An In-Depth Breakdown of Online Paramedic Training Programs

Benefits. No matter what they go to school for, chances are students are concerned about their education costs. One of the benefits of getting an online degree in paramedic studies is that students can save a significant amount on their tuition thanks to the ability to complete their education quickly. In some cases, students can complete their training in about a year and immediately get out into the workforce. Depending on the school, students may be able to pay for their education on a per-credit basis, but other times they may be charged a flat fee.

How it Works. When students enroll in hybrid paramedic programs, it gives them the opportunity to complete much of their coursework through the school’s online learning management system, while still getting the hands-on experience they need during internships. For example, a hybrid program may require that students travel to campus for one session a week in order to reinforce what they have learned online. In other cases, students may be required to complete the majority of their work on campus, but are given the opportunity to do a portion of their coursework online. Either way, these programs allow students to fit their education into their lifestyle.

• Certificate: Certificate programs, which generally take about a year to a year and a half to complete, give students the basic training they need to get a job at hospitals, fire departments, private ambulance companies, and government agencies. Students on this level generally study areas such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, patient assessment, and trauma experiences. In addition to online classes, students are required to get hands-on experience through laboratory work, clinical experiences, and field internships.

• Diploma: Diploma programs are designed to help students hone their paramedic skills, such as emergency resuscitation, assessment, cardiac life support, and trauma care skills. In addition, students learn how to communicate effectively with patients and peers, as well as apply the field’s ethical and legal standards to their work. These programs, which take about a year and a half to complete, are made up of online coursework and hands-on training through clinical experiences and internships. In addition, students may be required to complete a capstone project to demonstrate their understanding of all the material they studied throughout the program.

• Associate degree: Those who want to dedicate more time to their degrees may choose to enroll in a two-year associate degree paramedic program. These programs are designed to give students a more advanced paramedic education, which can be attractive to employers that prefer to hire workers with at least an associate degree. When students begin associate’s programs, they complete the didactic portion of their degree where they learn the foundations of paramedics by taking courses about advanced life support, anatomy and physiology, and critical trauma care. To solidify the theories they’ve learned, they go on to complete fieldwork under the supervision of paramedicine professionals. In addition, students are required to take general education classes — like psychology, English composition, and political science — in order to develop additional skills that will ultimately make them a productive member of the workforce.

• Bachelor’s degree: Bachelor’s level paramedic science degrees can be earned by those who are entering the field for the first time or current professionals who want to advance in their careers and take leadership roles at their jobs. These programs, which take four years to complete, provide didactic coursework and clinical experiences designed to help students:
  • develop the clinical and interpersonal skills needed to treat diverse groups in the community
  • demonstrate a deep understanding of how emergency care works
  • utilize evidence-based medical principles when providing care.

As with associate’s degree programs, students also take classes outside of their major to receive a well-rounded education. These requirements may include courses in foreign languages, sociology, mathematics, and humanities.

Accreditation: Students should choose a paramedic program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) in order to ensure that they learn the skills employers are looking for. In fact, accreditation is so important that people who have not attended an accredited school may not be eligible to earn the certification they need to obtain employment.

State Approved: Every state has different requirements and standards for paramedics, so students should find a school that has been approved by their state. Otherwise, they may waste their time and money completing a program that doesn’t yield the state certification they need to find employment.

NREMT Prep: In order to earn a license, students who graduate from paramedic programs are required to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. As a result, the coursework in the program students enroll in should prepare them for this test. In some cases, schools may even provide additional NREMT study resources to help.

Faculty & Support Services: When considering schools, students should look at the background of faculty members in order to ensure that they’re experts in the field. The people providing training should have significant experience themselves to effectively teach students the realities of being a paramedic. In addition, students should look at the amenities that schools offer, such as technical support, research materials, and access to the local medical community.

Medical Equipment & Training Facilities: Since students need to participate in simulated exercises before they can work with actual patients, it’s imperative that they have access to the best medical equipment and training facilities. Ideally, students should visit the campus or medical facility where clinical training will take place so they can ensure they’ll have access to state-of-the-art equipment.

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