NCSUEMT Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cop to pa Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 8 years Navy Corpsman, 3 years ED tech at level one trauma center. Left healthcare out of frustration over scope of practice and became a cop. Going back to school full time to be a PA and shoot for the scope of practice I'd like to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC30 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCSUEMT Posted June 27, 2015 Author Share Posted June 27, 2015 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbum Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCHW9076 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 It's so nice to see so many medics responding here. I'm a medic as well, 7 years on the road. I just started PA school last week. Good luck to you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakingpatience Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Another paramedic here, been in EMS for ~7 years, just turned in my letter of resignation and start PA school next month! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnedintoamartian Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Im hopping on the bandwagon: Medic for 6 years and PA school starts this fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanime Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 I'm going to change it up a bit... I'm an RN, working in transplant & worked as a tech in the OR prior to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCSUEMT Posted June 28, 2015 Author Share Posted June 28, 2015 Welcome lanime, So whats your day to day like in transplant? It's a facet of medicine that has always interested me but I know very little about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted June 28, 2015 Moderator Share Posted June 28, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted June 28, 2015 Moderator Share Posted June 28, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatorChomp Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skraemer Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 CT technologist that worked trauma 1 center ER, biopsy, inpatient, and outpatient! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanime Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbum Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iseewholewheat Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I've been an athletic trainer for 6 years, and for the last year I have been moonlighting as a pharmacy tech on the side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyNameWasUsed Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 400 hours volunteering at hospital and clinic. 800 hours imaging tech Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KTB004 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Paramedic 911 response >20k hours worked roughly estimated as 5k hours of direct patient care. Volunteer as EMT for fire department 500 hours. Independent service provider for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities 1200 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakingpatience Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 KTB004, did you put down the 20K or 5k on your application? I put down all the hours I worked as an EMT/ medic; none of the schools I applied to asked that I estimate the actual hours spent with a patient vs at work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cg02186 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I was a certified Athletic Trainer and also worked in physical therapy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cbrutts Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I am a CT technologist who also works at a trauma center with 9 years experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAGuy55 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 ER tech. PCT in cardiac, speciality surgery and neuro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Medical Assistant -- on going Radiology Aide 8 mos. Nursing Assistant on a Med/Surg Floor 4 mos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tavenne323 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 ATC the last 7 years Tiffany Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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