Paramedics

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A paramedic is the highest level of pre-hospital emergency medical care provider. Paramedics have the most extensive education, training and provide all aspects of basic and advanced life support relevant to pre-hospital care.



Hours of training:

1,200+

Certification requirements:

Training must be equivalent to National Standard DOT Paramedic course with clinical, didactic and field experience. Documentation by service medical director that applicant is proficient in clinical skills.

Licensure examination:

National Registry exam. Licensure must be renewed biennially.

Continuing education:

48 hours based on DOT curriculum, additional 24 hours for National Registry renewal, and current ACLS and CPR. Local medical director must provide and certify continuing education for recertification.

Current Wisconsin law dictates that any ambulance provider that is authorized to provide paramedic level services must ensure that at least one licensed paramedic be on board the primary ambulance that will respond to emergency calls. Middleton EMS exceeds this standard and staffs two licensed paramedics on a rotational platoon schedule of 24-hour shifts.

Diagram of Educational Model

  • Pre- &/or co-requisite
    • BLS-Healthcare Provider CPR
    • EMT-Basic
    • BLS Field experience
  • Preparatory
    • Clinical/Field EMS systems/roles & responsibilities of the paramedic
    • The well-being of the paramedic
    • Illness- & injury-prevention
    • Medical/legal issues
    • Ethics
      Medical terminology
    • Human anatomy & physiology
    • Principles of pathophysiology
    • Pharmacology
    • Venous access & medication administration
    • Therapeutic communications
    • Life-span development
  • Core curriculum

Medical


Pulmonary
Cardiology
Neurology
Endocrinology
Allergies & anaphylaxis
Gastroenterology
Renal/urology
Toxicology
Hematology
Environmental conditions
Infectious & communicable diseases
Behavioral & psychiatric disorders
Neonatology
Pediatrics
Geriatrics
Abuse & assault
Patients with special challenges
Gynecology
Obstetrics

Patient Assessment


History taking
Techniques of physical examination Assessment
Clinical decision making
Advanced paramedic skills
Communications
Documentation

Trauma


Trauma systems/
Mechanism of injury
Hemorrhage & shock
Soft tissue trauma
Burns
Head & facial trauma
Spinal trauma
Thoracic trauma
Abdominal trauma
Musculoskeletal trauma

Standard Certifications

  • Advanced cardiac life support - ACLS
  • Pediatric advanced life support - PALS
  • Advanced prehospital trauma life support - PHTLS

Clinical Experience


  • Emergency
  • OB/GYN
  • Medical
  • ICU
  • CCU
  • OR
  • Pediatrics
  • Outpatient surgery

Field Experience


  • Paramedic internship with preceptors from multiple 911 fire-based EMS or 3rd service agencies.
  • Interfacility critical care transport.

Field Management Operations


  • Incident command - NIMS
  • Rescue operations
  • Triage
  • Hazardous materials incidents
  • Nuclear/Biological/Chemical Terrorism preparedness
  • Crime scene awareness
  • Lifelong continuing education