Paramedics are the first-responder medical professionals who provide crucial care to patients before they reach the hospital. Being a paramedic requires a unique set of skills, including strength both physically and mentally, patience, and quick decision-making. It can be a rewarding profession that can allow you to give back to your community, but there are pros and cons of being a paramedic as with any profession. Let’s go over these to give you a clear understanding of this profession and see if it’s for you!
Explore paramedic training at Dorsey College!
What’s a paramedic?
A paramedic is a trained healthcare professional that provides emergency medical services to patients before they reach a hospital. They are often the first to arrive at the scene of an accident or emergency situation and are responsible for assessing, stabilizing, and transporting patients to the hospital for further treatment. These medical professionals are trained to provide a wide range of medical procedures from administering medication, providing first-aid interventions, and treating trauma victims.
The Pros of being a paramedic
1. Helping people
The primary reason people choose to become paramedics is that they want to help others. As a paramedic, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis. You will be the first person to respond to a call, and your prompt care can be the difference between life or death for a patient.
2. Job Satisfaction
Being a paramedic can be incredibly satisfying. Patients and their families will be grateful for your help, and this can bring a sense of fulfillment to your life. Additionally, the job can be varied and exciting, as no two days are the same. You’ll be solving different problems every day, and this can keep you focused and motivated in your work.
3. Good career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032.1
The Cons of being a paramedic
1. Emotional Stress
Being a paramedic can be emotionally taxing. As the first person on the scene of an emergency, you will face stressful situations. However you are giving back by being that helping hand to those in your community.
2. Physically Demanding Job
Paramedics perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting heavy equipment and patients. You will want to be physically fit enough to perform these tasks in order to help prevent injuries. While it is not necessarily a drawback it is worth taking into consideration if this is the career you want to pursue.
3. Long Shifts
Paramedics can work long shifts and are constantly moving. Your day will be unpredictable and no two days will be the same. For some this may be appealing as the career can be rewarding as well in many ways. This can lead to exhaustion and can be emotionally and physically tiring.
Is Being a Paramedic a Good Fit for You?
Before embarking on a career as a paramedic, it’s important to consider whether it would be a good fit for you. Apart from a desire to help others, you also need to possess certain personality traits that are well-suited to this profession. These may include empathy, good communication skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
As was mentioned before, paramedics work under high-pressure situations that require quick thinking and decision-making skills. Being able to cope with these high pressure situations is a must. Though challenging it’s important to remember it can be a rewarding career and the training program you enroll in can help you learn to deal with these situations.
Explore Paramedic Training at Dorsey College
If you decide to pursue a paramedic career the next step would be to enroll in a training program. Here at Dorsey College we offer a paramedic program, the courses cover topics such as patient assessment, vital sign measurement, advanced life support techniques, and more. Prepare for your new career at one of these campuses:
- Madison Heights, MI (Main Campus)
- Woodhaven, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
- Grand Rapids, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
Let Dorsey College help you achieve your dreams, learn more today!
Dorsey College has determined that its Paramedic program curriculum is sufficient to fulfill educational requirements for licensure in the State of Michigan only. No educational determinations have been made for any other state, district or US territory in regards to licensure requirements.
Dorsey College is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE). This applies to the Madison Heights campus (which serves as the main campus) and the Grand Rapids and Woodhaven campuses (which are branch campus locations of Madison Heights).
The Paramedic program offered at Dorsey College 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).
