Paramedic Training

DanOB

hi,

im 16 and have been a voluntary first aider for 4/5 years with SJAB. I'd be interested in become a paramedic after secondary school, but i wouldnt want to do it full-time, what i mean is, i'd love to be a trained paramedic, but not necessarily practice it full-time.

any advice on where i can train, how long it takes, what requirements i need, and how much it would cost?

thanks,

Dan

Elessar

To out it bluntly, to train to become a Paramedic, you need to travel abroad. Unless you get into the HSE (on the off chance you get in) or DFB, it is impossible to train to paramedic in Ireland. The HSE have pretty much booked up all places in the national ambulance training school and as such NATS is no longer taking private individuals.

You could get up to Paramedic in the U.S. (some people do- $$$$) or maybe the UK has some courses (not sure on that one).

But THEN it's a question of whether you can get certified. Phecc, the regulator, has brought in new guidelines recently and they seem to be dead set on minimum hours for placements and classroom study. I am not certain if they will accept foreign trained paramedics (maybe you would have to sit a test or course or something). I think they really want at least the two years it takes here to become a Para.

Realistically, all you can get up to in Ireland is EMT level, either by joining a private ambulance company and get them to sponsor you into the NATS EMT program (4 weeks I think?) or hoping St. John's becomes a recognised training institute and runs its own EMT course.

Like yourself, I would love to get to Paramedic but not necessarily do it fulltime. But I cant, and it's a real bone of contention with me.

EMS really is a closed shop in this country.

Fyr.Fytr

If not doing it full time is it the best option, from what ive heard off paramedics is you have to be doing it all the time to keep your skills topped up

Put it this way elessar how many times have we fogotten slings because we only do it once in a while

Elessar

Slings are an invention of the devil! That's why no-one can remember them

Fulltime work as a para is best, but who's to say that a one working with a vol won't save someone's life or make someone's life easier if they were there at the scene, that others couldn't? There are always the training materials, private/vol work and (perhaps) placements to keep up to date.

As long as there isn't advanced sling training a private para will be fine.

moose112

My new neighbour is from the states and worked as a paramedic out there she has also two tours of Iraq under her belt. So Pretty expearienced girl:D
But she has told me her qualifications are worthless in this country she would have to start from the bottom

sgt.bilko

Hi Dan, I'm in SJAB also.

I'm guessing from your age that you are a cadet. Eventually if you stay within SJAB, you can train as an EMT-B which is the step below paramedic.

However, first you need to qualify as an Ambulance Member (Adult), then qualify for useage of an AED (simple enough). When you are AED qualified, you can be qualify as an Emergency First Responder. Then you can train as an EMT.

These courses are all run in HQ and details can be obtained from your Superintendent or MIC.

Best of luck.

Fyr.Fytr

Elessar wrote: »

Slings are an invention of the devil! That's why no-one can remember them

Fulltime work as a para is best, but who's to say that a one working with a vol won't save someone's life or make someone's life easier if they were there at the scene, that others couldn't? There are always the training materials, private/vol work and (perhaps) placements to keep up to date.

As long as there isn't advanced sling training a private para will be fine.

Agreed lol

Oh you can provide btter care for the pt eg entenox, gtn etc But then again with the more advanced stuff alot more can go wrong and alot more diagnostics and monitoring needs to be done and skills need to be top of the range

!!!!!conor!!!!!

Fyr.Fytr wrote: »

Agreed lol

Oh you can provide btter care for the pt eg entenox,

Fyr.Fyt, I presume you are a member of a vol, can your EMFRs not give entonox??

Elessar

!!!!!conor!!!!! wrote: »

Fyr.Fyt, I presume you are a member of a vol, can your EMFRs not give entonox??

