International EMT Paramedic Training
The question of how and where to get EMT training or EMT paramedic training certification is one not easily answered. There are too many factors that will determine which is the best path for you to take.
Location, of course, is the first deciding factor when responding to that question. Naturally those students who live near countries or regions that provide paramedic schools or EMT training facilities have easier access. Many paramedic schools or programs offer out of area/state waivers for students living nearby, just across borders or in regions of close proximity.
There are numerous EMT schools and paramedic training programs across the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, South Africa and many, many other countries. Each EMT school has application requirements, just as any school would. Paramedic programs often require pre EMT training experience or education. Regardless of the school or program, each EMT paramedic training program will necessitate transcripts of your previous education.
If you live outside the U.S. and are seeking EMT training, foreign transcripts must be evaluated to determine if your education is the equivalent of an American high school diploma. Students who have attended college outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by a NACES (National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services) approved independent agency, demonstrating AA/AS degree or higher. Such cases are often evaluated on an individual basis. In addition, in most cases, if the student is not an EMT in the United States, prior EMT paramedic training and experience will be evaluated.
This is often the case if seeking EMT paramedic training from countries such as Canada or the UK. These countries will also require an evaluation of your education credentials in order to see if they qualify for entrance into the EMT training or paramedic school of that particular country.
When considering online EMT training, first call the EMT paramedic school or college you are considering enrolling in and ask for the International Student Affairs Department (most colleges and universities have one) and request an appointment to have your foreign transcripts evaluated. This appointment can take place via the internet or by phone conference call. You should also look into the World Education Services organization. Call or check it out online for help with foreign academic credentials, institutions and trends.
If location is an issue for you and physical attendance to EMS training courses are not an option, consider online EMT training. There are a vast number of schools and institutions offering EMT and EMT paramedic training through online (internet) courses. These online EMT and EMS courses can be found through many world-wide organizations. The drawback is that in most cases, once you have completed the didactic portion of the EMT training program students are required to travel, at their own expense, to attend the practical skills training. Where the “field work” or hands-on clinicals can or must be taken is determined by each individual online program.
There is an organization called AIEP (International Association of EMTs and Paramedics), which seeks to increase communication between stand-alone municipal and private EMS groups and is committed to enhancing the field of EMS and EMT workers globally.
With agencies like these working hard to promote global recognition of EMTs and EMS workers and paramedics, and with online education becoming more widely accepted, EMT training will become easier to obtain regardless of where you live.
Take time to research the EMT school you are looking into. Ask questions and be sure to utilize the Foreign Affairs (or similar) program most schools provide. EMT paramedic training and certification or licensing is not impossible; you just need to do some investigating.
Related Posts:
Tags: Careers, EMT Paramedic Programs, EMT paramedic training, EMT Schools Training, emt training, Paramedic schools