A paramedic is the highest level of pre-hospital emergency medical care provider. Paramedics have the most extensive education, training and provide all aspects of basic and advanced life support relevant to pre-hospital care.

Hours of training:

1,200+

Certification requirements:

Training must be equivalent to National Standard DOT Paramedic course with clinical, didactic and field experience. Documentation by service medical director that applicant is proficient in clinical skills.

Licensure examination:

National Registry exam. Licensure must be renewed biennially.

Continuing education:

48 hours based on DOT curriculum, additional 24 hours for National Registry renewal, and current ACLS and CPR. Local medical director must provide and certify continuing education for recertification.

Current Wisconsin law dictates that any ambulance provider that is authorized to provide paramedic level services must ensure that at least one licensed paramedic be on board the primary ambulance that will respond to emergency calls. Middleton EMS exceeds this standard and staffs two licensed paramedics on a rotational platoon schedule of 24-hour shifts.

Diagram of Educational Model

• Pre- &/or co-requisite
  • BLS-Healthcare Provider CPR
  • EMT-Basic
  • BLS Field experience
• Preparatory
  • Clinical/Field EMS systems/roles & responsibilities of the paramedic
  • The well-being of the paramedic
  • Illness- & injury-prevention
  • Medical/legal issues
  • Ethics
    Medical terminology
  • Human anatomy & physiology
  • Principles of pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Venous access & medication administration
  • Therapeutic communications
  • Life-span development
• Core curriculum