As usual crazy amounts of time between updates…  ‘Tis the norm, wouldn’t want to disappoint.

I had completed all of my requirements last year then went on to testing.  Different states have different requirements…  I got my national liscence…then my Rhode Island, then my Massachusetts.

I started practising in the field in November of last year(2007).

So as of now I have been a practising paramedic for 13 months… I’ve enjoyed it a lot.  I’m still with Alert Ambulance in Fall River.  I have a great schedule Sunday (16 hours), Monday (12 hours), Tuesday (16 hours) for a total of 44 hours in 3 days with 4 days off a week…

So far, so good…

Here is an update on my medic program…

There are 3 sets of requirements that must be met before you can take the test to get a paramedic license.

1) 220 hours of classroom.

2) 442 hours of hospital internship.

3) 150 hours of ambulance ride time.

I’ve completed the classroom time and the hospital time. All that’s left is the ride time. Today was my 4th shift on the ambulance (10 hour shifts x4) so I’ve completed 40 of 150 hours. So the entire program is 812 hours long, and I have 702 done with 110 left (86% done)

But in addition to the hours you have to get “points” which are signatures to attest that you have completed certain competencies. Two of the hardest points to get are intubation (placing of a endotracheal breathing tube) and “electrical” therapy (defibrillation, cardioversion, or transcutaneous pacing). The reason that these skills are tough to get is that the opportunity to use them is rare. They are only used on a person who is either in a cardiac arrest, or very close.

Today I got both of these skills in one shift. My first patient of the day and my last were in cardiac arrest which allowed us to use these skills. So now all thats left is the remaining hours and common skills like IV lines and patient assessments…

Should be done within a couple of months. Then on to the tests…

On Thursday (April 6th 2006) I took my final exam for my paramedic class. Passed the final, passed the class, passed my ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support). This makes it possible for me to start my hospital time. Most likely I will be doing it at Charlton Memorial Hospital.