To practice as a paramedic in Minnesota, you will need state certification.
Here’s a step by step process breaking down the requirements for paramedic programs in MN, as well as information about the NREMT exams and how you can become state certified.
Paramedic Training in Minnesota
Below, please click on a school to get admissions information on their healthcare programs:
· Century College – White Bear Lake, MN
3300 Century Avenue North
White Bear Lake , MN – 55110
· Hennepin County Medical Center – Minneapolis, MN
701 Park Ave., MC 825
Minneapolis , MN – 55415
Inver Hills Community College – Inver Grove Heights, MN
2500 East 80th Street
Inver Grove , MN – 55076
· Mesabi Range College – Eveleth, MN
1100 Industrial Park Drive
Eveleth , MN – 55734
· Northland Community and Technical College – East Grand Forks, MN
2022 Central Avenue NE
East Grand Forks , MN – 56721
· Ridgewater College – Willmar, MN
701 Park Ave., MC825
Minneapolis , MN – 55415
South Central College – North Mankato, MN
1920 Lee Boulevard
North Mankato , MN – 56003
Saint Cloud Technical & Community College – St Cloud, MN
1540 Northway Drive
St. Cloud , MN – 56303
Paramedic School Requirements in MN
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you apply to a paramedic program:
· Any prospective paramedic student will need to be 18 years old. One must have a high school diploma or GED and hold a current EMT certificate.
· In Minnesota specifically, paramedic must be certified. So once you pass the NREMT, you will be walked through the process of how you can acquire state certification.
· You will also need to have proper CPR certification, and in many cases, a completed anatomy and physiology course is typically required, too. Depending on the program, an ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification is required, as well.
· Each paramedic program requires different things from their prospective students. Immunizations are certainly required (since you’ll be getting hospital experience throughout the course). You’ll likely need to go through a criminal background check and references may be required by the school, as well.
·You will want to make sure that whichever paramedic training program in Minnesota you select is an accredited program.
Where can I find an accredited paramedic training program in Minnesota?
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?
This varies from school to school, so check be sure to check around for a program that fits you best. Typically, you don’t need EMT experience, but it’s often encouraged and program directors.
Century College in West Bear Lake, MN, for example, doesn’t require any previous EMT experience so long as you meet the prerequisites for their program.
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.
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
In Minnesota, state certification is granted (via an application process) once you get National Registry status.
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.
Get more information about paramedic training online via our interactive table on our homepage.
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