How to Become a Flight Medic
Step 1: Understand the job description and responsibilities of a Flight Medic
What does a Flight Medic do?
A Flight Medic transports and transfers patients by aircraft and assesses the extent of an illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures to follow. Provides advanced life support care to patients who are ill and/or injured. Being a Flight Medic replenishes the aircraft with medical supplies after flights. Must be CPR certified. Additionally, Flight Medic requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to manager. Flight Medic's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
A flight medic is an emergency medical technician who is a member of an aerial medical evacuation, or medevac, crew.
When the medevac helicopter reaches its destination, the flight medic will brief the receiving doctors and nurses on the patient's condition.
The medic is responsible for stabilizing and immobilizing a trauma patient before a flight to medical facilities.
Medical evacuation flights are typically used to transport trauma victims to an area where they can receive the proper medical care.
Typically, helicopters are used for these flights, but fixed-wing planes may also be used.
Step 2: Learn best tips to become a Flight Medic
Best tips for those who want to become a Flight Medic
Here are some tips to become a Flight Medic.
Qualified in the MOS 68W with a minimum of 1 year experience as a combat medic.
Must be a volunteer for flight duty.
Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
Step 3: View best colleges and universities for Flight Medic
Best colleges and universities for Flight Medic
- Butler University
- Carroll College
- Cooper Union
- High Point University
- Princeton University
- Providence College
Step 4: Think about whether is it worth to be a Flight Medic
Is being a Flight Medic Worth it?
A flight medic just does his job in a helicopter -- and in potentially dangerous battle situations.
A flight medic just does his job in a helicopter -- and in potentially dangerous battle situations.
Army flight medic in Afghanistan, Nick Evans often found himself playing a waiting game.
Army flight medic in Afghanistan, Nick Evans often found himself playing a waiting game.
It's just mountain range to mountain range across huge valleys and you just get lost in that,” explained PHI Flight Medic, Billy Rice.
Step 5: Prepare relevant skills for being a Flight Medic
What skills do you need to be a Flight Medic?
Every role has basic skill requirements for success, from supporting level roles to management roles. These skills will be utilized daily within this role: Air Traffic Management, Flight Operations, Ramp Service Operations. They may seem basic, but some of the more fundamental skills required for this role include: Aviation maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) software, Aviation Software. When applying for this job, it is important to consider these skills, as well as any others you feel would be necessary to succeed.
Like all paramedics, flight medics must have education beyond high school – but a four-year college degree isn't typically required for this job.
His Guard training as a combat medic is more heavily focused on treating traumatic injuries, which has improved his assessment and treatment skills for those patients, whereas his civilian career gives him exposure to many more patients – 40-50 per week – who are experiencing medical issues of all varieties.
Like all paramedics, flight medics must have education beyond high school – but a four-year college degree isn't typically required for this job.
Before you can become a flight medic, expect to spend at least three years getting experience as a paramedic on the ground.
Before you can become a flight medic, expect to spend at least three years getting experience as a paramedic on the ground.
Step 6: View average salary for Flight Medic
How much does a Flight Medic make?
The average salary range for a Flight Medic is from $56,448 to $70,149. The salary will change depending on your location, job level, experience, education, and skills.
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Step 7: Find relevant Flight Medic jobs, and apply.
Looking for Flight Medic jobs?
Here are some Flight Medic jobs in the United States.