This article is very useful for people who are interested about this career or just for curious people who just want to know more about the job. I'm very motivated to write about it because this is the career I dream about.
Be a paramedic demands a particular kind of mind. It's a job which is very demanding for the physic and the mental. Paramedics work in stressful environment with a lot of challenges.
A paramedic is the one who takes care to the patients in any kind of situation. It offers cares and assistance to prevent or save lives. A paramedic also brings the patient to the hospital.
A paramedic starts his day at the barrack. He has to do a check up of the ambulance to be sure that everything is in the right place and nothing's missing. After that, the paramedic starts his day by driving across the city and patiently waiting for a call. Paramedics always work in a team of two. They go pick up the patients, give them cares and bring them to the hospital.
Paramedics work everywhere. There are no typical places where people need rescue and help. People can be in danger at any place. Paramedics go into people's house, in public places, in the nature and so many other places.
The program to become a paramedic is named Pre-hospital Emergency Care. It is a 3-year College program.
At the beginning, in Quebec, a paramedic is paid around $23 per hour. There are twelve grades of salary in a company and all of them have the same grades. I know, that it's underpaid for the hard work that a paramedic does.
There is a possibility to go to university after the college to become advanced paramedic. But, we have to be on the road for 2 years before apply in medicine faculty at university. This program is about 2 years as well. There is also many work possibilities in the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care. Paramedics can involved in the tactical medical response group. They can also work for the Operational Support Unit who helps and assists paramedics in complicated evacuation interventions ex: plane, metro, unstable stairs, etc. There are some other paramedical types of rescue like plane rescue who goes rescue people on special environment ex: mountains, forest, high points, etc.
Paramedics can be involved in dangerous situations. Some patient can be very aggressive and sometime, police's services will be required to protect them. Moreover, paramedics are put in intense medical situations. These situations can cause a lot of stress and increase trauma. After that, paramedics can suffer with depression, PTSD, anxiety and so many other mental illness. At last, The job requires a lot of movements and heavy charges to support that can cause physical injury.
I don't think paramedics will be replaced by robots at any moment. This job requires human communication and empathy. Nothing can replace human contact and human intelligence.
Paramedic retire between 50-60, but they can do other things in the company or even become teacher and retire later.
Be a paramedic is a great, satisfying and rewarding career. It is not an easy path, but that is a very valued and worthy engagement.