The ultimate guide to become a flight paramedic: A delay in emergency medical response can be life-threatening. Every second counts in these circumstances and even the slightest delay can be the difference between life and death.
Ambulances are usually the first responders to an emergency and play a critical role in saving lives. But how do paramedics save lives when an emergency is too far away to drive? They fly!
If you’re looking for the promise of a thrilling challenge and the opportunity to help people in critical situations from high up in the air, becoming a flight paramedic may be the perfect career for you. The Paramedic Academy of BizTech College offers a diploma in primary care paramedic, opening the path for you to become a Canadian air paramedic.
What is a Flight Paramedic?
Flight paramedics (also called Flight Medics, Air Medics, or Life Flight Paramedics) are critical members of the air ambulance team. They work in remote locations, often in extreme weather conditions, and play a vital role in providing emergency medical services to patients.
Air medics are responsible for assessing patients and providing medical assistance until the arrival of an ambulance or helicopter. They may also be involved in defibrillation, administering oxygen, and providing other emergencies medical care.
Flight Paramedic: Essential Skills and Responsibilities for Emergency Air Transport
Flight paramedics typically have a wide range of responsibilities and roles, including responding to emergencies onboard aircraft, providing care to patients during flights, and coordinating care between different medical professionals.
Flight medics are often the first people on board an aircraft to provide medical assistance to passengers and crew. They may also be responsible for providing air traffic control with information about the flight. Other common responsibilities for flight paramedics include:
- Flight to and from emergency medical situations
- Treating wounds and injuries in the field
- Administering medication, injections, and IVs
- Patient assessment and stabilization
- Maintaining medical supply inventory
- Inspecting first aid equipment
- Assessing whether employees can return to work
- Transporting patients for additional medical care
- Communication with remote medical control and doctors while treating patients
- Performing advanced medical procedures such as intubation, ventilator management, line placement, and general anaesthetics and paralytics
What are the Requirements to Become a Flight Paramedic?
Requirements for flight paramedics vary from company to company, but for most hiring organizations, the requirements to become a flight paramedic include a college degree in pre-med or health science, certification in first aid and CPR, and at least 2 years of experience working as a paramedic.
Other common requirements may include:
- Be Licensed as a paramedic by a state EMS board
- 3-5 years as the lead paramedic in a high call volume EMS ground service
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
Additional requirements may also include:
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- Certifications such as the FP-C or CCP-C (typically required within 2 years of initial hire)
- Critical care classes such as the CCEMTP
EMTs or paramedics interested in a career as flight paramedics will first need to go through paramedic training and certification. This includes 1,200+ hours of training in addition to prior training, which can take one to two years to complete.
How Much Does A Flight Paramedic Make?
The national average salary for a Flight Paramedic is $85,492 per year. This is higher than the national average salary for many other professions. The high pay is due in part to the long hours and challenging work schedule that Flight Paramedics face.
How to Begin Your Career as a Flight Paramedic?
Earning your certification is a great way to start this journey and get closer to your goal. By becoming certified, you can start saving lives right away.
Paramedic Academy of BizTech college offers a Diploma in Primary Care Paramedic that also allows you to work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals and air ambulance services. Apart from a shorter duration, we have an exceptional record in AEMCA, our graduates are currently working in various ambulance services in the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario.