OMAC doesn't give entonox anymore. I think it was stopped years ago, not sure why. But it doesn't really matter now since only EMTs can give it.

scott22

DanOB wrote: »

hi,

im 16 and have been a voluntary first aider for 4/5 years with SJAB. I'd be interested in become a paramedic after secondary school, but i wouldnt want to do it full-time, what i mean is, i'd love to be a trained paramedic, but not necessarily practice it full-time.

any advice on where i can train, how long it takes, what requirements i need, and how much it would cost?

thanks,

Dan

You have to be over 21 years old to work as a paramedic in this country as thats the min' age you can be to get a D1 driving licence, as a full C1 and D1 are required.

maglite

Elessar wrote: »

But it doesn't really matter now since only EMTs can give it.

Amm no

Red Cross are still doing it, From EMFR level and up

Elessar

maglite wrote: »

Amm no

Red Cross are still doing it, From EMFR level and up

Red Cross should NOT be doing it officially under EFR level anymore, it's now an EMT qualification. I know some vols did/still do it but it'll all be phased out under the new PHECC guidelines. In many ways the new EFR standard is a downgrade. In fact, I don't think the new guidelines allow for oxygen use for EFRs anymore (open to correction here). Although I believe vols can use it under their own protocols?

maglite

Elessar wrote: »

Red Cross should NOT be doing it officially under EFR level anymore, it's now an EMT qualification.

That is my i said EMFR, Red Cross are not yet running Phecc courses so it is their own curriculum,

So the regs coving EFR do not apply as we do not have any. yes ? no?

and as far as i can make out it will be the case for a while as they are running a EMFR course in the comming weeks, unless there is a shock announcement and change in course content but thats not likely.

Like wise we have no EMT's unless they are from the HSE

I have an EMFR which I received from working at sea.

Is it possible to do the EMT privately in the hope off gaining employment

maglite

NoDrama wrote: »

I have an EMFR which I received from working at sea.

Is it possible to do the EMT privately in the hope off gaining employment

i would give it a year and look at the maritime college,

or go to a voluntary org OMAC St Johns or Red Cross..

at the moment i think OMAC are the best

Thank you for the reply!

Will look into!

!!!!!conor!!!!!

Elessar wrote: »

Red Cross should NOT be doing it officially under EFR level anymore, it's now an EMT qualification. I know some vols did/still do it but it'll all be phased out under the new PHECC guidelines. In many ways the new EFR standard is a downgrade. In fact, I don't think the new guidelines allow for oxygen use for EFRs anymore (open to correction here). Although I believe vols can use it under their own protocols?

The Red Cross can continue to run their EMFR course until they become recognised by PHECC to run the EMT course, and so their EMFR can continue to use entonox as they are trained to do. These EMFRs will receive additional training in the coming months to reach EMT level once the Red Cross EMT course is recognised by PHECC. The EFR level is not a high enough level to have attending on an ambulance, I was referring to the "old" EMFR which is being phased out.

DanOB

sgt.bilko wrote: »

Hi Dan, I'm in SJAB also.

I'm guessing from your age that you are a cadet. Eventually if you stay within SJAB, you can train as an EMT-B which is the step below paramedic.

However, first you need to qualify as an Ambulance Member (Adult), then qualify for useage of an AED (simple enough). When you are AED qualified, you can be qualify as an Emergency First Responder. Then you can train as an EMT.

These courses are all run in HQ and details can be obtained from your Superintendent or MIC.

Best of luck.

yeah im a cadet in Finglas/Glasnevin CD with good ole mr.heart..

what division are you in? ive prob seen you around on duty and at competitions

sgt.bilko

Not willing to give such info but am in a sth side division close to dun laoghaire

DanOB

sgt.bilko wrote: »

Not willing to give such info but am in a sth side division close to dun laoghaire

enough said

DublinRescuer

Elessar wrote: »

Red Cross should NOT be doing it officially under EFR level anymore, it's now an EMT qualification. I know some vols did/still do it but it'll all be phased out under the new PHECC guidelines. In many ways the new EFR standard is a downgrade. In fact, I don't think the new guidelines allow for oxygen use for EFRs anymore (open to correction here). Although I believe vols can use it under their own protocols?

