How to become a Paramedic

Become a Paramedic

The branch of Medical Science that deals with emergency medical treatment, diagnosis, and treatment of different diseases and health problems using cynical labs, diagnostic tools, X-rays, ultrasound, etc is called Paramedical Science. Due to the shortage of the Paramedical workforce in India, the demand for paramedics in the healthcare sector has increased. Consequently, a number of students are moving towards pursuing Paramedical courses in India. Medical aspirants have now started exploring the Paramedical field as there is immense scope in the respective field. Now the question arises, ‘How to become a paramedic in India’? The answer to this question can be understood in different steps involved in becoming a paramedic. If you are also confused and want to know about the paramedical field and how you can be a part of it then this article will help you find an answer. The contents of this article include courses to pursue to become a paramedic, eligibility criteria for a paramedic, best colleges and key skills required to excel in the paramedical field.

What Does a Paramedic Do?

Before we dig deeper into the process of becoming a Paramedic, it is important for you to understand what a Paramedic is and what does the person does. A paramedic is a specialist healthcare professional who is an advanced provider of emergency medical treatments and is highly trained in modern medical technology to diagnose and treat different diseases and health problems. The roles of a paramedic include: Giving medicines and injections to patients, Delivering babies Analysing a patient’s condition and deciding what action should be taken, Conducting surgical procedures like inserting a breathing tube, Using defibrillator or electric shock equipment to resuscitate patients, Applying support for broken bones or dressing wounds, Checking equipment and keeping accurate records Working closely with

How Do I Become a Paramedic?

Now that you have understood the roles of a paramedic, it is time to go through the steps to become one. Before you begin your journey in this career, there are a number of things that you need to be aware of. These things/ steps will take you towards your goal.

1. Choose a Paramedical Course/ Specialisation There are a number of paramedical courses that you can opt for to become a paramedic. From bachelor degrees to master to short-term certificate courses to diploma courses, this field offers them all.

Here are some of the top specialisations/ areas of study offered through paramedical courses:

Operation Theatre Technology, Audiometry Technician, Medical Laboratory Technology, Dental Hygienist, X-Ray Technology, Hearing Language, and Speech Therapy Ophthalmic Technology, Sanitary Inspector Radiography and Medical Imaging Nursing Occupational Therapy, Nursing Care, Assistance Medical Record Technology, ECG Technology, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Dialysis Technology, Anaesthesia Technology, Speech Therapy Audiology.

2. Eligibility Criteria for a Paramedic

Wondering what are the requirements to become a paramedic in India?

Well, now that you have finalized a paramedical specialisation for yourself, it is time for Step number 2. The second step towards becoming a paramedic is fulfilling the eligibility requirements for the intended course. You must know that the eligibility requirements are subject to an institute’s discretion. So, we have mentioned the common eligibility criteria for paramedical courses at different levels.

• Course Level Eligibility Criteria for UG: Candidates must have passed at least 10+2 level of examination in Science stream with Biology as a compulsory subject. It is important to score at least 50 per cent marks in class 12. Reserved category students may get some relaxation in the cut-off percentage.
• Course level eligibility for Diploma: Candidates must have passed at least 10+2 level of examination in Science stream with Biology as a compulsory subject. For some diploma or certificate courses, candidates who have passed 10th are also considered eligible. There is no minimum percentage requirement for diploma or certificate courses as such.
• Course Level Eligibility for PG: Candidates must be holding a valid bachelor’s degree in the relevant field. The degree must have been issued by a recognised university.

3. Get Admission in Paramedical Courses

The admission to paramedical courses to become a paramedic is done either directly or through entrance exams. Most of the colleges offer direct admissions on the basis of merit or percentage scored by candidates in 10+2. However, there are some colleges that only give admissions on the basis of entrance exams. Some colleges conduct their own entrance exams, some accept state-level exams whereas, some accept national-level exams only. Some of the entrance exams are AIIMS M.Sc. and Biotechnology Entrance Exam, IGNOU OPENMAT, NEET-UG, NEET-PG, CPNET, IPU CET, Tripura JEE, Goa CET (GCET), etc.

4. Apprenticeship

There are some paramedical courses that include one year or six months of mandatory internships. Some examples of such courses are Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), B.Sc Nursing, etc. But, for the courses that do not offer a mandatory internship, it is always advisable to opt for one. Internships give you experiences of the field and prepare you for future challenges. This also helps you gain some skills that a paramedic must-have.

5. Working as a Paramedic

After you have completed all the above steps, you are ready to embark upon the journey to the world of Paramedical Science. Now you can work in hospitals, colleges, nursing homes, research laboratories, railways, armed forces, NGOs, business organisations and even become an independent business owner. Depending upon the specialisation you took during your graduation or post-graduation, you will be able to work in different job profiles. Initially, the salary package of a paramedical can range from INR 2.2 LPA to INR 12 LPA but with experience, the package keeps increasing.