Paremedic (Ambulanssi) in Finland...

[Munlaw]

How does one become a paramedic in Finland (assuming the person speaks Finnish very well and is legally allowed to work there) ?

[Nallis]

Studies four years in a nursing school (polytechnic).

[Munlaw]

Studies four years in a nursing school (polytechnic).

Even to work as a paramedic with a city's pelastuslaitos (Fire Service) ?

[mCowboy]

Most ambulance services are nowadays private companies who are subcontracted by the city.

Fire dept has some paramedic services, but it's mostly fire fighting. There's professional fire fighters and then there's volunteers, who are semi pros.

[Munlaw]

Most ambulance services are nowadays private companies who are subcontracted by the city.

Fire dept has some paramedic services, but it's mostly fire fighting. There's professional fire fighters and then there's volunteers, who are semi pros.

But do you really have to do four years in a nursing school to become a paramedic in Finland ?

[Tiwaz]

Most ambulance services are nowadays private companies who are subcontracted by the city.

Fire dept has some paramedic services, but it's mostly fire fighting. There's professional fire fighters and then there's volunteers, who are semi pros.

But do you really have to do four years in a nursing school to become a paramedic in Finland ?

Most likely yes. You are expected to give more than basic first aid, you are also expected to be able to do some limited diagnostics etc to speed up the process.

And no, having watched House, ER and other hospital series in TV does not give those abilities no matter how gifted you are in medical business. You have to study.

[Karhunkoski]

Yes things have changed, the role is now less of a "driver with a bag of bandages" and more "lifesaver". Most lives are saved at the side of the road now, so training is more important, also with the super modern kit they now carry.

[Munlaw]

And no, having watched House, ER and other hospital series in TV does not give those abilities no matter how gifted you are in medical business. You have to study.

Yes things have changed, the role is now less of a "driver with a bag of bandages" and more "lifesaver". Most lives are saved at the side of the road now, so training is more important, also with the super modern kit they now carry.

Ya, you have to go to a 2-year Paramedic course at a local college (Polytechincal)to become a Paramedic here in Ontario, but 4 years is a little long !

[Hank W.]

But do you really have to do four years in a nursing school to become a paramedic in Finland ?

Yes, and speak Finnish and Swedish as well.

[EP]

When I am having a heart attack or a stroke or in immense pain Finnish probably is the only language I am able to talk or understad at the time.

[Munlaw]

But do you really have to do four years in a nursing school to become a paramedic in Finland ?

Yes, and speak Finnish and Swedish as well.

Is being a paramedic a well-paid occupation in Finland ? Is their pay comparable to that of a Professional Firefighter ?

[mCowboy]

But do you really have to do four years in a nursing school to become a paramedic in Finland ?

Yes, and speak Finnish and Swedish as well.

Is being a paramedic a well-paid occupation in Finland ? Is their pay comparable to that of a Professional Firefighter ?

They are both underpaid. Read http://www.hs.fi/english

[Tiwaz]

Yes things have changed, the role is now less of a "driver with a bag of bandages" and more "lifesaver". Most lives are saved at the side of the road now, so training is more important, also with the super modern kit they now carry.

Ya, you have to go to a 2-year Paramedic course at a local college (Polytechincal)to become a Paramedic here in Ontario, but 4 years is a little long !

Would Ontario take guy who knows absolutely nothing and turn him into paramedic in 2 years or is this course for those with already existing medical background?

In Finland you are pretty much, to my knowledge, trained from point of no knowledge to paramedic.

Or, it could be that local paramedics are expected to perform wider amount of services than in Ontario. I know they were able to do at least rudimentary EKG or whatever that heart thingy is.

[olofsson]

Or, it could be that local paramedics are expected to perform wider amount of services than in Ontario. I know they were able to do at least rudimentary EKG or whatever that heart thingy is.

Rudimentary EKG interpretation that is, which above a rudimentary level is a task for physicians.

I may be wrong (I sometimes am ), but I believe paramedics here are by and large equivalents of specialized nurses, if considering training and responsibilities.

[Allard88]

You will have to practice this game first: http://www.ambulanssi.nl

No, just kidding. It's a game based on a dutch tv-commercial which was set in Finland:P