Colorado EMT Programs

New graduates celebrate with their families at their nursing commencement ceremony.

How to Become an EMT-Paramedic in Colorado - EMT-Paramedic Programs in Colorado

Deciding to become an EMT-Paramedic is a very important step. You see, it is the EMT-Paramedic who is responsible for picking up and transporting patients to the hospital in emergency situations. Usually, it is the EMT-Paramedic who stabilizes the patient enough en route to the hospital so that the patient makes it through their emergency surgery well. Have you ever heard someone say, "That is not a job; that's a calling"? Well, that is how one should look at being an EMT-Paramedic. It is not a career for everyone because it is more like a calling. You have to be able to think quickly on your feet and handle intensely stressful situations as you are making sure that patient makes it to the hospital alive.

There are actually quite a few EMT-Paramedic programs in the state of Colorado. You can either go to a community college, technical college, or even some cities offer the training courses through their municipal government funds since EMT-Paramedics are an absolute necessity. Usually before you can enter an EMT-Paramedic training program, you have to be a high school graduate and have CPR certification. So you need to keep that in mind if being an EMT-Paramedic is your dream job.

Another thing you need to remember is that, once you complete your EMT-Paramedic training program, you can't just go out and get a job as an EMT-Paramedic. First you have to be licensed. Each state has their own rules for licensure, but most require certification first. This may seem like a hassle to the EMT-Paramedic to have to go through, but it is very important that they know absolutely everything they are supposed to and can demonstrate an ability to think quickly and work under extremely stressful situations. If you can't do both of those things, then you need to re-evaluate becoming an EMT-Paramedic.

The salary for an EMT-Paramedic in Colorado varies by location and who you work for. There are actually two main areas where an EMT-Paramedic can find jobs: with hospitals and with private ambulance services. As you can imagine, the salary differs between the two, with the private companies likely paying more since they do not have to split all of their salary funds between hundreds of doctors, nurses, and every other position at the hospital. The average salary of an EMT-Paramedic in Colorado ranges from $28,000 to $30,000. Some make more because they split their time between hospitals and private companies. It is really up to you.

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment