A medical flight paramedic is a part of the support team that acquires immense importance every time there is a medical emergency. They work in conjunction with physicians and nurses. Medical flight paramedics almost invariably fly to the scene of medical team in the air ambulance. It is a frenzy of activities once they reach the spot, where they are expected to diagnose the patient, evaluate the situation and deliver the best life-saving care possible so that the patient can be transported safely to the appropriate treating facility. The job demands keeping a cool head under pressure.
The Career Prospects of a Medical Flight Paramedic
It is believed that in 2011, there were about 2,000 flight paramedics in the United States. However, the numbers have steadily grown since then. The growth is expected to be at a rate of about 23% until 2022. According to statistics that date back to 2012, the median salary of a flight paramedic was slightly over $31,000 but it is safe to assume that the amount has gone up drastically owing to increased demand. Industry experts believe that the demand will go up further as rural American hospitals are closing down rapidly, in turn fuelling the need for air ambulances.
Requirements to become a Flight Paramedic
The candidate must be at least 18 years of age and be certified as an EMT or emergency medical technician. The course must be approved by NREMT. The person should have worked as a paramedic for at least three years already and have CPR as well as paddle training. Other factors such as physical fitness are also important.
Here is a list of certifications needed:
- Prehospital trauma life support
- Advanced pediatric life support
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Basic life support
- NREMT, ATLS-Audit, TNACT, and CCEMTP
Once these certifications are acquired, the candidate must pass FP-C exam to ultimately start career as a medical flight paramedic.
