A paramedic is the highest level of Emergency Care Provider in the United States. To become a paramedic, you must be licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners and nationally certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
Before you think about training or anything else, check out these few points that you should consider before becoming a paramedic.
The motive for training – Think about why you are choosing to study this course. What are your motives?
Future Career Path – Have you thought through the whole process to the end? Are you leaving another career to pursue paramedic studies?
Employment- How likely are you to be employed after you graduate?
Working hours – Can you handle the shifts? Would you be able to handle an emergency on just a few hours of sleep?
Earnings-How much does this job pay, and is it enough to meet your needs?
Training
- As you think about how to become a paramedic in Montana, USA, consider the following facts about training.
- Training takes an average of 6 to 12 months.
- Paramedic training classes take place at community colleges and universities
- Training may cost between $1000 and $10000
- Some schools offer financial aid for paramedic training courses
Requirements
Still interesting in finding out how to become a paramedic in Montana, USA? Check out the requirements below.
- You must be a high school graduate and at least 18 years old. If you did not graduate from high school, a GED will suffice.
- You must have current EMT certification.
- You must have proper CPR certification.
- You must have had all your immunization shots done. This is important because you will be getting hospital experience all through the course.
- You must be nationally certified with the NREMT.
- In some cases, you may need to get a criminal background check done or undergo drug screening.
- After you complete your course, you must do an NREMT examination. This
examination is in two parts:
- Cognitive Examination – Includes Airway Ventilation, Trauma, Medical and EMS Operations, Oxygenation and Cardiology.
- Psychomotor Examination – 12 separate skills tests that include IV and Medication Skills, Oral Station, Ventilatory Management, Trauma, Random Basic Skills, Patient Assessment, and Pediatric Skills.
Licensing
- After you fulfill all the requirements, the next consideration on how to become a paramedic in Montana, USA, is licensing or being allowed to practice.
- The State of Montana requires that every paramedic has proof of NREMT registration to be granted a license. In other words, every paramedic must be nationally certified by NREMT.
- This license allows one to work as a paramedic in Montana.
Salary
- What is the salary of a paramedic like? Most paramedics earn around $34,030 per year.
If you are thinking hard about how to become a paramedic in Montana, USA, ask yourself whether you are cut out for the job. Do you love to help people and save lives? Are you willing to sacrifice your time so that the community can be assured that a helping hand is not far away? Food for thought!