EMT-I or EMT-P

[emtbasic13]

Hello I am a EMT-B in the state of South Carolina. I was wondering if anyone has ever worked in SC as a EMT-I. My question is did yoyu enjoy it or did you want to be a medic more. I am debating on going to medic school soon or just being a emt-i for a few years while I finisgh my B.S. Then going to medic school. I plan to work for a private service for a while doing IFT's full time and working for a county 911 P/T in a another year or so. I am just not sure if being a emt-i for a 911 service will be something I enjoy or will I want to be a medic doing 911. Don't get me wrong theres nothing wrong with being a emt-i, its just medics get to do more stuff. Any feed back is welcome.

[JTpaintball70]

I'd say skip EMT-I and just go straight for medic. Not so much for the skills, but for the higher education compared to lower levels.

[Lone Star]

I'd say skip EMT-I and just go straight for medic. Not so much for the skills, but for the higher education compared to lower levels.

Not sure if SC is the same as GA, but I know that in GA, you can't get a job as an EMT-B.

The EMT-I course is part of the EMT-B course. The first 6 months of the class is EMT-B, and the next 3 after that are EMT-I. I wasn't real enthused by that, as the more advanced course was only half as long as the basics. You'd think that the increased procedures and wider scope of practice would take longer to be taught....

As far as going straight to medic, it's a sound suggestion. The increased education will only be of benefit to your patients.

[snoopy911]

I really can't speak for SC, because i don't know what their scope of practice is. But in some states, There is very little difference between EMT-I and EMT-P. In Maryland, the only difference between the two, is nasal intubation, and the 4 paralytic drugs. The protocols are also completely the same. But, Maryland is crazy! They call their EMT-I medics, and their EMT-P are called Paramedic. Anyway, I am always an advocate of higher education. But, I also understand that sometimes, you just need to get some education, so you can make some money, so you can get some further education. That being said, I would say get your EMT-I, and work and make some money while going further. Don't stop there!

Sorry for the rambling post, these pain meds are not doing me or my grammar any favors

[emtbasic13]

Well thanks a lot. To answer some of your questions in SC we have the i/85. With is about the same as a basic but you get to administer D50 and start IV's plus a couple advance airways ( use to be able to intubate, but they took that away from basics and intermediates in SC in 2008 ). I think I am going to get my EMT-I next year like I planned and finish my BS before going to medic school. Since I'll probably work for a IFT for about the next two years minimum, Rushing to medic school want be to big of a deal. I was just wondering about when I go to a 911 service being a intermediate. But it probably want bother me because most calls are bls anyway. Plus I'll still get to do IV's. I do plan to become a medic, I want to make ems a career so thats a must.

Also unlike in GA, in SC all you need is a basic cert. to work on a ambulance

[Richard B the EMT]

In the years prior to the merger into the FDNY, the NYC EMS had a policy, that even if an applicant was already a Paramedic outside of the service, they would be employed as an EMT (no D or B, just EMT) for their first year, before being accepted into the service's classes for Paramedic. Presumption was, the new employee needed to get a years worth of experience in the way NYC EMS did things,

Nowadays, new and untried Paramedics are almost hired as they walk in off the street.

I'm including this just as an FYI, and for your consideration.

[Lone Star]

Well thanks a lot. To answer some of your questions in SC we have the i/85. With is about the same as a basic but you get to administer D50 and start IV's plus a couple advance airways ( use to be able to intubate, but they took that away from basics and intermediates in SC in 2008 ). I think I am going to get my EMT-I next year like I planned and finish my BS before going to medic school. Since I'll probably work for a IFT for about the next two years minimum, Rushing to medic school want be to big of a deal. I was just wondering about when I go to a 911 service being a intermediate. But it probably want bother me because most calls are bls anyway. Plus I'll still get to do IV's. I do plan to become a medic, I want to make ems a career so thats a must.

Also unlike in GA, in SC all you need is a basic cert. to work on a ambulance

I thought SC had the I/99 as well....

In GA, you're lucky if you can find a service that will hire you as an EMT-B, and IF you do, you'll more than likely only be a driver....

[FormerEMSLT297]

NREMT-P is the most marketable skills you will have in EMS, EMT's are a dime a dozen, EMT-I's are close, Paramedics a little less in the numbers ....

Go for full medic, it will only help you in the end.

[firemedic37]

emtbasic13,

Everyone has different thoughts as to what someone should do, however I don't know enough about you to decide if you should take the EMT-I or Paramedic course. You know yourself the best and you are the one going to be living with your desicion, not us. Do what your heart tells you to do and go with it, you will never regret it!

As far as the EMT-I thing I am in Iowa and we have both EMT-I/85 and EMT-I/99. EMT-I/85 has only a two main skills gained and they are you get to start IV's and draw labs. Of course you are also taught more indepth assessment of pt's then EMT-B. And in Iowa this leve is called EMT-I.

Then we have the EMT-I/95 they have almost all the Paramedic skills, they can administer almost any medication that is not a paralytic, intubation, needle decompression, cardiac monitoring, mannual defib and several other skills. And they are called EMT-Paramedic in Iowa.

Our NREMT-Paramedics are called Paramedic Specialists and can do RSI,12-lead interuptation and other advanced skills. The biggest difference is the amount of schooling required and pay. 600 - 800 hrs for EMT-Paramedic and 1,600+ for Paramedic Specialists.

Wish you the best of luck!

Firemedic37

[Alex Woo]

A B will say B.

An I will say I. There will be a fight between the I-85 & I-99.

A CC will say CC.

A P will say P... But P is high.