An Ocala Fire Rescue paramedic has successfully taken her training to the next level.
After months of seemingly endless practical and theoretical sessions, Ashley Andrews joined the elite in her field by becoming a certified Critical Care Paramedic.
Andrews, a 10-year department veteran, was seeking a new challenge and wanted to further her knowledge in the emergency medical field, so she enrolled in the University of Florida’s Critical Care Paramedic program.
“I have never been more academically challenged,” Andrews said of the program. “Although (the certificate) was difficult to attain, it was certainly worth it.”
During the intensive five-month program, Andrews studied topics ranging from biomechanics of ventilation and ventilator management to invasive blood pressure monitoring to neonatal care. The various subjects were covered through didactic and hands-on sessions.
While the course requires participants to be experienced paramedics, the volume of material covered thoroughly tests each student’s desire to obtain the specialized certification. And it’s been proven through various classes that only those who learn the material as second nature successfully complete the program.
Andrews is the fourth Ocala Fire Rescue member to earn the Critical Care Paramedic certification. The others are Jesse Blaire, Tim Carver and Robert Moore.