nonononono, here PHECC still do EFR training but emfr is kicked out and intermediate will be joining that to so it should go basic efr emt etc, as emfr is being replaced by emt. so efr is still being done (i'm recently qualified within weeks) and emfr is out to be replaced by emt-b

scott22

DublinRescuer wrote: »

nonononono, here PHECC still do EFR training but emfr is kicked out and intermediate will be joining that to so it should go basic efr emt etc, as emfr is being replaced by emt. so efr is still being done (i'm recently qualified within weeks) and emfr is out to be replaced by emt-b

Sorry, its emt not emt-b

DublinRescuer

DanOB wrote: »

hi,

im 16 and have been a voluntary first aider for 4/5 years with SJAB. I'd be interested in become a paramedic after secondary school, but i wouldnt want to do it full-time, what i mean is, i'd love to be a trained paramedic, but not necessarily practice it full-time.

any advice on where i can train, how long it takes, what requirements i need, and how much it would cost?

thanks,

Dan

Hi Dan Dub Rescuer here,
I'm in the same boat but i'm eighteen with CD and Rescue First Responder,
I've been researching this for a few years and still no clarification, as far as i'm aware, or have researched though,

1. You must have minimum of 1650.00 euro money for private training (if you look up www.daycourse.com you'll find it), YOU CANNOT WORK AS PRIVATE SECTOR MEDICAL PROVIDER until you're 21 and still must redo the exam for them

2. If your going up training for public you must have a head on your shoulder and destined to help people naturally and not being forced to.

It is very hard to get in but you must have at minimum a full car licence and the health board request it to be clean with a D1 although some others want C1.

For more info ask me more detailed or set questions

medic5

I found a company in Galway that does EFR & EMT training for the public.
I just got a place on their EMT Course.
http://ambulancetraining.webs.com

alrilad

Hey all just wondering what can emts do? im doing the emt course in the coming months with the hope of move on to paramedic level if I can get into the hse??! can emts use entenox and what is different from the efr course? thanks

medic5

Well, on my course we were allowed to administer entonox. We had to learn it for pharmacology. The drugs we covered were Aspirin, GTN, Entonox, Oxygen, Epi 1;1000, Glucose Gel, Glucagon. I suppose one of the biggest differences between the EFR and EMT is the extra drugs, 12 lead ecgs, using glucometeres, and spinal treatment board & KED (where as an EMT you are the practitioner). Hope this is some use to you. Have our exams next week!

alrilad

My EMT course doesnt start till the new year.. am I mad to do it will I get work from it???????:(

medic5

Well three of my class have interviews with a private company IF we pass the exams...............not jobs, just interviews. BUT I just want to get next week out of the way first. It's stressfull at the moment 16 of us in for a refresher week.

medic5

:DExams over! didn't see my name up for a resit, which means I probably passed, OR I stuffed two primary's and am not entitled to a resit
But felt exams went well both the MCQ's and practicals! :cool:
About 3-4 tricky MCQ questions, but think I prob got the rest of them!

djtechnics1210

medic5 wrote: »

Well, on my course we were allowed to administer entonox. We had to learn it for pharmacology. The drugs we covered were Aspirin, GTN, Entonox, Oxygen, Epi 1;1000, Glucose Gel, Glucagon. I suppose one of the biggest differences between the EFR and EMT is the extra drugs, 12 lead ecgs, using glucometeres, and spinal treatment board & KED (where as an EMT you are the practitioner). Hope this is some use to you. Have our exams next week!

What EFR course did you do?... was looking at the galway companies EFR course and they dont make reference to drug administration during the course. Interested in finding out what course will teach administration etc.
Also if your have EFR training already is the EMT course shortened or do ya have to do the full course.
Thanks
DJ

maglite

Do EMT's do XII i thought they only did 3 lead?,


Can someone with 120 hours really be proficient with rhythms in a XII.

medic5

We did the drugs on the EMT Course. On the EFR course we covered, GTN, Aspirin, Oxygen, and spoke about Glucose gel.
As for the 12 lead, we learned about lead placements, and we had to know seven rhythms for the PHECC Exam, they used Lifepak 12's for our course, but we only had to use four leads for scenarios.

