Mike White is a paramedic but you won’t see him riding in an ambulance. Instead, you’ll find him working in the emergency room at Parkview Medical Center.
The 2020 PCC graduate earned his paramedic certificate in the Emergency Medical Services program. He now is completing his associate degree while he works at the hospital, providing an additional resource for Parkview and its patients.
“I feel that being a paramedic in the emergency department is an amazing opportunity,” said White. “You can build really good relationships with the nurses and physicians. One reason I decided to get my paramedic certificate was so I could better understand what we actually do for our patients. It helped me to be a better clinician and in turn improve patient outcomes.”
Paramedics working in an emergency department can take on multiple roles due to their variety of knowledge and skills. White can intubate patients, assist with medications and respiratory care, start IVs, do EKGs and treat wounds, among other responsibilities.
“I feel great at the end of my workday,” he said. “I love being the go-to guy and being able to assist in the care of so many patients, getting them better and home quickly.”
White said PCC is “not the only choice – it’s the better choice” for those considering an EMS career – and he’s proof that it doesn’t matter when someone takes that first step.
“I went into PCC not knowing that it was even possible since I graduated high school in 1996 and was a horrible student,” he said. “The instructors at PCC kept it interesting and motivated the students. Knowing that they cared about what they were teaching, made me care about what I was learning. Attending PCC gave me the support and tools I needed to be a successful paramedic.”
