
Considerations Checklist for Students
Evaluate potential programs and select schools that best meet your needs with the following questions:
- Is the program accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)?
- Will the program work with my schedule?
- Is the program length workable?
- Does the program follow paramedic training guidelines of the EMT-PARAMEDIC National Standard Curriculum of the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission?
- Do faculty members work for EMS organizations or have experience as paramedics?
- Can I afford the tuition through the length of the entire program? If not, how much financial aid will you need?
- Does the institution have up-to-date labs, clinical facilities and equipment?
- How far away from where I live are the practicum courses?
- What student support services does the school provide?
Applications: Pre-Requisites & Financial Aid
Now that you know more about the types of schools, delivery methods for didactic learning (online or on-campus), and considered all of your needs in a program, it’s time to prepare for submitting school applications and financial aid. The first step in applying is to learn if you’ve satisfied the pre-requisite requirements for entry into the program. If not, make plans to complete them. Next, examine the application process for each school on your short list. Finally, evaluate your ability to pay for the program, including financial aid or employer assistance.
Pre-requisites: Depending on state and institutional policies, requirements for entering a paramedic program can vary. But there are some standardized factors that apply to most programs. These include a combination of EMT certifications and real-time
- Current EMT certifications
- At least 6 months of experience as an EMT in a prehospital setting
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR)
- A qualifying score on an institutional entrance examination
- Passage of a physical
- FBI and DOJ Background Checks
- Pre-application coursework in college English, Math, Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Life Support, Pharmacology, and Electrocardiogram techniques.
Application process & fees: One of the main ways to slip up on your application to a short-list school is to miss the application deadline and fail to submit the required supporting paperwork. You must complete an online request for admission and may need to submit your high school diploma, college transcripts, letters confirming your employment as an EMT, and complete a professional admissions interview (if required). The institution may charge nonrefundable application fees of approximately $50-$100. In some cases, you may be required to pay up to a $500 non-refundable application fee that is applied to your tuition.
Funding your program: The net costs for paramedic training may vary dramatically by institution, depending on the length of the program and the type of program (certificate or associate’s degree). The program can total between $4,000 at a community college vs $9,500 at a major university. Other than tuition, there can be costs for malpractice insurance, textbooks and uniforms. Fortunately, there are grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs to pay for your program. Visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website to find out more or apply for aid. Ask at work. EMTs who are currently employed at fire departments, hospitals and emergency service organizations may offer to pay for your paramedic program or repay your costs.
Learn more about your financial aid options on EduMed’s financial aid page.
Finish Coursework, Internships, Licensure, and Specialty Certifications
Coursework, Internships, & Clinical Requirements
Paramedic coursework and clinical requirements may vary by type of institution and your prior education/service as an EMT. It also depends whether the student completes their work toward an associate’s degree or toward an undergraduate trade school certification. Required course hours may also differ between online and on-campus programs. In general, paramedic training involves
- Didactic: The didactic component focuses on classroom learning, whether online, on-campus, or in a hybrid program that combines the two. Just over 500 hours (lasting six weeks of full-time study) cover cognitive and psychomotor theory and skills.
- Clinicals: The clinical phase typically runs for four consecutive weeks. These simulated pre-hospital training sessions expose students to routines in clinical areas under direct supervision of physicians and nurses. This part of the online/hybrid program requires physical attendance on campus or at a designated college setting.
- Field Internship: Here’s where the rubber meets the road. These 8-12-week internships include 20 clinical rotations at all hours around the clock so students can experience an active paramedic unit under the supervision of one or more certified EMT – Paramedics.
Licensure
The BLS reports that every state in the nation requires paramedics to be licensed. The EMT/P examination is offered by the NREMT to candidates who have completed a certified educational program. The NREMT exam is comprised of two parts. There is a cognitive written test which measures your understanding of theory, laws and practice learned in your training. A practical psychomotor exam measures your performance in six clinical areas – from assessment to treatment — under simulated emergency situations. The cost for the combined exam is $125.00. Paramedics are required to renew their license every two years. Renewal fees are $20. Many states accept the passage of the NREMT exam as proper licensing to practice. Other states may require paramedics to pass state licensing examinations. These states include Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Utah, and Wyoming.
| Cognitive Exam | Psychomotor Exam |
|---|---|
|
Computer-based Timed (2.5 hours) 80-150 questions Topics covered: Airway, Respiration & Ventilation; Cardiology & Resuscitation; Trauma; Medical; Obstetrics/Gynecology; EMS operations, adult and geriatric and pediatric patients. |
Hands-on Six skills tested: Patient Assessment – Trauma, Dynamic Cardiology, Static Cardiology, Oral Station Case A, Oral Station Case B, and the Integrated Out-Of-Hospital Scenarios. |
An Optional Step: Specialty Certifications
Although not a requirement, earning a specialty paramedic certification is a way to step your game up. Specialty certifications prepare paramedics for job opportunities where employers expect candidates to have training for their niche. Moreover, holding an advanced specialized certificate can boost your career into higher-paying roles in the profession. Although some organizations are willing to train paramedics to work in their specialized practice, formal certifications show employers that your accredited education has been conducted in line with industry standards established by the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification and the International Board of Specialty Certification. Because the paramedic applicant has been tested to earn specialty certification, employers are assured that they have the knowledge and skill bases for their positions. Current specialty certifications include:
- Certified Community Paramedic (CP-C)
- Certified Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C)
- Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C)
- Certified Medical Transportation Safety Professional (MTSP-C)
- Certified Tactical Paramedic (TP-C)
- Certified Tactical Responder (TR-C)
Prep for the Perfect paramedic job
Resume Preparation & Job Applications
The job application process includes the submission of the formal application, a cover letter tailored each potential employer, and a professional resume. model each resume that addresses the exact position you’re applying with the organization. Be sure to include key words from the job description to show the employer how well your training and experiences match their requirements for the position. Past experience, your accomplishments, and how you solved problems are key components of your resume. Simple, straightforward details and a clean resume design make it easier to pass scanning programs that ferret out unqualified applicants. Check your spelling before summitting it. Here are templates and examples of paramedic resumes to help you put your best foot forward:
- Paramedic Resume Sample by LiveCareer
- Paramedic Resume Builder by Zety
- Paramedic Resume by Velvet Jobs
- Paramedic Resume Sample by Resume Now
Interview Practice
An employment interview is designed to review your qualifications to work as a paramedic. But it’s much more than that. Think of your employment interview as an opportunity to show your composure under stress, your personal and professional communication style, and how you respond to challenges. It also assesses your views about the profession, your commitment to the job and your reasons for choosing your potential employer. In addition, nailing the interview shows the employer how well you have prepared ahead of time. Preparation should include doing research on the employer, speaking with others who work for them, and to practice responding to questions you anticipate in the interview. Come up with your own questions for the hiring manager that can reveal a lot about the workplace and how it’s managed. Here are seven employer questions that you are likely to encounter:
- Why do you want to be a paramedic?
- How do you handle stress? What do you do for self-care?
- Why are you willing to risk your life to rescue strangers?
- What personal traits do you have to be a successful paramedic?
- Have you ever made a mistake on the job? How did you respond to criticism?
- How have you responded to difficult patients or family members?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
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