Year after year, the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics states the health care industry and related fields will see favorable employment and job security through 2020. This includes all EMS personnel which are projected to grow at a rate of 33%. Therefore, becoming an EMT could be one of the best career choices an individual can make, especially in a sluggish economy.
The EMT Career Path is Easy and Affordable
1. Start by completing a cardiopulmonary resuscitation program for CPR certification. Many EMT training programs require this certification as a prerequisite to entering an EMT school or taking EMT courses. Numerous EMS courses include CPR training, so you will want to check with the EMS program director first so you do not double up on courses. Regardless, taking CPR training will give you a head start towards EMT certification. CPR classes are available through local Red Cross chapters, hospitals, colleges, and EMS and firefighting training centers.
2. Next, research the appropriate course, facility or school from which you can take your EMT training courses. These are usually available at hospitals, community colleges, universities, Tech schools, and some are provided online.
Be sure you meet the class prerequisites.
They usually include, though are not limited to:
• must be a minimum of 18 years old to apply (though some programs accept entrance as young as 16 and 17)
• High school diploma, GED or the equivalent
• Proof of up-to-date immunization Hepatitis C vaccination series need to be completed, or a form stating you don’t wish to take part in the vaccination is required before the start of EMS courses
• Satisfactory completion of a college level English and Math course
• Proof of a “passing” physical exam- no older than one year
• Updated immunizations
• A clean background check and proof of medical insurance
3. Next, complete the EMT training courses. These are usually courses lasting from an accelerated EMS course with a time length of as little as one month, to a program lasting six months. Either way, the courses are short and affordable. Maintain the (usually) required grade “C” average for all courses, and you are now ready for the final step of certification.
4. Sit for the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) Exam. This is a standardized exam that must be successfully completed to receive EMT certification and become employed as an EMT. You must be at least 18 years of age, have successfully completed EMT training courses, and sit for the exam within 2 years of your EMT training course completion.
There are 3 levels of EMS training:
Each of these levels is necessary to enter an EMT paramedic training program.
First Responder: A First Responder has completed an approved course consisting of basic first aid classroom work as well as hands-on fieldwork. Often this course or level is included in the EMT Training-Basic courses at some colleges and institutions, but not as a rule.
The next level of certification is Basic EMT certification. This is usually the entry level, designed to provide EMT training in order to help you enter the workforce in a relatively short period of time. Basic EMT training consists of approximately 200 additional hours of EMS courses (8 weeks – 6 months depending upon the program). This includes field work, also referred to as “on the job” training. It qualifies you to assess patient needs and administer certain types of medications.
EMT-I/85 (lower level intermediate) and EMT-I/99 (higher level intermediate) are the next levels. In some schools/courses these are also referred to as Advanced EMT levels. These consist of approximately 250-300 hours of field work (though EMS courses range from 200-400 hours), and provides training for patient care at the next level of assistance.
EMT Paramedic is the highest level, often referred to as EMT paramedic training. This degree of education takes between 12 and 24 months to complete and involves approximately 1,000-1,500 hours of training. Advanced paramedic training courses will take up to 2 years for completion by paramedics in an Associate Degree program.
All of this can seem overwhelming, but there are many great (and accredited) schools and programs. Advisors are pros at stepping you through the schedules and courses needed, as well as preparing you to sit for the NREMT exam, licensing and certification.
Explore our site, visit the guides, programs and school information. Our goal is to help you be successful for the rewarding career of an EMT or paramedic, and here you can find the information you need to do just that!
Further Options could be the “Scholarships for Dads” Program:
Paramedics are among the lifeline in today’s modern world. They are ones who responded to emergencies, often saving lives. If you want to be a part of this rewarding profession, you might be eligible to be a paramedic through scholarship for the dad program.
First of all, you must be a father, live in the U.S. and be a legal resident. This would be the basic prerequisite before you try to apply for the scholarship program.
There should be at least a few EMT training and EMT paramedic schools in your state that offering EMT and paramedic training. You should at least be a high school graduate to get accepted to one of these schools.
If you will be applying for a scholarship through the Dad Scholarship program, it is a good reason to get into paramedic training. If awarded a scholarship, it means you could get your EMT training and be a certified paramedic without burning a hole in your wallet.
Just make sure that before you venture on applying to training schools, you have prepared yourself physically. The job is physically demanding because as one it’s expected you can lift heavy loads and move with agility. So balance and physically coordination is a must. Likewise, it is required that you have good eyesight and perfect color vision.
Look into this program, if becoming an EMT or EMT paramedic is your dream career, you might be able to do it without going into debt to receive an education and the important EMT training needed to serve others and save lives.