EMS Jobs in New Jersey
Anyone considering EMS jobs in New Jersey has plenty of choices when it comes to training for an EMT or paramedic position.
EMS jobs are growing in popularity throughout the country. The overall healthcare industry is one of the few that has continued to add jobs despite the current economic recession and the industry is expected to continue to grow at a fast pace during the near future.
The outlook for EMTs and paramedics is a promising one, with positions in the field to grow faster than the average for all industries. In addition, most EMS jobs pay well, with the average salary in New Jersey around $32,110 per year.
However, anyone interested in becoming an EMT or paramedic must first obtain the proper training. Luckily, there are several colleges throughout New Jersey that can prepare you for a future EMS career. The top three colleges, according to Education-Portal.com, are:
Camden County College in Blackwood - This school offers a paramedic certificate and associate degree in conjunction with the multi-hospital healthcare system Virtua. The associate program will provide students with a degree in Applied Science in Paramedic Science.
Certificate training consists of three classroom semesters and five clinical semesters. The five semesters of clinical training consists of hospital, emergency room and laboratory work, as well as 320 internship hours and 180 field residency hours as a member of a mobile intensive care unit.
Students learn paramedic responsibilities, including anatomy and physiology, disease management, advanced patient assessment, emergency skills and techniques, advanced life support, EKG interpretation, trauma, pediatrics and neo-natal care.
Upon graduation, students will receive a professional certificate of completion and 42 academic credits, while students in the associate program will earn an additional 26 general education credits. All students will be eligible to take the New Jersey State and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic exams.
Union County College in Cranford - This school offers a paramedic didactic program that provides training to students interested in pathophysiology and those who can work in an uncontrolled environment. Applicants must first be EMT-Basic certified, approved by the program director and sponsored by a NJ Department of Health approved hospital with an active MICU program.
Training lasts two semesters, including a paramedic skills course and a paramedic laboratory course, which must be taken in order. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in all courses. They will receive training in cardiac, respiratory, neurological and renal systems, pharmacology, geriatric and pediatric age-specific situations, advanced patient assessment and application of emergency pre-hospital treatment skills.
Following the two semesters of training, students must complete a clinical rotation as a paramedic at their sponsoring hospital. Graduates will receive a certification of completion and be eligible to sit for the state and national exams.
Hudson County Community College in Jersey City - This school offers an Associate in Applied Science in Paramedic Science in conjunction with the Jersey City Medical Center. In order to apply, students must have a valid New Jersey driver's license, a state EMT-Basic certification and sponsorship from JCMC.
The five-semester course consists of 66 credit programs, including lectures and laboratories. Of those credits, 33 are in general education and obtained at the college campus, while 30 are in paramedic science and obtained at JCMC's campus and laboratory sites.
Students can expect to receive training in anatomy and physiology, shock and trauma management, pre-hospital special operations, emergency cardiac care, psychology, advanced patient assessment, pre-hospital medical emergencies and special population pre-hospital care.
After completing all course hours and a mandatory field internship conducted by JCMC, graduates will receive their associates degree and be qualified to take the state and national exams.