Paramedic Training in Kansas
Like in Hawaii, paramedics in Kansas are often referred to as a MICT paramedic. MICT stands for Mobile Intensive Care Technician. But unlike most of the states in America, Kansas MICTs are required to hold an Associate’s Degree in order to be certified to practice in the state.
Here’s how you can become a MICT paramedic in the state of KS.
Paramedic Training in Kansas
Below, please click on a school to get admissions information on their healthcare programs:
Barton County Community College – Great Bend, KS
245 NE 30th Road
Great Bend, KS – 67530
Coffeyville Community College – Coffeyville, KS
400 West 11th Street
Coffeyville, KS – 67337
Cowley County Community College – Winfield, KS
1406 E 8th Street
Winfield, KS – 67156
Garden City Community College – Garden City, KS
801 Campus Drive
Garden City, KS – 67846
Hutchinson Community College – Newton, KS
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
203 E Broadway
Newton, KS 67114
Johnson County Community College – Overland Park, KS
Department of Emergency Medical Science
12345 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS – 66210
Kansas City Kansas Community College – Kansas City, KS
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS – 66112
Paramedic School Requirements in KS
· You will need to hold a current EMT certificate. Most states recognize national certification, and will grant you a state license (likely with more paperwork to fill out) without any further testing. This is not true for every state (some states have their own EMT or paramedic tests for licensure), so make sure you ask the school or paramedic training program you’re interested in about this important detail.
For more on becoming nationally certified with the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians), which is a non-governmental agency that registers and maintains a database of certified EMTs, visit NREMT.org.
· Actual EMT experience, however, is not typically required, though that can vary depending on the paramedic program you attend. And while EMT experience may not be required, it is often highly recommended by program directors, as students with experience have a tendency to excel faster than those who do not.
· You will need to have CPR certification. Depending on the program, an ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification is required, as well.
· Some programs may also require prospective students to pass a Paramedic Entrance Exam. And at some paramedic programs, like the one held at Coffeyville Community College, you may be required to complete the COMPASS placement test, as well. This is a computer adaptive test, and it helps educators better evaluate students’ skill levels in Reading, Writing Skills, Writing Essay, Math, and English as a Second Language.
· Any paramedic program you apply to will also require proof of immunizations (TB skin test, Hepatitis B vaccination, MMR vaccination and Chicken Pox titer or vaccination). This is required because due to clinical rotations that will be a part of your paramedic training.
-You’ll likely need to go through a criminal background check and drug screening, too. Written references may or may not be required, so check with the college or paramedic program you’re interested in to learn what is explicitly required.
PARAMEDIC TRAINING PROGRAM DETAILS
Paramedic training courses can typically be found at community colleges. A MICT-Paramedic course often provides students with a mixture of classroom and in-hospital clinical experience, as well as some field experience.
You will want to make sure that whichever paramedic training program in Kansas you select is an accredited program.
Where can I find an accredited paramedic training program in Kansas?
In general, make sure you visit the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) to find an accredited paramedic training program. This is important, because as of January 1, 2013, all students will need to complete paramedic education at an accredited school in order to take the paramedic NREMT exam.
Do I need EMT experience to apply to a paramedic training program?
Typically, experience is not required (though it is recommended) because proper experience can takes years to acquire.
How long will it take me to become a paramedic?
This really depends on the college and training program you select. Typically, a paramedic program can take anywhere from 6 months to two years to complete.
The MICT program at Cowley College, for example, offers students with two options. You can enroll into the 12-month program schedule or the 18-month program, the latter of which adds approximately one semester to the timeframe of completion.
The MICT-Paramedic program at Johnson County Community College even offers flexibility to its students, allowing you to enroll into what they call a “Shift On” Hybrid program. This allows students to actually complete most of the classroom work online rather than on campus.
How much will a paramedic training program cost?
All paramedic courses are a bit different and vary college to college. But, typically, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 for a quality and thorough paramedic training course. Some programs can most certainly exceed that cost, however.
TAKING THE PARAMEDIC NREMT EXAM
After you successfully complete the required paramedic training course, you will need to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. This is both a computer adaptive test (cognitive examination) as well as a skills test (psychomotor examination).
Cognitive Examination
The cognitive examination will cover the entire spectrum of EMS care. This includes Airway, Ventilation, Oxygenation, Trauma, Cardiology, Medical, and EMS Operations. The maximum amount of time you will be given to pass this portion of the exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Psychomotor Examination
The psychomotor examination consists of 12 separate skills laid out in a scenario-type format to approximate the abilities of the EMT-Paramedic to function in the out-of-hospital setting. Those taking the test are actually allowed to bring their own equipment to the exam provided it is approved for testing by the National Registry Representative in attendance at the examination.
The psychomotor exam portion of the paramedic NREMT exam will test your knowledge and competency in each of the following skills: Patient Assessment-Trauma, Ventilatory Management, Cardiac Management Skills, IV and Medication Skills, Oral Station, Pediatric Skills, and Random Basic Skills.
PRACTICING AS A PARAMEDIC
Once you have graduated from a MICT-Paramedic program and have successfully passed the NREMT-P examinations, you will then apply to the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services for state certification.
How much money does a paramedic make annually?
An average paramedic salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011, is about $34,030 per year.
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