Critical care transport is a growing field in the area of EMS. There is an increasing need for specially trained paramedics who can treat the perilously ill and severely wounded. Basics-trained technicians are not entirely suitable for this, which created a sub specialty within the world of emergency medical services for a critical care paramedic.
What Is A Critical Care Paramedic?
A critical care paramedic works in conjunction with other first responders. You provide critical care support for patients from an ambulance, air transport, or field hospitals in response to life-threatening medical calls. You implement life support, from the very basic to highly advanced, such as intravenous therapy. Critical care paramedics’ job functions may include everything from driving the ambulance to communicating with the dispatcher as well as physicians and registered nurses. You may be expected to maintain supplies, perform quality control, and educate people.
Critical care paramedics’ primary responsibilities are weighty. At the scene of a disaster, whether natural or otherwise, you set up and maintain triage, determine how severe the patient’s condition is, and administer life-saving support while transporting the patient to the hospital.
What Kind Of Training Is Needed?
There are a few prerequisites necessary to becoming a critical care paramedic. You must already be a licensed and experienced EMT and pass a background check. There is an associate degree in critical care paramedics available at many colleges in the United States. In the program, your advanced coursework will include trauma care, pharmacology, cardiac care, anatomy, and emergency medical care. You will also have hands-on clinical practice. The program will take two years to complete if you attend full time. Some schools offer critical care paramedic certificates in addition to an EMT degree. Every state requires critical care paramedics and all other EMT professionals to be licensed. Paramedics must take continuing education classes and recertify every four years.
Enter An In-Demand Career
The employment outlook and salary for a critical care paramedic are in line with other EMT positions. The careers are expected to grow by 15 percent over the next decade, which is much faster than other occupations. The median salary for a paramedic is $33K annually. To be a part of this needed and growing profession, find an emergency medical services school near you, and begin your training.
