Respond Right EMS Academy FAQ’s

Both EMT’s and Paramedics are trained healthcare professionals who respond to medical and traumatic emergencies in a pre-hospital setting. Both professionals are highly skilled and have extremely important roles.

The two main differences between an EMT and a Paramedic are:

Respond Right EMS Academy’s EMT training involves 152 hours of classroom and lab education. Additionally, EMTs are required to complete a minimum of 48 clinical and field hours, requiring assessment of live-patients. EMT’s are trained to provide basic-level life support on people who are hurt or injured. EMTs are trained to perform: CPR/AED, artificial ventilation, oxygen administration, basic airway management, spinal immobilization, vital signs, bandaging/splinting and wound care. EMTs are also trained in a variety of rescue operations, including vehicle rescue, FEMA’s Incident Command System training, and HazMat awareness.

Respond Right EMS Academy’s Paramedic program involves approximately 566 hours of classroom and lab education. Additionally, Paramedic students are required to complete a minimum of 286 in-hospital clinical hours and 360 field internship clinical hours on the ambulance. In-hospital clinical rotations include: ER, OR, ICU, OB, pediatrics, psychiatric, and burn departments.

In addition to providing basic EMT care, Paramedics receive advanced training. Paramedics are responsible for administering 30 to 40 different medications. They are trained to administer these medications via several different routes, including oral, intra muscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) medications. Paramedics learn Advanced Cardiac and Pediatric Life Support as well as Advanced Prehospital Trauma Life Support procedures. These procedures are vital in the resuscitation of patients suffering from cardiac and respiratory problems, as well as, extensive traumatic injuries. Paramedics are trained to interpret EKG’s, which are essential in helping to determine the nature of a patient’s underlying cardiac problems. Only paramedics can use complex equipment used to provide advanced airway management.

The similarities that EMTs and Paramedics share: skill requirements, physical demands and job outlook, as described below.

Besides meeting the above requirements, candidates are supposed to possess the following qualities:

Aptitudes required for work of this nature are good physical stamina, endurance, and body condition that would not be adversely affected by frequently having to walk, stand, lift, carry, and balance at times, more than 125 pounds. Motor coordination is necessary because over uneven terrain, the patient’s, the Paramedic’s, and other workers’ well-being must not be jeopardized. Different situations will require that the Paramedic be able to perform in the following manner: stand, walk, sit, lift, carry, push, pull, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, feel, talk, hear and see.

Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, and acts of violence, will continue to create demand for EMTs and paramedics. Demand for part-time, volunteer EMTs and paramedics in rural areas and smaller metropolitan areas will also continue.

Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increase in age-related health emergencies, such as heart attacks and strokes. This increase, in turn, will create greater demand for EMT and paramedic services. An increase in the number of specialized medical facilities will require more EMTs and paramedics to transfer patients with specific conditions to these facilities for treatment.

*Cited from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, EMTs and Paramedics, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm

YES. In the State of Missouri, you must possess a valid Missouri EMT license before applying to the Paramedic Program.

YES. Respond Right EMS Academy, in partnership with St. Charles Community College, offer the “core” class requirements for the Associates of Applied Science, Emergency Medical Science degree. By attending Respond Right EMS Academy, you will receive a total of 30 college credit hours. The breakdown is as follows:

YES. Respond Right EMS Academy’s Paramedic Program is CAAHEP / CoAEMSP Accredited.

The Respond Right EMS Academy / St. Charles Community College Consortium is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

For more information about these accrediting agencies:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

1361 Park Street

Clearwater, FL 33756

727-210-2350

CoAEMSP

8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312

Rowlett, TX 75088

214-703-8445

FAX 214-703-8992

Additionally, Respond Right EMS Academy is accredited through Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Emergency Medical Services

PO Box 570

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Phone: 573-751-6356

Fax: 573-751-6348

Accreditation #18307P

DEPENDS. Respond Right EMS Academy does not give or receive Federal Financial Aid. However, there are several financial resources available to our students. They include:

YES. Many students work full or part time jobs while attending School. Respond Right offers both day and evening classes to accommodate your schedule. It is important to understand the time commitment involved with this program and to plan accordingly for your success.