A Paramedic is a highly trained and skilled medical professional who is educated
to carry out some of the duties of a Physician. Paramedics can examine, evaluate,
and treat patients with equipment and medications usually only found in
the emergency department of a hospital. Paramedics are typically
utilized as emergency care practitioners on ambulances or on first
response emergency vehicles but their scope is expanding to many other
areas. Some of these include industry, elementary and high schools, colleges, hospitals
and emergency departments. More challenging and higher paid positions include
working in specialty areas such as cruise ship medical departments, off
shore oil drilling platforms, helicopter or fixed wing medical transport
and hyperbaric oxygen chambers. Often they are the sole or highest
trained medical provider in these areas.
The origin of the word paramedic may have come from the military where
highly trained medics parachuted in to emergency areas. Today the term
is used to signify personnel who function as subsidiaries or supplements
to Physicians. The prefix para is now taken to mean "closely resembling;
beside" and medic is taken to mean "the Physician". A Paramedic works
beside and/or resembles the Physician. Many of the procedures and
medications administered by the Paramedic are ordered and supervised by
a Physician. This may be through direct supervision or remotely using
telephone, radio or pre-established written orders.
Paramedics must be ambitious, honest, calm, intelligent, caring, non-prejudiced and
non-judgemental people who are strong both mentally and physically.
These are some of the desired attributes that EMT-P Program Selection
Committees look for in a potential student candidate.
Is a Paramedic a Physician Assistant or Nurse?
No. Paramedics are a unique medical entity. Paramedics receive education in many of the
same areas as a Nurse or PA such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology,
pathophysiology, pharmacology and so on. Unlike these health care professionals,
Paramedics concentrate on emergency issues and become intensivists in OUT OF HOSPITAL
EMERGENCY MEDICINE. Paramedics at times will be called upon to fill any role in a crisis.
In essence a Paramedic is part physician, nurse, social worker, clergy, police officer,
firefighter, mediator, counselor and teacher just to name a few.
Is a Paramedic an independent provider? No. Much like
the PA, a Paramedic is considered a "Delegated Practitioner". The Paramedic receives the
authority to practice through a physicians license. Each practicing Paramedic has a Physician
director who is responsible to direct and review the activities of a Paramedic.
I'm a Nurse or Physician, can I work on an ambulance as a
Paramedic? No. Physicians and Nurses while highly trained need to complete an EMT and
Paramedic training program to work on ambulances in NYS. Many EMT and Paramedic programs allow
these health care professionals to challange out of the content and skills that they already
know by indepth testing. MCC does have a challenge process for EMT-CCs, RNs, PAs, DOs, and MDs.
URL: http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/pstc/paramed1.htm
Updated: December 12, 1998
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