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Hi, in Germany we experience a new step in medic qualification. There is a law pending, that will really boost the education and professionalism. The name of the new profession "Notfall-Sanitäter" is kind of weird, but we will get used to this in say 20 years, I'm sure. Background: in Germany, at the moment there are about two non-professional levels ("Sanitäter", "Rettungs-Helfer") and two professional levels ("Rettungs-Sanitäter", "Rettungs-Assistent") where the latter is a real protected profession with a state certified (nationwide) one year education followed by a one year internship. Now they want to introduce a new level, the "Notfall-Sanitäter" as protected profession, nationwide state certified, full three years education (including internships) and most notable: you need a paid job contract to be allowed to get into EMS school. At the moment anyone can (and usually is forced to) pay the school at own expense - in future an organization has to pay for it and will select the staff far more closely. Hopefully this will raise not only the overall quality in prehospital care but profession awareness and - most important - pay. For international discussion (and update of the Wikipedia page about german EMS) it would be helpful to have an understanding, to what U.S. level the education is comparable. Any other nation is appreciated, too. At the moment, it's about the following - as I see it: "Sanitäter" (50-70 hrs course) = "Advanced First Responder" "Rettungs-Helfer" (160hrs course, some internship in hospital and EMS) = "EMT Basic" "Rettungs-Sanitäter" (520hrs including 160hr "Rettungs-Helfer" theory, 160hr internship in hospital, 160hr EMS internship and 40hr additional theory training just before exam) = "EMT Intermediate/Advanced" "Rettungs-Assistent" (1 year theory and clinical internship, 1 year EMS internship) = "Paramedic". How would this shift, when the new "Notfall-Sanitäter" (3 year education needing a paid contract with a EMS organization) is in effect? Since "Paramedic" is considered the highest level (?), this then would be the "counterpart" in my view. What would you think? Thank you very much! Bernhard P.S.: upgrade to the new level will be possible only with taking a test - I sure have to spend more time on EMTcity to stay on top of things!