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[audio:14_BeginPSchool.mp3] (29:43) This week we talk about how many EMS schools there are in Texas and how many of them are accredited. Ron started the Lone Star College North Harris two year paramedic program, which is accredited, this week.
We talk a lot about that program and how it is structured. Ron asked the head of his program, Dr. Bill Drees about different rules they have like not requiring Anatomy and Physiology as a prerequisite and the no visible tattoo rule.
We also announced a few things that we will be doing. On September 23 we’ll be on the Dr Anonymous Show live on BlogTalk Radio. At that same time Kelly will be at the National EMS Expo in Dallas, Texas and wants you to meet him and buy him an adult beverage. In November we’ll be doing a live shot at the Texas EMS Expo in Austin, where you can meet both of us, ask your own newbie questions get autographs.
We also answer a listener question about going straight to P-school from basic.
Aw dang! I would love to meet you guys! But I’m studying abroad in Czech Republic until the beginning of November….Please let us know if something like this happens again and hopefully that time I will be able to make it!
We have a regionally accredited course at Grayson County College in Denison, TX. Our class is 2 semesters long from 9am-5pm every 3rd day except Sundays. I just came out of EMT last spring thinking maybe I’ll be able to find work at one of the various agencies here in north Texas, but EMTs are a dime a dozen. I had planned to go to pschool from the beginning, but you basically have to be a paramedic to get into EMS it seems like.
Seems that way here in Houston too. At least if you want to work 911. And you aren’t a fireman. HFD handles EMS for Houston proper and my understanding is they run BLS ambulances with mostly Basics on them. But I’m pretty sure all those basics are firemen.
All the other 911 services require at least an Intermediate for a full time job, though I’ve met a couple of Basics that work there.
I was told you could get work with transfer services as a Basic, but most Basics just volunteer to get the experience.
I think it’s interesting that you guys are talking about whether to get experience as a basic first or go strait to paramedic school because here they require you to work as a basic for at least a year before you can go to paramedic school. I kinda wonder if that has to do with how easy it is to get a job as a basic in different areas of the country?
I just started my basic classes last week. We were told that the state of Michigan in 2013 is going away from the national registary over a dispute over college accredation. How is that going to affect me getting a job in the future??
They used to have the same rule in Louisiana, Tina.
As far as I know, I was the first person they ever waived it for. I was an EMT-B for five months when I started an accelerated medic school, and i got my EMT-P one year to the day after I got my EMT-B. Shortly after I graduated, the state EMS office threw out the rule altogether.
Not sure how that’ll play out in Michigan, Ken. The accreditation requirement affects only paramedic programs, not EMT-B. So presumably, you’ll be eligible to test for your NREMT-Basic exam, if not in Michigan, then in another National Registry state.
As it is now, reciprocity between states is already so convoluted it’s ridiculous, even between two supposed National Registry states.
It’s all up to the school you want to take your paramedic classes at. Some places suggest or require some experience, however the school I got my basic at (unfortunately, one of those “EMT Mills”) he was trying to talk me into taking the paramedic course right away.