NEW PARAMEDICS HIT THE STREETS
Putnam County, Tenn – Putnam County now has five new paramedics preparing to serve the community. The five are all currently employed by PCEMS as EMT’s, with some of them already completing the requirements to begin their role as paramedics.
Becoming a paramedic is not something that is easily achieved though. One of the recent graduates, Dragan Ramsey explained, “It’s been a long, hard year. We dedicated our lives for the past year to the science of paramedicine with approximately 84 hours a week split between work, school, and clinicals in order to obtain this level of licensure. This sounds like a lot of work, and it was, but it was all worth it to better serve this community.
Ramsey is one of four recent graduates of the Volunteer State Community College paramedic program, where they spent a year in classroom lectures, skills labs, performing over 600 hours of clinical time in emergency departments and on ambulances across the mid-state, preparing them for the demanding work of prehospital medicine. Ramsey, Kasey Henley, Nick Prall, and Jonathan Price all completed the program in September, setting them up to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians paramedic licensure exam.
Prall and Price both agree the exam is its own unique challenge. “Anyone who has taken the paramedic exam will agree it is one of the most difficult tests out there. We spent hours studying and preparing for it, and it’s nice to finally have it finished,” stated Prall. Price added, “It’s not just the written exam (which is actually on computer), but you’re required to complete a skills exam as well. They have a checklist and you are doing skills from memory. It is very strict and there are a lot of nerves to contend with. In the end, it really prepares you for the pressure of working in the field though.”
Henley is especially proud to be serving Putnam County. “It certainly has it’s moments where it can be really difficult, but it also has moments where you know you helped someone’s day be just a little bit better, even in a tough situation. My dad spent decades in law enforcement for Putnam County. It’s really nice to be following behind him and serving the same community I saw him give so much to.” explained Paramedic Henley.
In addition to the Volunteer State graduates, another longtime EMS employee completed a milestone not seen before at PCEMS. AEMT Leah Thomas, also a registered nurse with critical care nursing experience, completed the Creighton University bridge program, which provides critical care nurses with the skills and prehospital experience to bridge their nursing license into and EMS license as a paramedic.
Thomas stated the training was intense and has prepared her for the road ahead. Working for PCEMS for over ten years as an AEMT, Thomas has spent many hours taking care of patients across Putnam County. “I’ve always enjoyed being able to work in the field, and I’m really excited to get to take it to the next level,” Thomas concluded.
Photo Credit – Putnam County EMS
Photo (L to R): Nick Prall, Jonathan Price, Leah Thomas, Kasey Henley, Dragan Ramsey (not pictured, James Shanahan)
