If you are looking to get into the medical field, but would prefer to be out and about where the action happens, then you might want to consider becoming a commercial medical escort. Also known as flight paramedics, these men and women have very exciting and rewarding careers in the medical field. As of 2011, there were only a little over 2000 certified flight paramedics employed.
You need to know that becoming part of air medical services is not going to be easy. It is almost as much of a challenge as the career you will find yourself in, after you graduate. Read on below for some tips on how to get your career started as a flight paramedic today.
The Steps to Becoming a Certified Flight Paramedic
Becoming part of air medical services takes a lot more than just sitting in a classroom. The journey starts long before you take your first class. While taking the exam does not require you to have a minimum education requirement, it is best to be an experienced EMT, before you decide to try for your license.
You will want to sign up for an EMT course and have your CPR certification before you make plans to become a certified flight paramedic in long distance medical transport.
What is Required to Become a Certified Flight Paramedic?
In order to be able to sit for the exam, you will need to first demonstrate proficiency as an EMT in other areas. You have to establish competency in the field as an EMT. The certifications that you will need to have are listed below.
- NREMT Certification is a mandatory requirement
- Most centers also require that you have a TNACT, ATLS-Audit, and a CCEMTP.
- BLS, also known as Basic Life Support
- ACLS, also known as Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- PALS/PEPP, also known as Pediatric Advance Life Support
- PHTLS/ITLS, also known as Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
According to what state you live in, there may be other certifications required. Make sure that you check with the testing center, so that you know for sure what the requirements are.
You also need to make sure that all of your certifications are active, before you make any move to take the exam.
There are a few areas that you will need to very knowledgeable in to pass the exam to work as a medevac in an air ambulance; these are listed below for your perusal.
- CAMTS
- Acid balance
- Airway
- Cardiac
- Neurological
- Flight Physiology
- OB/GYN
- Neonatal and Pediatric
- Field stress
- Trauma
- Respiratory
- Thoracic
If you study each of these 12 categories, you should be able to get the information you need to pass the exam and move into the exciting career of being a flight paramedic.
These are just a few tips for becoming a successful flight paramedic that you will want to follow to become successful in your chosen career. From the 12 categories to study to the certifications required, you can be sure that you will enjoy this job above all others.
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