EMT Paramedic Training in Alabama
EMT training and EMT paramedic training, licensing and certification in the state of Alabama are governed by the Alabama Office of Emergency Medical Services (AOEMS). This state bureau must approve all the applicants, as well as their certifications, before the individual can be employed in the state of Alabama as an EMT.
Each state has its own EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Board and requirements for EMS certification. Like many states, EMT paramedic training in Alabama requires certification in EMT training – Basic before the individual is allowed to advance to paramedic training.
To become a certified EMT in the state of Alabama an individual:
- must be at least 18 years of age.
- must enroll in EMT-basic training and pass EMT certification.
- must pass a criminal background check.
- must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
Alabama EMT training programs vary in length and credit hours due to the variables in each program. In addition to the program course hours, clinical experience is required for each EMT training program and EMT paramedic training level.
EMTs and Paramedics who have completed EMT training in Alabama will be proficient in EMS (emergency medical service) skills. EMT training in AL provides EMS personnel the ability to determine the type (and extent) of a patient’s injuries. They will also be able to determine if there are other factors such as seizures or pre-existing medication conditions. In Alabama the EMT training completed will regulate the extent of treatment the EMT can provide prior to the patient’s arrival at a hospital or medical facility.
Alabama EMT training and paramedic training in AL provide the licensed EMS provider with the necessary skills in which to respond to emergency medical situations as set for by the Alabama Paramedic Protocol Scenarios.
The state of Alabama and the agency of AOEMS also requires the individual who has completed EMT training to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and recognizes the exam certification if taken in other states. In addition, passing of a state approved exam is also required before an EMT state license can be issued.
In the state of Alabama, the average salary range (from certification as EMT to EMT paramedic) is: $15,700 to $31,600.
According to the United States Department of Labor:
Employment of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and EMT paramedics is expected to grow by 19 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Full-time paid EMTs and paramedics will be needed to replace unpaid volunteers. It is becoming increasingly difficult for emergency medical services to recruit and retain unpaid volunteers because of the amount of EMT training and EMT paramedic training, and the large time commitment these positions require. Not to mention liability. As a result, more paid EMTs and paramedics are needed. Furthermore, as a large segment of the population—aging members of the baby boom generation—becomes more likely to have medical emergencies, demand will increase for EMTs and paramedics. There will still be demand for part-time, volunteer EMTs and paramedics in rural areas and smaller metropolitan areas.
Job prospects should be very favorable and job opportunities should be best in private ambulance services. Competition will be greater for jobs in local government, including fire, police, and independent third-service rescue squad departments which tend to have better salaries and benefits. EMTs and paramedics who have advanced EMT training education and paramedic training, such as Paramedic level certification, should enjoy the most favorable job prospects as employees and patients demand higher levels of care before arriving at the hospital.
Additional requirements for pursuing EMT training and EMT paramedic training exist, and details of these are fairly common state to state. Read the articles EMT Training and EMT Paramedic Training for details and a list of these requirements.
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of EMS and Trauma via email at [email protected], or by calling (334) 206-5383.
The following are EMT training and paramedic schools in Alabama that offer accredited EMT paramedic training programs:
Southern Union State Community College in Opelika, AL offers a two year Associate’s Degree paramedic training program.
Northwest - Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, AL has an EMT training program that is one semester in length. The school also offers a paramedic training program which is 4 semesters and provides an EMT paramedic certificate to students successfully completing the paramedic school program.
Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, Al offers a paramedic training program which is 4 semesters. The paramedic training program is a two year Associate’s Degree.
H. Council Trenholm State Technical College in Montgomery, AL has a two year paramedic training program which is an Associate’s Degree paramedic training program.
Tags: emt paramedic, EMT paramedic training in Alabama, EMT Schools in Alabama, emt training, Paramedic Training in Alabama, Paramedics