Admissions Criteria

[Nate]

Okay, so how about preference to Veterans? Anybody believe in that?

I don't see how being a veteran military medic is going to make you any better then a veteran street medic. I believe that everyone should have to meet the same requirements. I don't believe in giving someone a "boost" because of race or sex, the same goes for street time or military time.

[fire911medic]

Experience? How much and what type?

experience - minimum 2 years high volume ALS service for the area (at least 10,000 runs a year as is difficult to achieve more than that in my area), 5 years if non ALS or low volume service. Must be EMS as well, not fire runs included in that. No people waiting for their basic card so they can start medic class (as I have seen so much around here)

Job status? Are those currently in EMS given preference to those working non-emergency or in another field?

Preferably full time EMS 911 service, second to full time non emergency transport, third full time ER/occ health/clinic, fourth part time 911, then part time non emergency and finally part time ER/occ health/clinic positions. If not actively employed in EMS, I have reservations about letting into class unless they are willing to sign an agreement for a position with a company for the length of class as it does not benefit us to train people who will not use their skills. Volunteers considered on an individual basis with recommendation of their director/chief.

Prerequisites? How much and what type?

Prerequisites - well, for starters must have graduated with a C average in high school, completed two years of college though degree not required with classes in anatomy, physiology, basic english, math, and medical terminology and preferably pharmacology. All with a minimum grade of a C achieved - not a C average. I don't want idiots working on me someday.

Education? Their high school GPA? Their college transcript? Is more always better? Does the MA in Fine Arts get preference over the third year Biology major?

Education - read above for pre-req

Aptitude testing or intelligence? What kind?

aptitude testing similar to what the asvab test for the armed forces does to identify your strong and weak points. Intelligence testing- N/A as I assume if you can achieve the above requirements at an accredited college then you can cut it in my class. A psych eval would not be totally out of the question.

Medical knowledge testing? Who makes the test and what sort of test is it?

Written test involving questions similar to NR having to pass each 'section' with a minimum score of 80, practical with no failed stations, and test would be made by pulling questions from various test banks for basics (ie mosby, brady, aaos) with practical having 5 drawn stations such as medical emergency (1 out of 3 standard scenarios), trauma, general truck duties (changing O2, stretcher operation, etc), CPR performance with AED, and splinting. All administered by EMS personnel with at least two years experience and approved preceptors. May be basic or medic.

Personality or psychological testing? Specifics?

personality to determine your strong suits, and psychological to hopefully weed out anyone who might be a loose cannon

Physical condition or agility testing? What type, and who sets the standards? How?

Yep, definitely. Similar to fire testing. Be able to climb three flights of stairs and down with an O2 bag, ALS bag, and monitor in hand. Lift a stretcher with trauma terry loaded on it with a second person assisting. Must demonstrate ability to work on both head and foot end. Lift a person in a stair chair (terry trauma) up and down ten steps successfully. Be in good physical ability to perform required tasks of a medic per independent doctor's statement picked by us. Though in case of possible disqualifying medical conditions, letter from personal specialist dealing with that condition would allow acceptance.

Drug testing? Urine screening, that is.

Don't leave the station without it. You get screened via urine and hair my friend.

Criminal history check? What disqualifies and what does not disqualify?

You bet. Minor traffic stuff doesn't disqualify including license suspension provided not for a DUI as there may be many reasons for suspension ranging from a forgotten speeding ticket to a medical condition. If you EVER had a DUI, you are out of my class, sorry, find someone else's, drug use is same way. Disciplinary action taken on EMS license would be considered individually, with favorable recommendation from state board and current EMS employer. Any assault charges would be considered individually as well considering it may be a case of self defense. Dead beat dads, need not apply. Driving record would also be considered for the previous 3 years barring any major offenses.

Personal interviews? What do you want to ask them? What answers do you want to hear? What answers do you NOT want to hear? What do you want them to ask you?

Yep, what are your goals, tell me why YOU want to do this, do you understand what will be required of you, have you ever started class before, did you not pass or not finish, why, ask me what the goals of class are, about instruction methods, where clincals will be done, instructor/student ratio, lab time, etc show me that you care about the class for more than a patch on your shirt. Don't tell me you want to do this 'cause you want more toys to play with or you think it's cool, or you're tired of being a basic.

Letters of recommendation? From whom would it make a difference?

Preferably one from a college professor from the above required courses, your current employer, and someone you have known for at least 3 years that is aware of what EMS is. A recommendation from your medical director would play highly in your favor.

Time on the waiting list? Does an applicant who was qualified this time, but was not admitted for lack of space, get preference next semester?

Waiting list would be until next class started as applicants would be ranked and informed of their ranking before final announcements were made. That list would be maintained until a student requested to be taken off or was accepted into class. Only top 50% would be offered a spot on the waiting list. Those below would have to retest to be considered for acceptance. List would go in that order. Original acceptance, then new people. If that didn't fill class, all well, small class makes for better instruction and lab time !

This is actually very similar to the requirements for the course I went through. I thought it served me well. Has a few minor changes, but I do believe it's adequate.

