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Paramedic Career Interview
Art Hsieh has been a paramedic for 25 years and was an EMT for three years before that. He currently is the CEO and education director at the San Francisco Paramedic Association.
Paramedic Career Path
Art’s initial influence to become a paramedic, believe it or not, was a television program in the ’70s called “Emergency.”
“That show was the bomb,” Art laughs. “It was a weekly series that ran for about 5 years about paramedics.”
According to Art, the show was actually a stepping stone toward the future of emergency response units.
“The show featured paramedics on the streets before paramedics were on the street in real life,” he explains. “After that, they started deploying more paramedics because they realized that they could save lives in the field.”
Paramedic Experiences
In college, Art studied pre-med at Cornell University for three years and then graduated from Stony Brook University after his fourth year. He joined a first aid squad on campus and enjoyed it so much that he worked toward becoming a paramedic after he graduated. He attended paramedic school at Northeastern University, and he received his Master’s degree in education from San Francisco State University.
He has been a paramedic for 25 years, and he was an EMT for three years before that.
“I’m one of the few people in my field who has only been a paramedic and hasn’t been in any other field,” he says. “A lot of people join the profession from other fields, such as biomedicine, due to cutbacks in their fields due to the recession. Our field is always growing.”
EMT and Paramedic Degree Programs
The amount of training depends on whether you want to become an EMT or a paramedic. The main difference between the two is that a paramedic has a lot more training and performs more advanced skills.
To become an EMT, you typically need 120 hours of training. To go on to become a paramedic, you must be an EMT first.
Paramedics, on the other hand, need to have 1,200 hours of training in addition to passing a national certification test, and this is reflected in the additional responsibilities that they carry.
“Paramedics learn a lot more about the human body, and they can deliver many kinds of medication and perform complex procedures,” Art explains.
Some areas that cannot afford the additional cost of paramedics employ advanced EMTs, which have more education than a typical EMT but less than a paramedic.
Paramedic Job Description
Art is the chief executive officer and director of education for the San Francisco Paramedic Association, where he trains over 300 EMTs and provides certification for various health procedures, such as certifying someone in first aid for the general public.
A typical paramedic responds to emergency calls in ambulances or other emergency response vehicles, and he or she performs procedures and administers drugs on patients to save their lives. Paramedics must use their judgment and training to help those in need.
Paramedic Daily Routine
A normal day for an EMT/paramedic greatly differs depending on where you are in the country.
“Unlike other healthcare-related fields, where someone can move around and have their practicing license valid, paramedics must face a lot more federal regulatory oversight,” Art explains. “This is because each state deploys its EMTs and paramedics differently.”
A typical paramedic would work 8-12 hour shifts and can work in a variety of settings, such as working with the fire department or in a volunteer-type setting. The pay varies wildly depending on where an EMT/paramedic works, and so does the number of emergency responses.
“Depending on where you are, you might get one call per hour or one call per day,” says Art. “It all depends on how dense the population is. You typically run from one patient to the next if you live in a busy city, but with less emergency calls, a paramedic might do more community outreach programs.”
EMT and Paramedic: Steps to Success
“Most people who are successful have a sense of public service, such as being able to understand that the needs of the public come first,” Art explains. “That’s why you’re working. What a lot of people call being a hero is what we call part of the job.”
“You also need to create order out of chaos,” Art continues. “You have to be able to size up an event and plan what needs to happen first and what happens after that.”
EMT and Paramedic Job Opportunities
Different regions of the country have different needs for EMTs/paramedics.
“The more rural states are having a problem finding enough people,” Art explains.
He suggests doing the research into which area needs the most paramedics, and pursue that area.
Paramedic Favorite Aspect
“Absolutely it is taking care of people,” says Art. “The ability to do a couple of things that can literally save a life, however rare that instance may be, is an incredible rush. Just being able to provide comfort and care for people is also great, and it still continues to be.”
Paramedic’s Future Ambitions
Art loves what he’s doing now, and he hopes it doesn’t change.
“I get to help hundreds of patients on a daily basis by improving the quality of care provided by EMTs and paramedics, and I can help to revolutionize the industry,” Art explains.
Advice for Prospective EMTs/Paramedics
If one wants to work as a paramedic, it is a challenging path that requires hard word and dedication.
“Recognize that it takes a long time,” Art advises. “From the day you start to the day you get a job can take 7-10 years. It can be highly competitive.”
Art recommends EMTs and paramedics looking for work wherever they can. EMTs and paramedics have even started being hired to work inside the hospital alongside the hospital staff.
“Be flexible,” Art says. “If you are able to move or transition for the career, that will more than likely get you a job. In many parts of the country, there are shortages, so if you can move, do it.”
“This may seem at a certain level to be a limited position, but people can use their experience to get any kind of job they want,” Art adds. “The leadership and management that you learn here can help you in any field.”
