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Palo Alto, California
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Are there internships available for aspiring EMTs/paramedics?
This is part of our professionals series where we ask professionals what they think students should know
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4 answers
Don Murray
Real Estate Specialist
8
Answers
Sammamish, Washington
Updated
Don’s Answer
Yes!
Depending on the area you live in, you can volunteer as a C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) member and will receive training and make connections to be able to learn and benefit your career and community you live in.
You can also reach out to your local Fire Department and find out about their internship (Volunteer) programs. You can do so online or by visiting a local Fire Station directly.
Best,
Don
Depending on the area you live in, you can volunteer as a C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) member and will receive training and make connections to be able to learn and benefit your career and community you live in.
You can also reach out to your local Fire Department and find out about their internship (Volunteer) programs. You can do so online or by visiting a local Fire Station directly.
Best,
Don
John Levesque
Clinical Quality Nurse
83
Answers
Waterville, Maine
Updated
John’s Answer
It depends on your particular area. In many places EMS services utilize full time / paid EMT's at all levels. But in many, many areas of the US, EMS systems rely on volunteer services that either are true volunteer, or a hybrid with some staff paid and others paid only when they respond to calls. The point here is simply to let you know that checking with the services in your area is a great place to start. An internship might be available at a full time paid service, but an opportunity to become a part of a volunteer service is also possible.
When I started in EMS, I had completed a Wilderness EMT course but wanted to obtain a license and work on a service. In my state, which is quite rural, there were some full time paid services, but many more volunteer services and that was where I decided to start. I did move onto a larger service and was able to make a living working as a paramedic for many years, but those years working with that first volunteer service brought me so much personal and professional development and left me with friendships I still cherish and maintain 30 years later.
Make some calls. Ask around. You may know someone who has a connection to an opportunity. Good luck.
When I started in EMS, I had completed a Wilderness EMT course but wanted to obtain a license and work on a service. In my state, which is quite rural, there were some full time paid services, but many more volunteer services and that was where I decided to start. I did move onto a larger service and was able to make a living working as a paramedic for many years, but those years working with that first volunteer service brought me so much personal and professional development and left me with friendships I still cherish and maintain 30 years later.
Make some calls. Ask around. You may know someone who has a connection to an opportunity. Good luck.
Jonathan "Yoni" Carmona
Paramedic Supervisor
1
Answer
Moorpark, California
Updated
Jonathan "Yoni"’s Answer
Like what the others have said, it really depends on where you live. In California, it is really difficult to find an organization that will let you intern as an EMT without being in an EMT program. There are classes to peak your interest, but honestly I would recommend just taking the EMT course. While in EMT school, they will have you ride out with the 911 ambulance to get "contacts." But, not only that, they will have you also go shadow and help out in the ER which can give you a great idea if healthcare is right for you and if you'd prefer to be on the ambulance or in the hospital. The EMT courses are one semester long and often, you can find an accelerated course which can have you finish within 4-6 weeks.
As a Paramedic though, the internship is part of the process. You need to be an EMT for at least 6 months and have some basic classes (math, english, anatomy/physiology and biology) dependent on which Paramedic class you enroll into. Once in Paramedic school, the first semester will be learning all of the policies and pathophysiology of drugs, ailments, traumas, assessments etc. Once you pass the didactics portion (the class portion) or the school (1 semester), then you go to the hospitals to get comfortable starting IVs and doing assessments and giving some treatments but then the real fun begins where you do your internship out in the field for 480 hours to 720 hours of working as a Medic to see if you are able to perform.
I know this was probably more than what you were asking, but hopefully it helps!
As a Paramedic though, the internship is part of the process. You need to be an EMT for at least 6 months and have some basic classes (math, english, anatomy/physiology and biology) dependent on which Paramedic class you enroll into. Once in Paramedic school, the first semester will be learning all of the policies and pathophysiology of drugs, ailments, traumas, assessments etc. Once you pass the didactics portion (the class portion) or the school (1 semester), then you go to the hospitals to get comfortable starting IVs and doing assessments and giving some treatments but then the real fun begins where you do your internship out in the field for 480 hours to 720 hours of working as a Medic to see if you are able to perform.
I know this was probably more than what you were asking, but hopefully it helps!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Moshe Krupnick
Jason Smith
Paramedic
2
Answers
Algona, Iowa
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Yes, in fact a clinical internship is a required part of EMT training.