PMA EMT Book List

[Siffaliss]

I started the EMT program at PMA in Calgary in June 2006. Would rather have taken it in St. Albert as I live in Edmonton, however they didn't have enough applicants at the time so Calgary it was. We finished up around mid-September, had hospital practicums in Stony Plain the first week of October. I personally waited until the first week of January for my ambulance practicum, which of course pissed me off. The whole reason for me relocating everything was for the purpose of being able to write ACP in February, not in June as I recently did. I did however have a good practicum spot and an excellent paramedic preceptor, and was successful at ACP. My preceptor happened to have taken his medics at PMA, and I felt quite comfortable that he knew precisely what he was doing and knew his stuff.

What you will find should you choose to take your EMT at PMA (St. Albert OR Calgary) is that they deliver a great program. They don't just teach you about how to treat a condition or disease, they teach you the how's/why's/what's about it, including how to treat and results of various tx's. Keep up with your studies, contribute intelligently in class and you'll end up with a fairly thorough EMT knowledge base. I am quite happy with the quality of education I have received from PMA as an EMT-A, and know that it will carry me forward one day into being a successful paramedic. Whether or not I choose to do my medics at PMA, well, I've still got a couple years to think about that.

The administrative side of things however leaves a veritable plethora of questions unanswered, frustrations and concerns unaddressed, and a bad taste in one's mouth. (This is not unlike what I've heard about other smaller private schools). I didn't enjoy feeling like I was being bitched at if I called and someone had to answer the phone. One would think they had won the freakin' lottery if she was actually not "in a meeting" or even returned your phone call(s). Yes if you find yourself on Kim's bad side for whatever reason, time stands still and life becomes miserable at school. She is no different than a lot of people I've met in the industry, and our industry is one in which people eat their young. Sometimes we have to just smile and "take it up the ass".

We each would of course as we further ourselves in EMS, make a conscious decision on how we treat the newbs and those who are perhaps not as quick on their feet. Kim is by far not my most favorite person in the world. She is however very intelligent, a great paramedic, and has been doing at least a few things right to make it where she is today. She won't baby anyone, but she does have her favorites as I think we all do.

I personally think they favor the paramedic students as they pay far more for their course than we do, which makes it the "bread and butter" of PMA. Thing is, a lot of us EMT's who took our EMT at PMA will one day want to go further and go through the paramedic program. I know I will, and even now have narrowed the choice down between 3 schools with PMA being one of them. Not an instant decision for me due to the administrative experience as an EMT student being as crappy as it was. Good program however, so who knows. I've got time to think as this step is 2 years+ away for me. Gotta get a good solid grip on BLS before you do ALS.

*pant pant*

After all that babbling, if I were to rate my experience at PMA I'd give them a 10/10 for quality of education received. Expect to get your money's worth education-wise. They'd get a 3/10 for the administrative side of things. Thing is, someone is always going to piss you off at some point in this industry. I felt if I couldn't handle it at this level, how would I handle it later on? You have to decide which is more important ... feeling warm and fuzzy all over while you spend $5000+ on a course which teaches you nothing more than the underside of a stethoscope ... or getting a good solid education and learning to stand on your own two feet in one of the most difficult industries to enter, STAY & be HAPPY in.

As for the textbook question, if I were to wager a guess it would be that the person wanted to see if they could find the books cheaper elsewhere?

[911Laurie]

Hi There,

Thanks everyone for all your imput! Who knew asking for a book list would get so many replies! I am thinking of taking their EMT review and I just wanted to see what books they use so I would be prepared.

[Siffaliss]

Hi 911Laurie,

The 2 main texts we used were ...

Mosby's EMT Intermediate Textbook

Edition 2

Emergency Care And Transportation Of The Sick And Injured (9th edition)

Published by Jones & Bartlett

I would recommend contacting PMA prior to purchasing any books to verify they were used in the most recent courses, so ya don't waste your $$

Also, ask if you can even take the review course there if you took your EMT at another school. I wouldn't see why not, but of course methods/information vary from school to school.

[911Laurie]

Thanks Siffaliss!

I'm trained out of province and I just recieved the info for their next course and I am allowed to attend. Just have to decide now if I really want to spend the 800$$ but thank you for answering my question!

[Siffaliss]

No prob, and good luck to you