[tinman694]

Here we go with another 'what we should do for educational requirements'

From what has been posted earlier--no one who has posted even comes close to having the education compared to the BS being dished out...If you don't have the paper...then why is it you can tell others they have to have it?

Geez....does it sound like I am in a bad mood today or what?

(BTW..I do have the paper and would not DREAM of commenting on program requirements...the more you learn, the less you know!)

[Savoy6]

Being the only paramedic in my high school class of 150+, let me make some observations. I have a dispoportionate number of lawyers, doctors and nurses in my class. How did they get there. I spent 6 years roaming as an EMT because at that time Paramedic was not available in the areas I lived in. While I'm honing my skills, these folks are in med school, nursing or law school, they graduate and now are in practice.

Did they have X amount of cases before the bar for admission- nope

Couple are OB/GYN- deliver X amount of babies first- nope

The education process prepared them or weeded them out. Then they worked as externs, interns and resident....

Once again we focus on number of runs, years of experience. Give me solid data that proves that makes a better EMT or Paramedic. The focus should be aptitude to get in, and if you want physical requiremnts, make them task oriented, and be sure you can pass them too. A good leadership axiom, never ask the troops to do something you can't do yourself. Add physical fitness to a class. I did and it was fun. We led the group in PT and ran in the morning, no one was sleeping later. Oh yeah, liability! So's turning out sub-par EMS "professionals". Look around EMS, physical fitness is not a priority, but you send out of shape folks out everyday under stress and expect optimum performance. And you get terrbile results.

A 5 k run. Why, I have an ambulance to drive me there. Anyone out ever had to run 5k to get to a patient. Were you able to work with your pulse racing and muscles hurting?? Read some studies of combat physiologly as far as focusing and fine motor skills. The skills EMS folks need.

There needs to be a balancing act- not just a heartbeat and a check that doesn't bounce. Be careful on criminal backgrounds, you may be missing some folks. It should be case by case, relative and recency.

OOPS another rant.

[Arizonaffcep]

The focus should be aptitude to get in, and if you want physical requiremnts, make them task oriented, and be sure you can pass them too. A good leadership axiom, never ask the troops to do something you can't do yourself. Add physical fitness to a class. I did and it was fun. We led the group in PT and ran in the morning, no one was sleeping later. Oh yeah, liability! So's turning out sub-par EMS "professionals". Look around EMS, physical fitness is not a priority, but you send out of shape folks out everyday under stress and expect optimum performance. And you get terrbile results.

A 5 k run. Why, I have an ambulance to drive me there. Anyone out ever had to run 5k to get to a patient. Were you able to work with your pulse racing and muscles hurting?? Read some studies of combat physiologly as far as focusing and fine motor skills. The skills EMS folks need.

There needs to be a balancing act- not just a heartbeat and a check that doesn't bounce. Be careful on criminal backgrounds, you may be missing some folks. It should be case by case, relative and recency.

OOPS another rant.

On 3 separate occasions, I have had to hike into area parks (one of which was all the way up Picacho Peak) to get to Pts before they were air lifted to the hospital.

[Savoy6]

you may have missed my point(sarcasm) about the 5k. In EMS speed is good, but strength and endurance is better. Give me a St Bernard, not a whippet or greyhound. We need to not only get there but also get them out. I'm glad we have folks like you to respond in those areas. It is not a one size fits all type response

[towheadedmule]

Veteran status alone should not count, even medics. What classes they took as medics/corpsmen should matter. I find myself using my sick call screeners training more than my paramedic training on the streets.

18D, Independent Duty Corpsman, 8404 Corpsman, EMFB (any schumk can get shot at, EFMB is earned, not trying to downgrade the troops, but a purple heart is not a Go on life), Sickcall screeners (not sure of army equivalent). These are usually good additions to programs given a good R code.

PJs I think are already paramedics.

The Quad zero Corpsman that emptied bedpans at the Naval Hospital in Beaufort SC is not a good choice.

as for FineArts vs Science.... Medical schools like Fine arts for physicians, why shouldn't we. Our former Clinical Coordinator at EMSA in Tulsa had a degree in Art History. Didn't make him less a paramedic. Might even say a broader minded one. Some Science majors are not able to articulate with patients who don't understand that cardiac history means the HTN and AMI. What about the person with an AA or BA in Spanish?

Experience.... Higher for people in High volume services. Billy Bobs transfer service with runs to the nursing home to take Aunt Pootie back is not the same as 8-16 patients of varying acuities over a 12 hour shift.

YMMV

R

[Savoy6]

I think you meant EFMB

[towheadedmule]

crud. Well like the gunny said I may not be smart but I will be strong. LOL.

[Ridryder 911]

Experience.... Higher for people in High volume services. Billy Bobs transfer service with runs to the nursing home to take Aunt Pootie back is not the same as 8-16 patients of varying acuities over a 12 hour shift.

R

Nor does those EMS that responds to those 12-15 calls in 12 hours. How much patient care was really performed and detailed assessment for such a quick turn around. Load and go, is no better than a transfer service.

R/r 911