As with all states in the U.S., EMTs and Paramedics must be certified in the state of Washington in order to become employed and work in the EMS field. EMS services, EMT Training and Paramedic Training, are governed by the Washington State Department of Health and Washington State EMS Trauma Systems. Certification to work and receive licensure applications are through this agency.
The DOH provides applications for all 8 levels of EMS service: First Responder, EMT-Basic, IV Technician, Airway Technician, IV/AW Technician, ILS Technician, ILS/Airway Technician and Paramedic.
Washington has four levels of EMT training certification:
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Advanced EMT
Paramedic
EMT and paramedic training programs in Washington must meet minimum standards for coursework and clinical experience to be accredited. These Washington 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 WA EMT training program and EMT paramedic training level.
EMTs and First Responders must pass the NREMT examinations in order to receive certification in Washington. The written part of the certification process used by the state of Washington for certifying EMS personnel is the National Registry EMT exam (NREMT). Once you have passed the exam and received certification recognition for that step, you must next complete the application process for the state of Washington. You will need proof of your course completion and certification from the approved EMT training program, and the National Registry examination results to proceed and apply for state certification.
To stay certified in Washington, you don’t need to maintain the NREMT certification; you only need to complete the state of Washington requirements for re-certification. The state has an OTEP process, Ongoing Training and Evaluation Program. The large majority of EMTs and First Responders recertify through this program.
To become a certified EMT in Washington, you need to be at least 17 years old. Other requirements include:
• High School Diploma, High School Transcripts or GED certificate
• Current driver’s license
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR Card
• Washington State Patrol Background Check
• Proof of Medical Insurance
• Proof of Immunity
The WA EMT training courses take about 150 to 190 hours, depending upon the WA EMT training program and the level of certification. You will also need to complete 10 hours of required patient care observation with a minimum of 5 patient inter-actions in a clinical setting. You can be in an Emergency department, ICU, coronary care unit, OB-GYN, recovery room, ambulance runs with patients, and other approved and sponsored departments. These clinical hours must be completed before the end of any Washington EMT training course evaluation.
To become a certified EMT Paramedic in the state of Washington 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 possess current CPR certification
• must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
• must pass a drug screening
EMS professionals in the state of Washington can earn as much as $49,840 - $65,880 in metropolitan areas like Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
EMTs and EMT paramedics may apply for reciprocity, if you are a certified EMT from another state or registered through the NREMT by having work or supervision through an approved EMS agency. Another requirement for Washington state reciprocity is the need for Infectious Disease Prevention training. Even if you’ve already received EMT training elsewhere, the state of Washington requires this training through the state. An individual cannot work for the state of Washington until they have completed EMT training in Washington State and/or are issued a state certificate.
Additional requirements for pursuing EMT training and EMT paramedic training exist, and specifics 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.
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.
Further information for WA EMT training can be obtained by contacting the Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at P.O. Box 47853, Olympia, Washington, 98504-7853
or by calling (360) 236-2828 – Toll free: 1-800-458-5281 ext 1.
