Are you an EMT looking to transition to a career as a paramedic and want to know exactly how to become a paramedic? You can certainly expect to earn a higher salary as a paramedic. According to Salary.com, the median salary for paramedics is roughly $38,000 compared to about $29,000 for an EMT. Making the transition from EMT to paramedic can have significant long-term career advantages as well. An EMT with five years experience can expect to make around $39,000 while a paramedic with five years experience can expect to make roughly $50,000. If this higher salary potential interests you, let’s take a look at how you can make the transition from EMT to paramedic.
If you have completed the EMT-II or EMT-III program and want to advance your career by discovering how to become a paramedic, you can complete an EMT to paramedic bridge course. This bridge course will expose you to such advanced fields as medical emergencies, trauma, cardiology and respiratory care. There are usually requirements as far as how many classroom hours must be completed in order to successfully pass such a bridge course. You can also expect to complete a significant amount of lab work and clinical rotations in an EMT to paramedic bridge course. If you have a busy schedule and must continue working as an EMT while making the transition, you may choose to complete an online EMT to paramedic bridge course. The advantage of such online courses is that you have greater latitude in designing your own schedule. Online courses will be centered on PowerPoint presentations, videos and online lectures that can be recorded for later viewing. Once you successfully complete an EMT to paramedic bridge course, you may take the NREMT Paramedic certification exam. You must meet the standards in such areas as patient-assessment trauma, ventilatory management, cardiac management skills, and IV and medication skills.
If you are interested in advancing your career from EMT to learning how to become a paramedic, you may want to research in EMT to paramedic bridge courses that are available. You must be prepared to devote significant time to both classroom and lab work. If you do happen to have a very busy and loaded schedule, you may want to consider completing the classroom portion online. Transitioning from an EMT to paramedic can really be worth it in terms of the salary you can command.
About Michael McCandless
Michael McCandless has been in the emergency medical services industry for nearly a decade. He is very proud of his career and the opportunity to serve his community. He is also the owner of the EMT Training and Career Headquarters website, which provides information and resources to individuals interested in beginning a career as an EMT.
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