Tango Alpha 51

Epi 1 in 1000 & Glucagon are IM medications and EMT's are not allowed administer them. Paramedic & Advance Paramedic grades are the only ones authorised to administer IM medications by the PHECC

medic5

Yes, Fully agree with you.
However, we may administer a persons own Epi pen.
We had to learn the other drugs Epi 1:1000 and Glucagon as they are on the PHECC list for EMT's, and are supported by PHECC EMT CPG's.
The Glycaemic Emergency CPG supports administration of Glucagon, and there is also a supporting CPG for the administration of an Epi Pen
Section E of the PHECC standard,Objective 10.3, page 127, of the EMT Objectives covers the administration of Intramuscular Injections.
On the last NATS EMT (not Paramedic) class were examined on Naloxone in their exams.
So we also had to cover it on our course.
It's all in the air, so they covered all the bases by getting us to learn a load of the drugs.
Can't wait to do the Paramedic course if I can get to interview.
It must be very difficult, as the EMT course was tough going.

timmywex

Ah you surely will medic5, with emt course done they will more than likely give you an interview anyways. That would certainly make sense! But it is the hse afterall

medic5

Hi Timmywex, thanks for that, got the exams officially, cert in the post :D Delighted to have it done!

metman

HSE EMT Trainee 2009

medic5

Hi, just to share with anyone interested the Irish Ambulance Training Institute in Galway are running an interview preparation course for the jobs in the HSE. Have not done it, but I'm going to do it for these interviews.

Elessar

medic5 wrote: »

Hi, just to share with anyone interested the Irish Ambulance Training Institute in Galway are running an interview preparation course for the jobs in the HSE. Have not done it, but I'm going to do it for these interviews.

Medic5 - if you manage to do the interviews with the HSE for this recruitment, let us know how it goes, what questions are asked and how long it takes.

I dont have my licences yet so cant apply but it'll be incredibly handy for anyone heading in to one on their next campaign (whenever that will be)!

civildefence

I'm awaiting a date for an EMT course from NATS. Is my membership of the Civil Defence sufficient to stay on the PHECC register or would I have to be employed as a full time practitioner? I am paying for this course myself in the hope of gaining employment with a private ambulance firm so I don't want to waste my time and money. Also does anybody know if NATS provide your placements for you?

Thanks in advance

Elessar

civildefence wrote: »

I'm awaiting a date for an EMT course from NATS. Is my membership of the Civil Defence sufficient to stay on the PHECC register or would I have to be employed as a full time practitioner? I am paying for this course myself in the hope of gaining employment with a private ambulance firm so I don't want to waste my time and money. Also does anybody know if NATS provide your placements for you?

Thanks in advance

I didn't know NATS took private people anymore? They certainly dont for the Paramedic course anyway. Once you're Phecc registered, you'll stay on the register. Although for practitioner level I believe there are re tests or re exams once every year or two that you have to pass to stay on it. Details should be available on the Phecc website.

Afaik NATS does not provide placements for you. I could be wrong though. Was told about a colleague in my organisation who is in one of the privates and they sent him to NATS for his EMT, but he had to secure his own placements. He found it difficult with all the "you're takin our jobs!" attitude of the HSE. Got them eventually.

medic5

I did my EMT course with the IATI in Galway, they organised my placements. Two of my friends did the course with NATS and NATS secured their placements for them.
As for the register, currently there is no stipulation to have any patient contacts per year to stay on the register.
With the vols, the same applies, but if you are covering duties and seeing patients, then just keep a log, will probably cover you.
Hope this helps.

civildefence

Thanks Lads, i'll have to dig deeper with the placements issue. NATS won't take you unless you are a member of an organisation that has permission to use PHECC CPGs, and they require a letter of nomination by a high ranking officer/manager recommending you. It took many calls and emails to NATS to find this out. Seemly DFB are also preparing a new EMT course for the summer/autumn with the same restrictions.

alrilad

Hey all,

I,ve just finished my Emt course and im waiting to get my exams. just wondering is anyone hopfull of getting in with Hse this time round? I have only my C1 licence so I cant go for it this time but I hope i,ll be ready for the next time.. Also maybe im way off the mark but ive heard they might be recruiting again this year!!