Paramedic Training in Pennsylvania
If you want to become a paramedic in Pennsylvania, the state requires you to pass the NREMT-P exam following successful completion a paramedic program. Once passed, you would then be able to become certified within the state of PA, allowing you to work in the state.
Paramedic Training in Pennsylvania
Below, please click on a school to get admissions information on their programs:
Center for Emergency Medicine of Western PA – Pittsburgh, PA
230 McKee Place, Suite 500
Pittsburgh , PA – 15213
Community College of Allegheny County, Boyce Campus – Pittsburgh, PA
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
808 Ridge Avenue
Jones Hall – Room 212
Pittsburgh, PA 15212-6097
Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital – Johnstown, PA
1086 Franklin Street
Johnstown , PA – 15905
Delaware County Community College – Media, PA
901 S. Media Line Road
Media , PA – 19063
EmergyCare-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
1926 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16502
GFC-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium – West Chester, PA
600 Montgomery Ave
West Chester, PA 19380
Harrisburg Area Community College – Harrisburg, PA
One HACC Drive
Select Medical Health Pavilion, 114-C
Harrisburg , PA – 17110
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
1190 Maple St
Indiana, PA 15705
Lancaster Consortium for Emergency Medicine Education
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
100 East Charlotte Street
Millersville, PA 17551
Lehigh Valley Health Network (Hospital) – Allentown, PA
2166 South 12th Street
Allentown , PA – 18103
Luzerne County Community College – Nanticoke, PA
1333 South Prospect Street
Nanticoke , PA – 18634
Montgomery County EMS Training Institute (Hospital) – Conshohoken, PA
1175 Conshohocken Road
Conshocken , PA – 19428
Mutual Aid-UPMC-CEM Paramedic Training Consortium – Greensburg, PA
561-563 West Otterman St
Greensburg, PA 15601
Penn State Fayette, Lemont Furnance, PA
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
Pennsylvania College of Technology – Williamsport, PA
One College Avenue
DIF105
Williamsport , PA – 17701
Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences – Reading, PA
1025 Old Wyomissing Road
Reading , PA – 19612
Thomas Jefferson Univ Hospital-JeffSTAT EMS Education Center Philadelphia, PA
833 Chestnut Street
Suite 940
Philadelphia , PA – 19107
University of Pittsburgh
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
230 McKee Place, Suite 500
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
What Are the Paramedic Training Requirements?
· He or she must be at least 18 years old.
· He or she must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
· He or she will need to be able to show proof of their Pennsylvania EMT license.
The NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) is a non-governmental agency that registers and maintains a database of certified EMTs. You can learn more at www.nremt.org.
· He or she will need to have a valid driver’s license.
· He or she may also be required to provide references and show proof of immunizations (such as Hepatitis B), and likely submit him or herself to a criminal background and/or drug screening. The Pennsylvania College of Technology, for example, actually requires child abuse clearance as well.
· Proof of your CPR certification and/or ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification.
Paramedic training courses can typically be found at community colleges.
Generally, an EMT-P 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 Pennsylvania you select is an accredited program.
Where can I find an accredited paramedic training program in Pennsylvania?
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?
While EMT experience is always encouraged by program directors, it’s usually not necessary. As long as you can provide proof of your EMT certification, you should be fine.
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 paramedic course taught at the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western PA, for example, gives students two options. They can complete the program in 38 weeks if they enroll full-time, or they can complete the program in 50 weeks by taking advantage of the part-time course.
How much will a paramedic training program cost?
The cost of a program ranges from school to school and program to program. Oftentimes, however, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 for a thorough paramedic education.
At the Center of Emergency Medicine of Western PA, tuition is based on residency. That means that in-region residents pay $5,900, in-state residents pay $7,700, and out-of-state residents pay $12,900.
Taking the Paramedic NREMT Exam
After you successfully complete the required paramedic training course, you will want 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
While the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not currently require anyone to maintain his or her NREMT Registration after they’ve received it, the NREMT exam is used as the exam for certification in the Commonwealth. So once you pass the National exam, you are then eligible to receive your state certification, allowing you to practice in PA.
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.
Please come back for additional paramedic training information.
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