medreno Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 I'm currently certified as an EMT but plan on getting my paramedic certfication so I can work as a paramedic while working on my bachelors degree in biology. I have a question for current PA's and was wondering if there are current PA's that also work part time as a paramedic or EMT? I want to become a PA but also still love the pre-hospital setting. I would hate to give up on working in the pre hospital setting but still want to pursue a PA career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medreno Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I'm currently certified as an EMT but plan on getting my paramedic certfication so I can work as a paramedic while working on my bachelors degree in biology. I have a question for current PA's and was wondering if there are current PA's that also work part time as a paramedic or EMT? I want to become a PA but also still love the pre-hospital setting. I would hate to give up on working in the pre hospital setting but still want to pursue a PA career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcdavis Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 Pm true anomaly and emedpa.. They might have some insights for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcdavis Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 Pm true anomaly and emedpa.. They might have some insights for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medreno Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medreno Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I still do as well, but just a couple of nights each month. It's how I got into medicine, I enjoy the teamwork, and it's nice to keep your emergency skills up. Sometimes as a PA you can be on your own and EMS builds confidence in your ability to handle things. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I still do as well, but just a couple of nights each month. It's how I got into medicine, I enjoy the teamwork, and it's nice to keep your emergency skills up. Sometimes as a PA you can be on your own and EMS builds confidence in your ability to handle things. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medic25 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I worked for a couple of years as a medic per-diem after graduating from PA school. Once I started getting involved with leadership in the EMS System I eventually gave it up. It gets complex when you provide medical oversight during your full-time job and then have to revert to following the protocols while working a medic shift. There was always a concern about overstepping your paramedic scope of practice and potentially exposing yourself and your EMS service to liability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medic25 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I worked for a couple of years as a medic per-diem after graduating from PA school. Once I started getting involved with leadership in the EMS System I eventually gave it up. It gets complex when you provide medical oversight during your full-time job and then have to revert to following the protocols while working a medic shift. There was always a concern about overstepping your paramedic scope of practice and potentially exposing yourself and your EMS service to liability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebecker Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I still work as a basic EMT and I'm technically qualified as an "Ambulance Based Clinician" but have not had the backup of our EMS director to do ALS until now. The scope and definition has changed in my state and now I can do whatever the medical director says I can (and we have a new, pro-PA, medical director). I, like many others, love pre-hospital emergency medicine and can't see myself giving it up anytime soon... Lord willing. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebecker Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I still work as a basic EMT and I'm technically qualified as an "Ambulance Based Clinician" but have not had the backup of our EMS director to do ALS until now. The scope and definition has changed in my state and now I can do whatever the medical director says I can (and we have a new, pro-PA, medical director). I, like many others, love pre-hospital emergency medicine and can't see myself giving it up anytime soon... Lord willing. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 21, 2013 Moderator Share Posted April 21, 2013 I no longer work field shifts as a medic. At my 2 rural per diem jobs I direct field medics and at one of them am involved in their training as well. I have friends from PA school who still work a few shifts/mo as medics for fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 21, 2013 Moderator Share Posted April 21, 2013 I no longer work field shifts as a medic. At my 2 rural per diem jobs I direct field medics and at one of them am involved in their training as well. I have friends from PA school who still work a few shifts/mo as medics for fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted April 21, 2013 Administrator Share Posted April 21, 2013 I work as a fire/EMS volunteer company officer, and teach EMT Basic classes. I can't do any interventions in the field, but I can sure do a much more thorough physical exam than your average EMT-B when needed, and, obviously, have the benefit of a wee bit more training. I've actually written "R/O Mallory-Weiss tears" on a run sheet.... but that was me showing off. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted April 21, 2013 Administrator Share Posted April 21, 2013 I work as a fire/EMS volunteer company officer, and teach EMT Basic classes. I can't do any interventions in the field, but I can sure do a much more thorough physical exam than your average EMT-B when needed, and, obviously, have the benefit of a wee bit more training. I've actually written "R/O Mallory-Weiss tears" on a run sheet.... but that was me showing off. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator True Anomaly Posted April 22, 2013 Moderator Share Posted April 22, 2013 I attempted to get involved in EMS as a PA not long after I was out of PA school, but for a myriad of reasons it didn't work out. Medic25 has the most advanced pre-hospital PA position there is out there, and ideally if the PA idea is to be translated to the pre-hospital environment his job is the one to emulate. As far as working purely as a paramedic, I have a co-worker who was a paramedic prior to PA school, and now that she's been out of school for a few years she still continues to work part-time as a paramedic. No issues between the two jobs from what I understand. She's a damn good PA too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator True Anomaly Posted April 22, 2013 Moderator Share Posted April 22, 2013 I attempted to get involved in EMS as a PA not long after I was out of PA school, but for a myriad of reasons it didn't work out. Medic25 has the most advanced pre-hospital PA position there is out there, and ideally if the PA idea is to be translated to the pre-hospital environment his job is the one to emulate. As far as working purely as a paramedic, I have a co-worker who was a paramedic prior to PA school, and now that she's been out of school for a few years she still continues to work part-time as a paramedic. No issues between the two jobs from what I understand. She's a damn good PA too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medreno Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 Thanks for the responses everyone. Its exciting to know that I could still work in the EMS field and pursue a career as a physician assistant!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medreno Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 Thanks for the responses everyone. Its exciting to know that I could still work in the EMS field and pursue a career as a physician assistant!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medreno Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 I work as a fire/EMS volunteer company officer, and teach EMT Basic classes. I can't do any interventions in the field, but I can sure do a much more thorough physical exam than your average EMT-B when needed, and, obviously, have the benefit of a wee bit more training. I've actually written "R/O Mallory-Weiss tears" on a run sheet.... but that was me showing off. :-) I would love to get into instructing EMT courses! Do you work for a college? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medreno Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 I work as a fire/EMS volunteer company officer, and teach EMT Basic classes. I can't do any interventions in the field, but I can sure do a much more thorough physical exam than your average EMT-B when needed, and, obviously, have the benefit of a wee bit more training. I've actually written "R/O Mallory-Weiss tears" on a run sheet.... but that was me showing off. :-) I would love to get into instructing EMT courses! Do you work for a college? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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