International Reciprocity

[zippyRN]

I'm interested in the requirements of UK EMS where can I find more information on it?

see my previous post or excuse plug come and have a look at www.ambulance999.co.uk - the forums on there are very good in terms of a Uk focused EMS forum and it has a good mix of people from all sectors and services

otherwise look up Paramedic scence courses on ucas.ac.uk

[moretimedoing]

Very dependent upon what country you are talking about. Pretty much any country worth going to has standards so far ahead of ours that they'd laugh you out the door. Especially a US EMT-B, which is the joke of the EMS world. Some might let a paramedic challenge their exam. Most would require some additional training since protocols and procedures are VERY different for paramedics worldwide, unlike nursing, which is more standardised. It would take you time to learn local protocols and procedures, as well as laws and drug names before you could even think of passing their exam.

It can be done. But without a degree and proof of substantial 911 experience, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible in most places.

If you're serious about being a professional, you would be much better off simply going to another country and attending paramedic school there, then working there.

"unlike nursing which is standardised" ----- is that statement a joke. I have worked in both hospital based trauma services and prehospital ems since 1994. A blanket statement suggesting that U.S. or foreign trained nurses can hold a candle to an EMT is moronic. Unlike nurses many EMT basics in the united states are responsible for care of the patient door to door. Oftentimes the EMT basic is the only level that is able to care for even critically injured patients until more highly CERTIFIED professionals arrive. Based on my now 15 years experience with RN's; only about 25% could perform at the EMT level. Only about half of those 25% could perform at or above the skills of a decent EMT-Paramedic. Most nurses in the United States exit with a R.N. license after two(2) years of rudimentary nursing training. Of course most paramedics are trained for the same two(2) years OR more in ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT. As far as other countries laughing at the EMT-B certification, I wouldn't know. I do know that few if any states accept foreign training in EMS. I also KNOW that the national registry does not recognise foreign trained Medics. On this disparity, there should be a national accreditation body. Still, to suggest that a medic in Britain is somehow more experienced or has thousands of more hours of training...well that just sounds like a pretty long stretch...And frankly the facts do not show this to be true. Typical US medics have well over 4000 hours of didactic and clinical training by the end of EMT-B through NR-EMT-P. Of course there is always the exception to the above facts. Besides who wants to go to Israel and get shot at when I can just stay here in lovely downtown detroit.

[chbare]

Four thousand hours? Up until the last year or so, the DOT NSC called for a Basic EMT curriculum of about 110 hours, and a paramedic curriculum of just over 1,000 hours. A fact check may be in order.

Take care,

chbare.

[FireMedic65]

Wow, talk about bringing up an old thread! But, I do like to see this. Someone actually using the search button. Like others have said, it really depends on where you are going. If you are a paramedic, with or without a degree, that might matter in some places. One country may require it, another may not. Different provinces or states within that country may require different things too.

I suggest, getting all the certifications you may think you need, and get a few more. Compile them all together on a, I don't know.. a resume maybe. Contact the agency that over sees EMS in given country, and talk to them.

[JPINFV]

Typical US medics have well over 4000 hours of didactic and clinical training by the end of EMT-B through NR-EMT-P.

Food for thought. 4000 hours is the statutory minimum undergraduate medical education (medical school) for physician education in California. Somehow I doubt that paramedics complete as much in less than a year in many cases as a physician does in 4 years. Heck... 4000 hours is 46% of the hours in a single year. Are you seriously going to tell me that paramedics spend 23% (2 year program) or 46% of their time in class? Remember, this includes days off like weekends and holidays.

[scott33]

Oftentimes the EMT basic is the only level that is able to care for even critically injured patients until more highly CERTIFIED professionals arrive.

Correct, many systems have to rely on basics for their entire prehospital care needs. Having 110-hour first aiders at the top of the EMS ladder only shows the flaws of those particular systems, not necessarily how proficient those basics are.

Based on my now 15 years experience with RN's; only about 25% could perform at the EMT level. Only about half of those 25% could perform at or above the skills of a decent EMT-Paramedic.

.

By "Perform[ing] at the EMT level", are you talking about manual skills such as applying KEDs and tractions splints? Well, yes, most RNs do not need to learn how to use these, although they could easily be taught to a performing chimpanzee. However, I would put any RN, even a lactation consultant, up against a 110 hour first aider to obtain a more comprehensive history and physical exam from their patient.

Most nurses in the United States exit with a R.N. license after two(2) years of rudimentary nursing training. Of course most paramedics are trained for the same two(2) years OR more in ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT.

Incorrect...citation please

Typical US medics have well over 4000 hours of didactic and clinical training by the end of EMT-B through NR-EMT-P. Of course there is always the exception to the above facts.

Incorrect...citation please.

[zippyRN]

<snip>

.

By "Perform[ing] at the EMT level", are you talking about manual skills such as applying KEDs and tractions splints? Well, yes, most RNs do not need to learn how to use these, although they could easily be taught to a performing chimpanzee. However, I would put any RN, even a lactation consultant, up against a 110 hour first aider to obtain a more comprehensive history and physical exam from their patient.

It seems the poster Scott was replying to is confusing 'interventions' with 'skills' , most RNs couldn't put a KED on if you just threw one at them, ( same as most EMTs couldn't apply 4 layer bandaging, change a VAC dressing on surgical wound or do a continence assessment )

but then again most RNs aren't pre-hospital care providers or ED specialists ... those of us (RNs) with a decent amount of emergency care clinical practice and the necessary 'performing chimp' training can do so .

I also suspect we (RNs) can better rationalise the choices and clinical decisions we make than many EMS providers, especially where it's solely a 'training' preparation for clinical practice and people are working to protocols , regardless of whether they have 'mother may I?' medical control or not ...

4000 hours that's a novel one - the EU requires nurse pre-registration education to be 4600 hours in length 50 / 50 split between the (university) classroom and clinical practice ) that's 122 and 2/3rds working weeks ...

Edited December 10, 2009 by zippyRN