EMT classes??

[klinzou]

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My school offers an EMT-Basic/IV course for $650 and an EMT-IV course for $150 for those already basic cerftified. I'd just like to know is it worth it to pay the money and get the certification? What exactly can you do with a Basic/IV cert?? I'd like to maybe be a paramedic during the summers in my last 2-3 years of college and I just didn't know how to go about it? Any help?

 

[Ramoray]

Well i dont think you are going to be a paramedic as they take 2 years of school that is extremely intense, and you need your basic EMT and a few others to gain acces to paramedic school. WIth your basic EMT you can look for a job in an ambulence, however usually only one EMT rides with 2 paramedics, so its a bit tough. The other commong thing that it allows you to do is go work as a tech in an ER, which is good experience. good luck

 

[Mik118]

Def. take an EMT class i have been an EMT for 4 years now and it has totally changed my life i have gained life skills that you will prolly never learn as a resident in any hospital furthermore, after working on an ambulance i know what the patient looked like way before he or she was brought to the hospital because i was one of the first on scene!!!! so taking your EMT would greatly benefit you

 

[beanbean]

Hi. I have been an EMT and EMS instructor in CT for many years. Each state is different in its EMS regulations, but many recognize the national standard for EMT training (NREMT). Contact your state's Department/Office of Emergency Medical Services, mostly likely a division of the Department of Health. They can give you info on teh type of certifications available to you in your area.

In CT we have 4 levels of certification:

MRT - medical response technician (first responder) ~40 hour class

EMT- Basic ~120 hour class

EMT- Intermediate ~80-100 hour class plus EMT class

EMT- Paramedic ~1-2 year program

A basic ambulance service in my region rides with a minimum 2 EMTs or an EMT and MRT. An ALS unit can have an EMT-I and EMT-B or EMT-P (if it is a paramedic unit). Volunteer services often ride with 3 techs, paid services stick to the minimum staffing. Each service has its own rules regarding observers. At the very least, all observers must have CPR, Haz Mat and Blood Bourne Pathogen training.

Volunteering for an ambulance or rescue squad can be a good way to go. Many volunteer organizations will reimburse you for your tuition if you volunteer for them for a minimum time (6 months to 1 year usually).

Call around to some ambulance services in your area and find out what type of opportunities are available in your area.

It is a great experience and there are some really amazing people in EMS.

 

[manicmaven]

If you are currently in college and don't have the time to go all the way through the EMT-P (it does take at least two years), I'd do the EMT Basic and EMT intermediate. Depending on the state, EMT-Is get to intubate (with a combie tube), start IVs and sometimes, in rural areas, be the lead EMT on the ambulance. I'd definitely recommend the experience. It has opened tons of doors for me. 😀

 

[H0mersimps0n]

I agree, if you are currently in UG, serious about medicine you will get sufficient exposure to patient care and medicine by being EMT basic. My girlfriend and I, both premeds, took the basic course together in a single semester. But even better than being a basic would be if you have a vol. core or agency you can join after getting that cert. I live by a good sized city and worked urban EMS all last summer with a company that gets about 200 calls a day. I saw close to 400 patients in 2 months, now THATS exposure and regardless of being basic or Paramedic you're still saving lives.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[PluckyDuk8]

Just wanted to add that the OP should research how he is going to use his EMT training once he gets it because these things vary in different geographical regions. I am finding in the Chicagoland area that the EMT-B can get pretty boring because all you can do with it around here is work with privates on a rig with other EMT-B's. If I want I can join in on the ALS rigs but that would be unpaid (unless the OP is wanting to this volunteer in the first place). I also volunteered in Israel and that was so much different for many reasons, but beyond the hecticness of the area it was because I was working in public EMS and got to work with medics and paramedics (there's a distinction between the two there). I am working this year full time as an EMT-B with the privates, and I still find it worthwhile and a lot of fun...it's just that it's different. Another thing, the EMT training could also get me a job as an ER tech in a few (but not all) Chicago area hospitals.

I'd be happy to answer any additional questions 🙂