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What's everyone HCE like?


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Hey guys, no real reason for posting other than I just enjoy hearing about other people's background in medicine. I'll start, I've been a paramedic for the past 9 years and I'm currently two years into my undergrad. Studying biology and picking up shifts on the weekends. I love my job and doing patient care but completing a college degree has always been a goal of mine so I'm back in school and wanting to level up my skills and work a job that doesn't require such long hours and low pay. What's everyone else's experience like and what's prompting you to try for PA?

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Hi, I'm a paramedic as well but brand new and just started working with a 911 service this year. I was an army medic in a previous life. The PAs I've met and worked with in my travels have been inspiring and I'm eager to join their ranks. Are you out at NC state? If so, greetings from a fellow North Carolinian :)

 

Good luck with everything!

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Thanks NC 30. I really need to change that user name, I made it before I was accepted to UNC Chapel Hill which is where I'm at now. Always good to hear from a fellow North Carolinian. Welcome to the world of civilian EMS. It's an interesting bunch of people and a truly unique experience in a lot of ways. Hope you're learning a lot on your first year on the road!

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Hi there...I'm also a paramedic and also from NC. I've been doing EMS full-time since 2009, first in 911 and now in CC transport. I've got one year left on my B.S. and PA prerequisites.

 

I think paramedic work has to be some of the best HCE for wanna-be PAs there is....it gives a person skills that will be useful as a PA and the long hours/low pay to motivate him/her to become one.

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I think paramedic work has to be some of the best HCE for wanna-be PAs there is....it gives a person skills that will be useful as a PA and the long hours/low pay to motivate him/her to become one.

yup, medics do very well in PA school and most easily transition to the new role. 

Emedpa

Former 911/Critical Care Medic

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What aspect of being a paramedic was most helpful for building success in PA school?

the ability to quickly determine sick vs not-sick and intervene with those who are sick

ability to multitask, be flexible, and set priorities

ability to act independently and make decisions with minimal information

knowledge of medical terminology, culture of medicine, knowledge of common medications, ekg's, medical disorders, common emergency procedures and protocols, etc

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Phlebotomist

Pharmacy Technician

Rehabilitation Aide

 

I've been primarily working in a 382-bed hospital over the course of the last 2 years and have learned an abundant amount of medical knowledge. Drawing blood on coding patients as a Phlebotomist, assisting patients regain their prior level of function as a Rehab Aide, filling prescriptions while learning and interacting with different medications daily as a Pharm Tech have all enlightened me on various aspects of medicine and have helped me mature within the healthcare system. I recommend anyone to explore every avenue to HCE and not just settle for one defined healthcare position. HCE is what you make of it and the most important factor is that you take it seriously, learn from it daily and look to solidify a sound foundation of medical knowledge so that you may apply it to PA school.

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NCSUEMT-

Thanks for the welcome! Transplant is very interesting with a lot of layers and continuous learning/research. I can be in the ICU, OR, or in the office on any given day, so my day is always different. The biggest "downside" is the very long and odd hours (I work 24 hour shifts) and lots of call.

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 Is it worth pursuing medic school until I hear back from PA schools? Seems costly since I am hoping I get in this year and if so I wont have time to actually use my medic school skills on the job.

 

All the same, I am worried those without the level of training and acumen of a paramedic will be at a disadvantage when PA school starts...any advice anyone?

 

This is only my outside-looking-in opinion, but it seems that much of the advantage you'd get from paramedic experience comes from time spent doing the job rather than just having the training/certification. I'm guessing that this is probably consistent across most other disciplines as well. You're going to learn EKGs, advanced airway skills, pharmacology, etc. in PA school so I don't see where you'd be at a great disadvantage without medic school. Maybe you'd do just as well or even better to spend time working extra shifts as an EMT or ED tech. Time spent talking with/assessing patients, dealing with families, interacting with other health professionals, and seeing what really sick looks like might end up being far more valuable to you in the future.  

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