What routes can one go to earning a civilian Paramedic license in the military?

2020-08-17T20:37:07-04:00

This seems to be a common question among medics and more I have talked too. Also the transferring of only EMT current as most medical specialties earn in the civilian world is widely disputed as a under-cut of the education, and training they receive relevant to their MOS. I would like to hear from all branches the known routes to earning a paramedic cert through the military. I hope these posts will help educate health care personnel in the service find routes for this certification if they are interested.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Aug 17 at 2020 11:58 PM

2020-08-17T23:58:43-04:00

I have a buddy that's at Bragg who was able to get certifications through a local VFD. Through them he secured search and rescue, obtained diving license for SR diving. Honestly if you can't get through the military education system, don't remember the name, go out and volunteer.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 12:18 AM

2020-08-18T00:18:19-04:00

If you were active duty you would be required to go. But since you are in the National Guard they would have to put you on active duty to send you. Your state may have a partnership program that you can go to as a civilian. Your education center may be able to help. But I have never seen anyone in the Guard go to EMT training while only in a M-Day status.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 11:56 AM

2020-08-18T11:56:12-04:00

Look up Combat Paramedic on ATRRS. This is the phase 1 course for Flight Paramedics now, phase 2 is followed up by Critical Care Paramedic and phase 3 at Fort Rucker. I’ve heard that it’s going to be possible to just go to Combat Paramedic in the future but for now it is reserved for Flight Paramedic students.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 12:44 PM

2020-08-18T12:44:34-04:00

There are several posts that have created certification programs. CSM Michael Chavaree can tell you about the one at Bragg. Most of these are programs set up by ingenuitive NCOs working with local colleges or credentialing authorities. The Army itself doesn’t have a paramedic program outside the Flight Paramedic program.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 19 at 2020 2:06 PM

2020-08-19T14:06:02-04:00

As former Nationally Registered EMT-Paramedic on the civilian side, let me fill in some details. 1, there is no such animal as a Licensed Paramedic. Why, Paramedic's, depending on the state work under a Physicians License. Paramedics are Certified, and most likely will remain that way due to the extreme political influences of Fire Chief's who for most part oppose having Licensed Medics. The cost to them becomes huge, so opposing it is better for them. That's the politics of it.
Many, but not all states use the National Registry as their format for training requirements. This is not universal and check with the state you live in.

Education: another tricky subject. There are basically two roads: One I refer to as the "Shake and Bake medic," The other is the Degreed Medic. Shake and bake goes to one of those fly by night schools "that can make you a paramedic in 6 weeks." The degreed medic will spend the better part of 2+ years taking classes in general education, sciences, and Emergency Medical technology, on top of that they will do ride alongs with a preceptor in a front line rig, typically with over a 1000+ hours in the "bus." You will learn those tasks you did in the classroom on real people. Shake and bakes gets some ride time, but no where near as much.

You will test on your states exam, for South Carolina it was the National Registry. It has two major portions a written portion (did when I took it, may have gone to computerized), and the practical. Practical was 10-12 scenarios where you are evaluated on your skills sets. 2 of the stations are oral, meaning you are given a scenario statement, and you tell the evaluator what you would do, how you would do it. You may ask questions, but if you ask the wrong questions you may get an answer. If you are going medic, go the degree path. It will take longer, but you will have a degree, which good anywhere. Shake and bake may be good in another state, maybe not.

I have sat as an evaluator for would be paramedics who went through shake and bake, most do not do well, the failure rate is high, and the cost of tuition can be as high as going to a community college. Lastly remember, doesn't matter what military school you went to, if you don't meet the qualifications for that state, you are might be classified as an EMT.