Work as a Traveling Paramedic, Pros and Cons

The medical industry is one of the most important in the world as it aids in ensuring that people are in a satisfying physical and mental state. However, paramedics are professionals in this industry who are constantly on duty and on the lookout for incidents that may require their expertise to solve.

Traveling paramedics provide the first treatment to patients in transit and keep them stable until patients can get further help. If you’re interested in becoming a paramedic, you need to get a degree in medicine or other health-related fields to become a PCT, CNA, advance care paramedic, etc. However, the good thing about this profession is that you don’t need to struggle for employment after completing your academics. There are jobs from reputable platforms that you can explore. For example, you can start your traveling paramedic career on Jooble and make a name for yourself in the profession.

To enlighten you more, we have collaborated with experts from the job aggregator Jooble to discuss the benefits and potential downsides of working as a travel paramedic. Let’s delve right into the details.

Benefits of Being a Traveling Paramedic

Below are some of the benefits you will get by pursuing a paramedic career, whether you want to work part-time or full-time:

It Provides a Stable Career

The job of a paramedic is a stable one. It has a guaranteed market, and you are assured of employment. A travel paramedic, as well as a traditional one, can always get jobs in different places. A travel paramedic gets jobs mainly in the transportation industry, most commonly in planes and ships. This position is readily available because the people use transport all the time, so the industry keeps thriving.

Also, if you want to stop traveling, you can easily transition from being a travel paramedic to a traditional paramedic.

It allows you to Diversify

The paramedic field is constantly expanding, allowing you to acquire new skills and enhance emergency procedures. However, you should study yourself and ensure that you are an ideal fit for the new role you want to explore.

Opportunity for Adventures

Travel paramedics, unlike traditional paramedics, have their jobs in transportation. They travel with their employers to different places. This allows them to explore other countries and cultures for free.

Assisting People in Need

The job of a travel paramedic is a very fulfilling one. You get to help people and probably save people’s life. A paramedic is also a sick person’s first hope. In your case, as a travel paramedic, you may be their only hope. You can also be the person that helps them stay alive until they get to a hospital.

Short Training

It takes an average of one year to become a paramedic after getting your EMT license and completing an authorized paramedic training program. It means that you can become a paramedic faster than you can get into other professions.

Disadvantages of Being a Traveling Paramedic

As beneficial as it is to be a travel paramedic, it still has some disadvantages to it. Some of these disadvantages are directly related to the job, while the others depend on your location and employer.

Some of the cons of working as a travel paramedic include:

It can be mentally exhausting

Paramedics deals with different types of people. Due to their job, they deal with people at their weakest. They see a lot of life-threatening injuries and death, which can in turn, take a toll on their mental health, sometimes leading to stress and lasting anxiety.

Therefore, if you are a paramedic or aspiring to be one, you must learn to take care of your emotional health.

It is Time-demanding

The job of a traveling paramedic is very time-demanding. As a travel paramedic, you spend more time traveling around than being at home. This will reduce the time you will have for your social life and the time you get to spend with your family.

Stress and Sleep Deprivation

Being a paramedic means that you have to be on call every time of the day. Another disadvantage of being a travel paramedic is that it can be stressful. It can also lead to an infringement of your sleep time.

It can be more stressful if you are the only paramedic on board. Sometimes, paramedics have to tend to patients all through the transport, thereby stressing and preventing the paramedics from having enough rest themselves.

Risk of Job-related Injuries

Paramedics are exposed to a lot of injuries, such as falling, slipping, or even being harmed by their instruments. So, if you aspire to pursue a career as a travel paramedic, always prioritize safety.

Certificates can Be Difficult to Obtain

Certification is vital in getting employed as a paramedic. However, these certificates can be difficult to obtain in some parts of the US. For example, you must be certified by the state and the national board for licensing before practicing paramedics in Florida. In fact, some other states do not prepare people for the National Paramedic Test; it situation means you may only be certified to work in one state.

What do Traveling Paramedics do?

There are many duties that a travel paramedic is required to perform. You should get acquainted with these duties to thrive in the field.

Assessing Patients

The primary duty of a traveling paramedic is to assess patients while traveling. If anybody on board shows symptoms of being sick, a paramedic needs to assess them and determine the severity of their condition. Thus, a specialist will know what measures to take.

Emergency Treatment

A travel paramedic is saddled with the duty of being the first responder. They give first-aid treatments and also provide emergency treatments. Examples of such situations are performing CPR or using the defibrillator to revive someone who goes into an emergency cardiac arrest.

Coordinates Medical Emergency During Traveling

The paramedic serves as an emergency coordinator during traveling. They respond first to the emergency and direct the situation accordingly.

Giving Medical Advice on Board

If a person is feeling sick on board, a traveling paramedic is the ‘doctor’ they need to see. The traveling paramedic will then guide the patient through this stage. These specialists also conclude if the case can be managed on board or the plane should land.

Conclusion

The job of a paramedic is essential in the medical line. A travel paramedic ensures the safety and wellness of passengers on board. It is a fulfilling job, and it pays well. However, it also has its challenges. The challenges and benefits listed above will enable you to monitor how to deal with your life as a paramedic.