EMT and Paramedic training in Alaska is a professional career move, consisting of specific EMT training requirement to provide the state of Alaska with the very best EMS services.

EMT training and EMT paramedic training, licensing and certification in the state of Alaska are governed by two agencies. EMT first responders are certified by the Department of Health and Social Services, which governs the Emergency Medical Services Program, and Paramedics are licensed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Emergency Medical Services are provided by EMTs and paramedics. Depending upon the region, there are 7 in Alaska, this can be either a paid or a volunteer position. You will want to check the region in which you are considering your AK EMT training for specific requirements.

Alaska offers 6 levels of EMT training and EMT paramedic training:

1. ETT~ Emergency Trauma Technician. This consists of approximately 40 hours of training in the basics of emergency medical care.
2. EMT-I ~ Emergency Medical Technician-I. This training is the equivalent to the National Standard EMT-Basic.
3. Defibrillator Technician. An additional 16 hours of training will authorized the EMT-I to use manual defibrillators and become certified as a defibrillator technician.
4. EMT-II ~ Emergency Medical Technician-II. This training is just slightly above the level of the training for the National Standard Training Program for EMT-Intermediate. The EMT-II courses are just over 50 hours in length and train the students to initiate intravenous lines and administer fluids and certain medications.
5. EMT-III ~ Emergency Medical Technician-III. This Emergency medical training program is at least 50hours in length, and includes (among other additional instruction) cardio care skills.
6. MICP ~ Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic. This is the training that continues after the EMT-III level.

For paramedic training in Alaska, Paramedic training students (or MICPs) train under the direct or indirect supervision of a physician.

In order to be employed as an EMT or EMT paramedic in AK, EMT paramedic training in Alaska includes completion of the written examination of certification is required and this must include a valid certificate and wallet card.

Once EMT paramedic training is completed, an individual must meet the EMT paramedic licensing requirements for the state of Alaska, some of which include:

• Must be 19 years of age or older.
• Must be a high school graduate.
• Provide a physician’s sponsor letter stating you will be under the supervision of a physician at all times, one approved by the board.
• Provide a certified copy of your paramedic program certification, signed and verifying completion of the EMT paramedic training program.
• Must complete the classroom and clinical rotation portions of the curriculum and complete the required 480 hour internship.
• Pass the written and practical NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) exam.
• Provide other current licensing and fees.

The state of Alaska will issue a license to individuals who have completed EMT training or EMT paramedic training in another state if the individual can provide:

• Proof of a valid CPR credential or certification
• Copy of the valid state, territory, or National Registry certification
• Proof of successful completion of the written and practical examination, administered by the department, at the level of which the individual is applying for. This does not include those applying for EMT-I level.
• Proof of evidence of sponsorship of a medical director, and this must be approved by the department.

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 increasing 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 also will still be demand for part-time, volunteer EMTs and paramedics in rural areas and smaller metropolitan areas.

Job prospects should be are 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.

These are just a few of the requirements and procedures necessary for certification and licensing within the state of Alaska.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program in Alaska via email EMS Certification Specialist or by phone: (907) 465-3029.

Additional requirements for pursuing AK EMT training and EMT paramedic training exist, and details 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.