First Responder and EMT training certification is one of the initial steps towards EMT and EMT paramedic certification and licensure. Demands, responsibilities and conflicting schedules can make this seem impossible. Don’t give up on becoming an EMT or EMT paramedic if this is your dream or aspiration. EMS, EMT (Basic and Intermediate) and EMT paramedic training courses are available online. If your current circumstances and responsibilities hinder you from attending traditional classroom EMT training programs, consider the benefits of online EMT training courses.

Not only do many of the EMT training online courses let you begin your coursework as soon as you have registered, you are not held to the restrictions of a traditional classroom. Therefore transportation, family obligations, work schedules, and even finances (traditionally online courses are less expensive), are not a hindrance to the education you need to become an EMT or EMT paramedic. Another benefit of online EMT training - if you have 24-7 access to a computer, you can work at your own pace.

Online EMS and EMT training courses begin at the level of First Responder and continue through the highest level, that of an EMT paramedic.

Online EMT Training Programs Summary

Many of the EMT paramedic training programs offered online are state of the art. These programs offer access to all the traditional class handouts, PowerPoint presentations, videos, live chats, and even live lectures. There are online EMS courses that are available and easily imported through your I Phone, I Touch, Notebook, MP3 player, and other such devices.

While the argument against online courses is the added benefit of a face-to-face student/instructor education that is provided in a traditional classroom, “real time” interaction, now available due to advanced technology, dispels that negative perception.

Not all the EMT training required for certification can be completed online. Once the EMT online courses are successfully completed, you will be required to participate in and complete an in-hospital, or medical facility clinical ration, just as with traditional EMT training. In addition, and again just as with traditional programs, you will need to participate in field work, such as an internship with local ambulance or EMS services in your area.

While online EMT courses offer flexibility and a “go at your own pace” schedule, online EMT training programs do have a “completion time” requirement. This completion deadline can be as little as a few weeks or up to a year, depending upon the course or courses you are taking. We found many online EMT training courses offering a completion time of four months, for EMT-Basic.

A good, high quality online EMT training program will provide coursework that is accredited and approved by the state in which you want to receive your certification. There are some online programs that provide certification in all 50 states, as well as other countries. Most online EMS programs are designed to meet, and even exceed, the requirements set forth by a specific state. They are also designed to prepare you for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam, which will be required for you to receive certification and to be employed as a First responder, an EMT or a Paramedic.

Each online EMT training or online EMS course has specific requirements in order to access the online program. Here we list a few, however, be sure you research all criteria PRIOR to enrolling in any EMS online training program.

Online program requirements

Technology requirements include:

• Access to a computer with a specific operating system (most courses will give you the version your computer operating system must be, including a processor speed of at least 1Ghz.)
• A broadband internet connection (dial-up is discouraged, due to the tendency to “time-out”)
• A webcam, microphone and speaker
• Windows Media Player
• PowerPoint Viewer
• Adobe Reader
• QuickTime

It is beneficial to have both Internet Explorer and FireFox as your browser options, due to some course material viewing better with one program over the other.

Online EMS Course Pre-requisites

These are usually the same as traditional EMT training and EMT paramedic pre-requisites. They include (but are not limited to):

• must be at least 18 years of age (some programs allow 17 years of age)
• must hold a current CPR card
• must meet math and reading level requirements
• must possess a high school diploma or GED, though some courses can begin during or through a high school program

Additionally, and usually within 30 days of beginning your hospital or EMS rotations, you will be required to (but are not limited to):

• pass a background check • have current immunization records • pass drug screening

Advanced EMT and EMT paramedic programs require additional pre-requisites, which include certification of the “previous” level of EMT certification, as well as pre-testing. These are necessary for acceptance in the program to be granted.

Each online EMT training or EMS course has specific conditions to be met in order to access the online course. Be sure you can meet this criteria PRIOR to enrolling and handing over your money.

Additional Information

Online EMS and EMT Training Courses include, but are not limited to: skills and training to respond to and provide medical care for emergency life-saving situations, heart and asthma attacks, drug overdoses, choking, strokes, childbirth, trauma and fractures and injuries. Online EMS programs also provide training for instruction in lifting and moving patients, taking vital signs, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), handling airway obstructions, setting fractures, stopping bleeding and how to use medical emergency equipment such as oxygen, backboards, and stretchers.

Online EMS training courses for the EMT-Intermediate and EMT Paramedic level include: instructions in administering oral and intravenous medication, the use of EKGs, intubating patients, medical emergency surgical procedures, medical triage, diagnosis, and basic anatomy, physiology, pathology, and toxicology.

Currently active duty members of the U.S. military can receive funding for online EMT training certification. This funding can also be awarded to the spouse of active duty military personnel who wish to take EMT training courses.

Those who excel in a fast paced environment or with an accelerated schedule will enjoy (and be successful) with online EMT training courses. Your answers are given immediately, upon completion of the assignment, and the exams are scored faster.

The down side of online EMT training is the lack of “hands-on” experience. While you will be required to complete this at clinicals and with field work, the firsthand experiences you receive in a traditional classroom are invaluable. They are also something potential employers look for. Our suggestion ~ volunteer as much as possible at a local health care facility, or another EMS provider. This allows you to still be the master of a flexible schedule and receive the benefits of EMT training online, yet you still get the necessary and valuable experience you need in health care services and patient care.

If your current circumstances make attending traditional EMT training or EMT paramedic training programs difficult, if you need flexibility, if you are juggling a job and/or family obligations, and if you are a fast learner and want to move ahead, then an online EMT training program is an excellent choice for you.

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International EMT Paramedic Training

Tags: EMT online training, EMT onlines courses, EMT Paramedic Programs, emt training, online paramedic course, paramedic training online

This entry was posted on Monday, April 2nd, 2012 at 22:21 and is filed under EMT Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.