Paramedic Schools

As a paramedic, you'll be trained to provide critical care on the spot to patients in severe, urgent need. Similar to an emergency medical technician, paramedics respond to high-priority calls and arrive on the scene in an ambulance or another emergency vehicle. Paramedics, however, receive more advanced training and are often called upon to administer drugs. Depending on individual state laws, they may also be tasked with using complex machines, such as electrocardiograms, and interpreting the results.

Browse Paramedic Schools schools by State:

AL | AZ | CT | FL | OH | ON | PA | TN | VA

Recommended Schools

Herzing University

Diploma
Diploma Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
Alabama

Southeastern Institute

Diploma
Diploma in Paramedic
Tennessee

Fortis Institute

Associate
Paramedic
Ohio

CTS Canadian Career College

Diploma
Paramedic
Ontario

Other Paramedic Schools

Fortis College

Diploma, Associate
Emergency Medical Services, Paramedic, Paramedic
Arizona, Ohio

Tri-State Institute

Diploma
Paramedic
Alabama

All-State Career - Healthcare Division

Diploma
Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic
Pennsylvania

Goodwin College

Associate
Paramedic
Connecticut

National College

Associate
AS - Emergency Medical Technology/Paramedic
Virginia

Paramedic Salaries

Employment summary:

people employed: 217920 people
yearly change: +10310 people (+5%)
workforce fraction: 0.2% (1 in 600)
median wage: $29330 per year (US dollars per year)
median wage yearly change: +$930 per year (US dollars per year) (+3%)
50% range: $(23140 to 38030) per year
80% range: $(18880 to 49440) per year
(2009 data)

Related occupations:

people employedmean wage
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
dental hygienists173900 people$67860 per year
diagnostic related technologists and technicians
health diagnosing and treating practitioner support technicians
licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses728670 people$40900 per year
medical records and health information technicians170580 people$33880 per year
dispensing opticians60840 people$34790 per year
miscellaneous health technologists and technicians

Standard occupational classification information:

SOC code: 29-2040
SOC parent occupation: health technologists and technicians

Employment history:

Other Community and Technical Colleges

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Bevill State Community College

101 State St, Sumiton, 35148
Telephone:(205) 648-3271 x5400
http://www.bscc.edu

Bishop State Community College

351 North Broad Street, Mobile, 36603
Telephone:(251) 405-7000
http://www.bishop.edu

Central Alabama Community College

1675 Cherokee Rd, Alexander City, 35010
Telephone:(256) 234-6346
http://www.cacc.cc.al.us

Chattahoochee Valley Community College

2602 College Drive, Phenix City, 36869
Telephone:(334) 291-4900
http://www.cv.edu

Enterprise-Ozark Community College

600 Plaza Drive, Enterprise, 36330
Telephone:(334) 347-2623
http://www.eocc.edu

Gadsden State Community College

1001 George Wallace Dr, Gadsden, 35902
Telephone:(256) 549-8200
http://www.gadsdenstate.edu

George C Wallace Community College-Dothan

1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan, 36303
Telephone:(334) 983-3521
http://www.wallace.edu

George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

801 Main St NW, Hanceville, 35077
Telephone:(256) 352-8000
http://www.wallacestate.edu

H Councill Trenholm State Technical College

1225 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, 36108
Telephone:(334) 420-4200
http://www.trenholmtech.cc.al.us

James H Faulkner State Community College

1900 US Hwy 31 S, Bay Minette, 36507
Telephone:(251) 580-2100
http://www.faulknerstate.edu
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Is a Career as a Paramedic Right for Me?

A paramedic is a leader who is calm and resourceful in stressful situations, has physical strength and stamina, and can administer drugs appropriately. Paramedics are ready for any emergency situation night or day, summer heat or winter chill. They treat every patient with high quality care whether the patient is cooperative, uncooperative, unconscious, hysterical, or dangerous. The paramedic is able to assess any emergency situation and prioritize the important tasks. read more [+]

As a leader, a paramedic makes clear confident decisions and is able to quickly communicate these decisions to onlookers, others responding to the emergency, the patient, and the hospital. A paramedic's self confidence reassures those involved and contributes to controlling chaotic scenarios. 

Remaining calm and resourceful in stressful situations

Every emergency medical situation is stressful, but there might be added layers of need and abilities required in order to handle the situation appropriately and successfully. Paramedics must always behave in a fashion that benefits the patient no matter how the patients or onlookers are behaving.

Physical strength and stamina are necessary too

They may have to be let down a cliff to reach and treat a patient whose car has gone over the edge. They may have to treat flood victims in torrential rains. Even in good weather, movement of equipment and patients requires paramedics to be in good physical condition.

Leading a team means responsibility

The paramedic must be able to quickly obtain the patient's medical and drug history as well as any drugs the patient is currently taking. The knowledge of drug interactions and accurate assessment of the patient's health are vital for the paramedic. They are legally liable if any drugs are not properly administered or if any drugs cannot be accounted for.

Oral and written communications are key

There is no room for misunderstandings in an emergency medical situation. Communications with medical professionals at the hospital must be accurate. Communication with the patient, the patient's relatives or friends must not only be medically appropriate, but culturally appropriate as well. 

Excellent judgment at all times 

Although their environment is ever changing, they are able to function at their highest level consistently. They demonstrate that they are stable in crises.

A career as a paramedic involves skill, good physical capabilities, immediate and accurate response, high moral character, and stability. Not only are paramedics responsible for drug administration, but for the lives of their patients. Being a paramedic is a responsible and respected profession and one worth pursuing.