EMT Training

EMT training is your first step in pursuing a career as  a paramedic. Before you can even start training as a paramedic, you must have completed an EMT training program. You must be person who thrives under high pressure situations.

You must not be put off by the sight of blood or unsightly scenes if you want to become a EMT or Paramedic. An EMT is usually a person who cares or have a lot of empathy towards others, since it’s you job to put others first. EMT generally responds to 911 calls and are with the paramedics the first at scene. They provide pre-hospital medical care and can often be the difference between life and death.

Your first step in becoming an EMT is to take an EMT training program which will certify you as an EMT. You can find such programs in most 2-year community colleges, universities or technical schools.

EMT training requirements are:

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent
• At least 18 years of age in the month you become certified.
• Drug test, including screening for tuberculosis and hepatitis B
• A physical examination
• Criminal Background Check

If you get accepted, you would want to know that there are 3 levels of EMTs. The levels are: EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate and EMT-paramedic. The levels varies in the amount of training that each level requires of the candidate.

EMT-basic will provide the candidate the fundamental teachings on how to provide emergency medical care. All higher level EMTs are trained from the basics taught in EMT-basic. EMT-basic training classes will cost around 400-900$, the duration varies from 4 to 6 months.

EMT-intermediate is the next level and expands further on the teachings in EMT-basic. You can expect to be required to complete 250-300 training hours. After the program you will have the ability to perform intravenous cannulation, endotracheal intubation and administer a selection of medicine.

The highest level of EMTs is the mentioned EMT Paramedic. It will take 2-semesters to complete, around 2 years. You can expect to have to go through 1,500-2000 hours of training. You will be able to perform all the duties of lower level EMTs as well as dealing with airway management, oxygen therapy, shock treatment and handling sophisticated medical tools. A Paramedic is usually the leader in ambulance runs and have a lower level EMT as their partner.

Tags: emt, emt courses, emt training, emt-basic, emt-intermediate, emt-paramedic

By Jack in Paramedic Training in Alabama on December 13, 2011