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Do you have to work with needles when you are a paramedic?

I don't really like needles so I just need to know.

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Josh’s Answer

Yes, paramedics are required to use various needles. Intramuscular injections(shots), intravenous cather insertion(IV), chest decompression, intraosseous access, etc. all use needles. The good thing is that it isn't the paramedic that is being stuck, so it doesn't hurt at all.
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Dalphne’s Answer

Paramedics work with needles and are sometimes required to administer medications intravenously and start IV's. During your schooling to become a Paramedic you will receive a lot of practice. If you are afraid of needles there are other careers in the medical field you can pursue.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the advice. Maris
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Cynthia’s Answer

Yes, you will be working with needles- lots of them. You won't necessarily need to be used for practice when learning IVs (though you will have to get your annual flu shot, etc), but you will need to competently and frequently perform the skill on others. You may find that though you hate receiving shots you're okay with giving them- one guy in my class was this way and actually hid under a table when it was time to start an IV on him. He's fine with starting them on others. You would also need to start off as an EMT, where it is very unlikely that you will give injections beyond an epi-pen. Otherwise, there are plenty of jobs in healthcare that don't require working with needles- RT, X-ray tech, etc. The primary healthcare people who give injections are paramedics, nursing, and of course phlebotomy, so those are the ones to steer clear from.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Maris
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