EMT Paramedic Training Courses – Choose the Best Path
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training schools are the first step on the journey to becoming a paramedic. Paramedics are vitally important to the communities in which they serve, and becoming certified pays off with an extremely rewarding career.
An EMT career consists of four levels. EMT paramedic training begins with EMT 1, continuing through EMT 2, EMT 3, and finishing as an EMT Paramedic, which is the optimum degree for an EMT. If you are commencing on your EMT training with plans to make paramedics your career, you need to find a paramedic school that can take you through all 4 levels of EMT training. If you are already working as an EMT basic, find an EMT school or EMT courses for your present level, guaranteeing the EMS course program allows you to advance from your current EMT level to the level of paramedic. For instance, a hospital may offer EMT training, but it may not certify beyond a First Responder or EMT Basic level. There are many EMT schools and EMS courses that do not advance EMT training beyond an EMT basic, and this can be a problem when it comes to transferring EMT certification to another school or program. Regardless of what institution or program you choose, your first priority should be determining what classification of EMT certification you desire and what career path you choose before enrolling in any EMT paramedic training program. In addition, classifications and requirements vary by state and countries, so know what those variants are before applying for an EMT paramedic training school program.
Once you have determined your EMT career path, take these steps into consideration:
• Time period in which you wish to complete your EMT training
• Your personal financial situation
• Availability to a school, college or university
• Current family obligations and schedule
Each of these could be a determining factor of which type of EMT training program or EMS courses you choose. For instance, if family obligations require you to stay in a current job while undergoing EMT training, then find an EMT paramedic program that offers flexibility. An online course or night school for EMT training is an option. This would also be a deciding factor if you have to commute a far distance in order to take classes. If you consider online courses for the classroom EMT courses, be sure you can transfer those courses into a program offering clinicals and the necessary hands-on field work required for EMT paramedic training certification.
In addition, if finances are an issue, look into EMT schools and programs that offer grants. There are many available, including federal grants that offer financing for students entering into community based services, such as a paramedic.
If time is a factor, you have many options. The Accelerated, or Fast-Track EMT basic program allows you to complete EMT training within weeks. Programs vary, but in some cases you could be certified as an EMT basic within a month. However, average EMT basic training usually consists of 110-120 hours of EMS classroom instruction covered over a period of 12 weeks to 6 months. Full EMT paramedic training certification takes up to two years, thus, it is important to know in advance the time you have to dedicate to the completion of the EMT paramedic training you desire.
Finally, regardless of your EMT education choice, research the school or program. Determine its credibility, accreditation, and reputation. You can easily do this by visiting the institution, speaking to counselors, and checking the ranking of the school. Another valuable move is to consult with current or past students of the program. Not only can they give you an assessment of the EMT program, they could also give you important tips and advice.
While you may be anxious to begin your EMT paramedic career and not want to take too much time to research EMT paramedic schools and programs, keep in mind the EMT education that you choose is a very important decision. The school or institution where you enroll can affect your job prospects, as well as how prepared you are when you go out into the field.
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Tags: EMT paramedic training, EMT Schools, emt training, EMT's, paramedic, Paramedic schools, paramedic training