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Emergency Medical Technician Schools and Information
One of the most stable career paths in a tough economy is to focus on anything that relates to health care.
The new Health Care law that was passed by Congress in 2010, which may or may not ever take effect, has certainly had some intial impact on the
various files of study within the areas of Emergency Medical Care and vertually every other segment of the Health Care Industry. What is a bit
surprising is that career colleges that offer courses for training as an EMT have noticed and uptick in enrollments as displaced workers
look to new areas of earning opportunities. One of the upside of the "econonomic downturn" is that many of those who have lost jobs that they somehow just
"ended up in." are now taking a closer look at thier own financial futures and placing "satisfaction in the workplace" as a higher priority than in
previous decades. One reason for this is that many job seekers indicate that "never really got the chance to persue their chosen field." Now is the time!
Amid layoffs and downsizing there are still areas where employment is actually on the rise and the opportunites for those with certifications as Emergency Medical
Technicians have the keys to a bright future. If you are interested in more information about how Gyl.com and our team of consultants can assist you in reaching
your goals and want to work in an excting environment, perhaps driving an Ambulance for a medical response team or even working on a life-flight helicopter
please contact usand we will help you get started with one of our affilliates.
There are of course many jobs for an EMT. Primairly, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is trained to help give emergency care
in a wide spectrum of situations from CPR to child birth. In some areas local
police officers and firefighters are trained as EMTs. Certification is issued
at the state level usually by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services.
A private organization called the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
(NREMT) provides the main exams for certification used in 46 states.
There are four levels of EMT, as determined by The United States Department of Transportation.
The career course of an EMT begins with a basic level followed by two intermediate levels.
The highest level of certification for an EMT is Paramedic. While the first three levels
require hundreds of hours of training, the Paramedic level requires at least a thousand
hours of training.
Generally, a high school diploma is required to enter a training program to become an EMT or paramedic. Workers must complete a formal training and certification process.
Education and training
A high school diploma is usually required to enter a formal emergency medical technician training program. Training is offered at progressive levels: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic.
At the EMT-Basic level, coursework emphasizes emergency skills, such as managing respiratory, trauma, and cardiac emergencies, and patient assessment. Formal courses are often combined with time in an emergency room or ambulance. The program provides instruction and practice in dealing with bleeding, fractures, airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and emergency childbirth. Students learn how to use and maintain common emergency equipment, such as backboards, suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems, and stretchers. Graduates of approved EMT-Basic training programs must pass a written and practical examination administered by the State certifying agency or the NREMT.
At the EMT-Intermediate level, training requirements vary by State. The nationally defined levels (EMT-Intermediate 1985 and EMT-Intermediate 1999) typically require 30 to 350 hours of training based on scope of practice. Students learn advanced skills such the use of advanced airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications.
The most advanced level of training for this occupation is EMT-Paramedic. At this level, the caregiver receives training in anatomy and physiology as well as advanced medical skills. Most commonly, the training is conducted in community colleges and technical schools over 1 to 2 years and may result in an associate’s degree. Such education prepares the graduate to take the NREMT examination and become certified as a Paramedic. Extensive related coursework and clinical and field experience is required. Refresher courses and continuing education are available for EMTs and paramedics at all levels.
Licensure
All 50 States require certification for each of the EMT levels. In most States and the District of Columbia registration with the NREMT is required at some or all levels of certification. Other States administer their own certification examination or provide the option of taking either the NREMT or State examination. To maintain certification, EMTs and paramedics must recertify, usually every 2 years. Generally, they must be working as an EMT or paramedic and meet a continuing education requirement.
Other qualifications
EMTs and paramedics should be emotionally stable, have good dexterity, agility, and physical coordination, and be able to lift and carry heavy loads. They also need good eyesight (corrective lenses may be used) with accurate color vision.
Advancement
Paramedics can become supervisors, operations managers, administrative directors, or executive directors of emergency services. Some EMTs and paramedics become instructors, dispatchers, or physician assistants; others move into sales or marketing of emergency medical equipment. A number of people become EMTs and paramedics to test their interest in health care before training as registered nurses, physicians, or other health workers.
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