By Issac Mills
It’s wonderful that you have made the decision to become an Emergency Medical Technician, but now, the challenging work begins. And regretfully, the solutions to oft-asked questions typically aren’t very easy to come by.
How exactly do I become an EMT, anyway? Just how do I pinpoint what university to apply to, or what qualifications programs have in place? Is there a minimum age qualification? Are there defined recognitions that are obligatory?
The reality is that every training program (and each and every state) holds their own list of criteria that they’re searching for in a student. Therefore, the applying process can differ from program to program.
With that pointed out, there are a few typical requirements that are already in place. Here in this article, we’ll talk about these requirements in hopes of better explaining the EMT training process, which we know can appear a tad intricate.
First, let’s start with just the fundamentals. Even though every program might be slightly distinct, in most cases, you will need to be eighteen years old to enroll in an EMT training program.
Although you are required to be eighteen, you do not have to possess a college degree. Among the terrific things about becoming an EMT is that the career of an Emergency Medical Technician does not demand a great deal of education or experience. Although a number of jobs normally may require you to have many different degrees, when you apply to an EMT training program, you only have to have a high school diploma or GED.
With that said, you will definitely also need to hold a valid vehicle drivers license. And with the standard EMT job description requiring EMTs to perform CPR on individuals unable to inhale and exhale on their own, you’ll also be required to hold CPR certification at the Healthcare provider level.
Individuals applying to EMT schools will need to have the ability to read at a 10th grade standard or higher. A number of programs, in their effort to make certain their students meet their requirements, will require that you take specified evaluation exams (such as COMPASS, for example).
It’s also necessary to take note that as an EMT, you will often be in connection with a number of individuals — both at the scene of an accident and inside medical centers or other medical facilities. This means that you’re expected to be in very good overall health.
To verify that, you’ll probably be asked to supply a record of a recent physical examination. Combined with the physical, you’ll be required to supply evidence that you’ve received several booster shots. The list of required vaccinations may differ somewhat, but will very likely involve proof of a current Tuberculosis immunization, along with Hepatitis, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
As soon as you’re accepted into an EMT school, you can expect to get somewhere around 100 hours of focused training. While training is often performed in the classroom, you may also get your training in the field (on an ambulance, for example) or in medical settings (inside a medical center or medical facility).
In contrast, while EMT training can last approximately 100 hours, people curious about becoming a paramedic can expect to receive 1,300 hours of education.
After you graduate from your EMT training course (which will likely take anywhere from 3-6 months on average), you’ll most likely wish to take the NREMT examinations.
The NREMT certifies EMT and paramedics on a national level. Though holding national certification by itself doesn’t authorize one to truly operate in the state of their choosing, the aim of the NREMT is to verify that that all EMS employees in charge of handling patients are capable to work.
The NREMT examinations include a computer adaptive test and a skills test. After you pass these exams, (and ready to operate as an EMT), you’ll then need to fill out an application for a state EMT license.
To receive a state license, you’ll need to apply to the EMS agency in your local area. The application procedure can quite often be as easy as providing some mandated documents to the agency for review, or as complicated as taking an obligatory state exam to secure your license.
The moment both your EMT certification and state license have actually been acquired, you’re then able to seek out employment and ultimately get hired as an EMT.
If you’re still interested in learning more about EMT training, or are even ready to learn about paramedic training, be sure to visit Paramedic Training Spot to acquire more helpful information on both noble careers in Emergency Medical Services.
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