Davidson County offers local EMTs assistance to obtain paramedics certification
Davidson County is helping some of its employees who want to become paramedics by paying for their books, uniforms and other items needed.
The Davidson County Board of Commissioners approved a one-time offer to pay $750 for each current EMT who works for the county to attend a 19-month program at Davidson-Davie Community college to obtain their paramedic certification.
Want to know more about what is happening in Davidson County? Support local journalism, subscribe to The Dispatch.
According to Mark Robbins, EMS operations manager of Davidson County Emergency Services, the community college has waived the fees for the classes, so the money will be used to help pay for books, uniforms and other items.
“We do need more paramedics, and we have had quite a few of our EMTs who said they were interested in progressing to the paramedic level, but there were some financial barriers,” said Robbins.
The basic difference between EMTs and paramedics is their level of education and the kind of procedures they are allowed to perform. While EMTs can administer CPR, glucose, and oxygen, paramedics can perform more complex procedures such as inserting IV lines and administering drugs.
Robbins said they have approximately 6 to 8 EMTs currently employed with the county who are interested in obtaining their paramedic certification. The paramedic academy is only eligible for current EMTs at Davidson County emergency services
Emergency services are required to have a paramedic on every ambulance responding to an call. Davidson County currently have 11 ambulances on call during the day and 10 at night.
More: Davidson County looking to fill vacancies for 911 operators, EMTs and other positions
Robbins said although they are fully staffed, they would prefer to have two paramedics per ambulance. Currently they mostly have one paramedic and one EMT per vehicle.
He said he is hoping this pilot program approved by the Davidson County Commissioners will help with the retention and recruitment of more paramedics.
“The better qualified our employees are, the more advanced skills we have, the better service we can provide the community,” said Robbins.
The Davidson County Board of Commissioners stated during their meeting, if the program is a success, they may consider offering it again on a more permanent basis.
General news reporter Sharon Myers can be reached at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter @LexDispatchSM.
This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: Davidson County offers assistance for local EMTs to become paramedics
