So, you want a paramedic? If the answer is yes, then this article is for you. By interacting with this article you will learn all you have to know if you want to enter the Pre-Hospital Emergency care path.
Being a paramedic is exciting, you will feel a bunch of different emotion in the same day.
In Quebec, paramedics drive ambulances in emergency situations. They provide care to stabilize patients before they arrive at the hospital. They can perform clinical gestures such as intubation, the administration of drugs and psychosocial help.
At the start of their shift, they make sure that their vehicle is in good condition and that the medical equipment is functional. Then, they move to waiting points to wait for calls. Following each of their calls, they keep their ambulance in service until the end of their shift.
In Quebec, paramedics can work under three types of organization. The first, the Urgence-Santé corporation which covers the territory of Montreal/Laval and which belongs to the government. The second, the most popular, the private companies. Then, the third, the cooperatives where each paramedic owns shares of the company.
To become a paramedic, you have to complete a Pre-Hospital Emergency Care technique at a CÉGEP. You must also be registered in the register of paramedic ambulance technicians in Quebec and pass the national exam.
In 2020 the average starting salary was $26.28 per hour. The salary increases over the years according to 12 steps.
In Quebec, paramedics have the opportunity, after two years of working as a primary care paramedic, to complete a major in Advanced Emergency Pre-Hospital Care at the University of Montreal. This training allows paramedics to perform more medical procedures.
Sometimes during an intervention, the paramedics are called upon to intervene with violent people and these can injure them. Also, when responding to calls on public roads and highways, paramedics put their lives in danger by standing near vehicles traveling at very high speed and not respecting the safety corridor.
The work of paramedics is almost impossible for robots to do. Humans contact with patients in order to reassure them accounts for more than 50% of the intervention. In addition, there will always be sick people, so the profession of paramedic is here to stay.
Due to the heavy loads to be lifted every day, poor working conditions, overwork and lack of recognition from the government, unfortunately, more than half of paramedics in Quebec hang up their uniform after only 8 years of work in order to reorient themselves towards another career.
The profession of paramedic is one of the finest and most stimulating. Unfortunately, it is not yet well-recognized by the Government of Quebec and the population is suffering as a result. Despite everything, if this job is the one of your dreams, go for it since you will live your best moments there. So, do you still want to be a paramedic?
Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: research journal
Date: subject to change soon
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: tangential
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Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: research journal
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: cites sources